Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to build an style. Currently is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when all the players are back, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
