Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Now is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of 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."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
