Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a better side because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow 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 be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
