Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Issues Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
