Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase 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 match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
