Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
