Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
