Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
