Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a different time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a better side because when all the players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
