Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
