Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
