Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms 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 lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
