Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When you discuss changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
