Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, 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 anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players 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.
