Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
