Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final phase as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when all the players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games before 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 seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting 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 Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured 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 continental duty.
