Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the final stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.