Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the closing phase as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
