Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury 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 boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
