Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
