Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name 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 problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
