Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars 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 expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
