Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects 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."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
