Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
