Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to field an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
