Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a different time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy 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 at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
