Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We will become a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable 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 duty.
