Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his side held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to become a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total 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 among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. 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 leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
