Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe 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. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
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, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
