Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"When you talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to change.
"This will help us grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
