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 moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a more complete squad because when all the players are available, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
