Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We will become a stronger squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
