Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a win - 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 adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
