Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
