Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us become a better side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
