Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
