Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When media discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
