Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury 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, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. 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 born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
