Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars 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.
