Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
