Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct time. We lack a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Persist
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
