Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with different formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. 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 job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
