Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an standard back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad 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. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
