Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete side because when all the players return, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
