Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury 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 clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
