Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media discuss altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We will grow into a more complete team because when all the players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
