Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the players return, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - 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 lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
