Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an standard back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
