Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When you criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
