Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct time. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
