Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
