Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a different time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a better team because when all the players are available, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe 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 leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
