Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the final phase as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to grow into a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders in every match."
Injury Crisis Persist
With just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
