Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dramatic formation shift was described as a “last throw of the dice” by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville ahead of Manchester United’s crucial trip to Tottenham.
By full-time, it seemed as though the under-pressure United manager had come up with a winning formula, which covered for his team’s weaknesses and enhanced their strengths.
After last weekend’s 5-0 thumping by Liverpool left United way off the pace in the Premier League, and with Tottenham and Manchester City to play before the international break, Solskjaer’s future was on the line.
His response was to overhaul the set-up.
Solskjaer went to a three-man defence, with the fit-again Raphael Varane in alongside Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof. Defensive midfielders Scott McTominay and Fred remained in the centre of the park, with Edinson Cavani forming a front two with Cristiano Ronaldo, with Bruno Fernandes just behind.
Manchester United’s 3-4-1-2 formation against Tottenham
“This is one of the most defensive Man Utd teams I think I’ve ever seen,” said Neville before the game. “It’s a poor reflection on the more talented players in the squad that he can’t trust them to do the work without the ball.”
But by recognising those shortcomings, Solskjaer managed to find a short-term solution.
A dangerous combination in attack
In attack, Fernandes, Cavani and Ronaldo combined brilliantly.
It was Fernandes’ excellent floated pass which Ronaldo expertly volleyed in for the opener. It was a classy finish from United’s No 7 – but positionally he benefited by having a strike partner in Cavani.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after volleying United in front
“I watched Ronaldo at the back post and his movement is special,” said Neville. “That shuffle to the left to get onside, then the movement in behind. The pass is perfect. Can he finish? It’s wonderful from Cristiano Ronaldo. A special goal. There’s only one place he can put it.
“It’s a brilliant goal. We talked about the impact on Bruno of Ronaldo but they’ve connected there.
“Ronaldo has to have a partner. He has to have someone up there with him. This system allows that.”
For the second, Fernandes was again key, winning the ball back off Oliver Skipp. But from there it was the link-up between Ronaldo and Cavani which tore Spurs apart.
“That little Cruyff turn past Skipp and that pass [from Ronaldo]. That run, that finish [from Cavani]. World class.
“We’ve seen two really special goals from Man Utd. Cavani deserved that goal but he can owe it to his team-mate and strike partner Cristiano Ronaldo. That pass is absolutely wonderful before he dinks it over Hugo Lloris.”
A solid foundation
Behind that front three, United – with more bodies in defence – formed a much tighter unit than they had against Liverpool. The yawning holes in their backline that their rivals exploited last weekend were nowhere to be seen on Saturday.
Tottenham did not land a shot on target.
