Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
