Game Review: United Back To Winning Ways

 GAME REVIEW AS MANCHESTER UNITED BEAT SPURS IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD

-Samarth Purohit

-Editor: Mitansh Kagalwala

Photo via: independent.co.uk

Tensions have been running high at Manchester United after the Red Devils faced a humiliating 5-0 loss to their biggest rivals in Liverpool. Fans, whom were already discontent with the manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer, called for him to be sacked immediately, and as a Manchester United fan, I wholeheartedly agreed with them. The club chose to let him manage against Spurs (possibly due to their poor form this season) and then make a decision for the remaining matches prior to the international break (The second UCL fixture against Atalanta, and the Manchester Derby). It was pretty much clear to all that if United left with less than 3 points on Saturday, Ole would be sacked.

Nuno himself has been facing a lack of support from Tottenham fans who proclaim him to be a worse version of former manager Jose Mourinho. Both teams had a poor run of form leading up to this match and it seemed clear that the losing manager would lose their job, leading fans to dub this "El Sackico".

Tactics:

Manchester United played with a 3-5-2, unlike the 4-2-3-1 that fans have come to expect from OGS. This formation proved to be the right one, as the results would show. However, it's important to note the Red Devils took around 30 minutes to get into their match winning form, possibly due to them having to adjust to the new formation. After they got used to it, the Manchester side dominated the game, as the Spurs side could not get one past the United defence, and on the rare occasion when they did, they couldn't convert the shot to a goal due to poor aim and David de gea's goalkeeping. The return of Varane revitalized the Reds, as him and Aaron Wan Bissaka held the defence firm, clearing shot after shot even in the opening minutes of the game. AWB made a particularly impressive tackle, when Heung Min Son was played through on goal, and looked set to score. Fernandes, Ronaldo and Cavani did whatever could be asked of them, getting 2 goals due to their involvements. (Fernandes had 1 assist, Cavani had a goal, ronaldo had 1 goal and an assist). Substitutes Matic and Rashford helped cement a 3-0 victory for the Reds.

Tottenham went into this game the way United did against Liverpool: looking helpless, as if they had already accepted defeat. They did create their chances, but were not able to put them away. Harry Kane was invisible, and continued his poor start to the season. The game threw Nuno’s competence further into doubt, with little explaining his decisions to start Ben Davies over Sergi Reguilon, and taking off Lucas Moura, who looked the most threatening player in white.

What this means:

OGS will continue to manage Manchester United for their next 2 fixtures, including the Manchester Derby next weekend. If this is a turnaround in form for the Norwegian manager is unknown but realistically speaking, I believe this match showed off 1 thing OGS may not have wanted it to: a system similar to the one managerial prospect Antonio Conte uses, with a back 3 and a counter attacking, aggressive defence. This may persuade the board to look into Conte as the man who could deliver a premier league title to Old Trafford once again. However, this win pushes OGS back into the safe zone, if only temporarily.

What should happen?

In my honest opinion, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has built the team up to essentially a super squad, but it is clear he can go no further. I would love to be proven wrong, but I fear the club legend has done all he can. Ajax coach Ten Hag is the best managerial signing Manchester United could make: he plays attractive, offensive football, is a highly tactical coach, and trusts young academy players; in other words, he's a perfect fit for the United philosophy. However, it is unlikely Ten Hag will leave Ajax before the end of the season, with links to Barcelona being stronger. Another option the Glazers could look towards is Brighton Manager Graham Potter, who has led what looked like an average Brighton team on paper to 5th in the Premier League Table, and Potter plays the United way as well. Further, Brendan Rodgers could be a potential option as well, although whether or not the ex-Liverpool man would make the switch to fierce rivals United is to be seen.

 

This is 1 win against a team desperately out of form. While great for morale at old Trafford and for Man United fans, OGS seems unlikely to be able to keep this up for his next few fixtures, the hardest ones in the league.

In all real matters, it is the Manchester Derby which will decide his fate. A heavy loss to Manchester City when he's already on such thin ice, would no doubt lead to new management at Old Trafford: which let’s face it, may not be such a bad thing for the Red Devils.

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