Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We will become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
