Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to 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 let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
