Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
