Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Now is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We are going to become a better team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
