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Manchester United travelled to Paris looking to do something that has never been done before - turning a 2 goal deficit around, away from the home, in the Champions League knock out stages. In the history of the tournament, no team has ever come back from a 2-0 home defeat, to progress into the next round.
Solskjaer perhaps had that statistics in the back of his mind, but it was the least of his concerns. United were missing Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic through injury and Paul Pogba was suspended from the second leg. To make matters worse, their replacements - Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez, were also injured. As such, United had brought along 6 academy youngster who might be full of spirit, but lacked experience at the highest level. It was no wonder that his team selection would be a big headache.
Solskjaer opted for a back four of Bailly, Smalling and Lindelof and Shaw. Young, McTominay, Fred and Andreas Pereira made up the new look midfield, while Lukaku and Rashford led the attack.
The away team had a fantastic start to the night, with Romelu Lukaku scoring in the second minute. It gave United the belief that anything was possible, but PSG equalized through Bernat in the 12th minute. However, Lukaku put the away team 2-1 up in the 30th minute. It started a frenzy on the field, as United just needed a goal more to progress on the basis of the away goal rule.
However, the goal eluded both sides, until the last moment of the game, when United got a penalty via VAR and Rashford blasted United home! The game ended 1-3 on the night in favour of United, 3-3 on aggregate and United progressed on the basis of three away goals.
United made history on the night, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer churned up a miracle that looked impossible before the game and here are 5 tactics from the Norwegian that won United the game.
#5 Maturity on the field
In the first leg against PSG at Old Trafford, the French Champions showed a degree of maturity that comes with age and experience. United’s relatively young team were undone by the cunning tactics from PSG seasoned warriors, who went to ground at the slightest invitation, wasted time and dictated the tempo of the game. United fell short of such maturity and composure and it cost them the game.
Solskjaer definitely took note of this as did his wards and United showed a degree of maturity at Paris. They inflicted the same tactics onto PSG, giving them a taste of their own medicine. United were clever in challenges and ensured that PSG never got any undue advantages from the 50/50s. There was just the right amount of tugging, the time wasting and hitting the ground after every challenge. It helped them unsettle the home team and kept them in course for a historic win.
Also see : Manchester Transfer News, EPL Transfer News
#4 Pressing Football
In the absence of many of his first man, Solskjaer knew that keeping up with PSG would be a huge task. He knew that his team had to fight for their lives on the field and that was what he asked his team to do.
The away team did start the game on a high press. However, after a good initial 5 minutes, the expectations of the night seemed to have got to the head of the young team. United looked nervy, backed away from the fight and allowed PSG to come at them without any challenge. They had lost their concentration and it allowed PSG to take control of the game.
However, the second goal seemed to have a galvanizing effect on the team and coupled with a smart substitution, United slowly clawed back into the game. PSG continued to threaten, but United rose to the fight. Scot McTominay was particularly impressive in the middle of the field and he led the charge for the away team.
United managed to continue the tempo after the break and gave themselves a fighting chance going into the dying moments of the game. It was enough to spark a fantastic comeback.
#3 Nullifying the initial weakness
Solskjaer went for the defensive solidity of Bailly alongside Smalling and Lindelof in the defense. There was an initial confusion regarding the formation. While it would appear from the team sheet that the Norwegian had gone for a back 3, in reality, Solskjaer had asked Bailly to do a job at right back, where he had expected the Ivorian’s strength and speed to make a mark.
But it was from the right side that PSG got most of the joy in the initial stages. Bailly looked unsure, Ashley Young did not support him well and United were extremely vulnerable there. PSG’s goal in the first half also arrived from a defensive lapse from Bailly, who clicked off for a split second, allowing Bernat to score.
Solskjaer noticed this and immediately made a tactical change, bringing on Dalot for Bailly and restoring United to a proper back 4. With the young Portuguese manning the right side, the away team looked sharper and ended the first half on a stronger note.
It was Dalot who made the most telling contribution to the game, when his shot hit Kimpembe on the hand and United got the all-important penalty which won them the game.
#2 Attacking Intent
In a vital away game with PSG threatening United at every moment, Solskjaer had the courage to bring in Dalot very early in the game for Bailly. It showed that the manager refused to sacrifice his attacking desires and it was this desire to take the game that won United the game.
Very few managers in the world would show the courage to bring on two teenager attacking players in the dying moments of the game, risking the vulnerability that came with the change. Solskjaer brought on Chong for Andreas Pereira and then replaced his skipper Ashley Young with Mason Greenwood. It was because he saw an opportunity to take the game to PSG late into the night, against tired legs.
The youngsters did their job, pinning the defence back and making United a threat on the counter. On one such move, Dalot's shot hit Kimpembe on the hand and referee awarded a penalty after consultation with VAR.
United did not lack any aggressiveness at any point in the match and that paid off despite the absence of senior and experienced players.
#1 Sticking with Lukaku as the No. 9
With Martial and Pogba missing, United were looking at Lukaku to inspire them with the goals. The Belgian had been in spectacular form of late, scoring a brace in both of his last two games. He had inspired United to a fantastic comeback win in the past weekend and as such, fans were praying that he could repeat the feat. And by the second minute, the Belgian had given them a ray of hope.
Noticing a short back pass, Lukaku, who was close on the heels of Thiago Silva, gave the Brazilian the slip, using his power and speed to barge past the PSG’s skipper. He got to the end of the ball, drifted past the onrushing Buffon and slid the ball home. The clock read two minutes. United had their inspiration!
However, Bernat equalized in the 12th minute and United looked short of confidence again. In stepped big Rom once more, following up on Rashford’s thunderous volley. Buffon let it slip from his hands and Lukaku made no mistake! Thanks to their No. 9, United went into the break 2-1 on the night and just a goal behind in aggregate. It made it easier for United to chase the game, gave them the confidence required, which finally took them through.
