Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will become a better team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
