Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will become a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow 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 one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players 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 continental duty.
