Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to play with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media discuss changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a better side because when all the players return, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
