Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"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 journey," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We will become a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, 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 player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
