Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When media criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
