Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the closing stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better side because when all the players return, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
