Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
