Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media discuss altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will become a stronger squad because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
