Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable 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, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
