Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a more complete team because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
