Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the final phase as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, 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 captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
