Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
