Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
