Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when all the players return, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
