Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When media discuss altering the system all the time, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a better team because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things 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 Schedule for Key Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
