Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the closing phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct time. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot 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 manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We will grow into a better squad because when all the players return, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
