Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When media discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will become a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
