Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
