Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with different formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
