Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Persist
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
