Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When media criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
