Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the final stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with different setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a distinct time. We lack a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger side because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
