Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Persist
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
