Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
