Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media talk about changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
