Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We don't have a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
