Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering 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 setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once famously said that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us become a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
