Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will become a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a 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 captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
