Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Today is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
