Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final stages as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will become a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars 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 anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
