Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
