Time is optimal to switch Man Utd's formation - the manager states.
Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us become a stronger squad because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch 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 carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.