Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes 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' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"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 vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
