Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us become a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
