Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players 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 duty.
Maya Chen is a tech journalist and lifestyle blogger with over a decade of experience covering digital trends and cultural shifts.
