Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable 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 competition.
