Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Persist
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.