Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the final stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to experiment with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. 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 born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
