Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a more complete side because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players 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 international duty.
