Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the final phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule 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 - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
