Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a more complete side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many 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 Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
