Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"When you 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 feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
