Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"This will help us become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Persist
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.