Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a different time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while 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 anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
