Europa League 2019-20: 5 tactics from Solskjaer that won Manchester United the game against FC Astana

As the referee blew the whistle at the end of the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had quite a few reasons to be happy.

The Norwegian had arrived at the game with at least four of his first-team stars missing due to injury; Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Daniel James were all out of the first group stage game of the UEFA Europa League.

The Red Devils had failed to impress since their 4-0 opening day victory over Chelsea, and had scraped past Leicester City the previous weekend to get their first win in four games. Solskjaer would have been desperate to maintain the momentum but had to make wholesale changes to his team, keeping in mind Sunday’s trip to face West Ham.

Solskjaer started with Sergio Romero in goal, while Diogo Dalot, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and Marcos Rojo made up the back four. In the midfield, the Norwegian opted for Fred alongside Nemanja Matic, who was also the skipper for the night, while Angel Gomes operated in the No. 10 role. The front three consisted of Tahith Chong, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood.

Despite starting the game very well, United failed to find a breakthrough in the first half. However, Greenwood scored the winner after the break and helped United start the UEFA Europa League on a high.

Here is a look at five tactics from Solskjaer that won the game.

#5 Team selection

Manchester United v FK Astana: Group L - UEFA Europa League

Solskjaer had a selection dilemma ahead of the game. Apart from the fact that he was missing several of his key players, the Norwegian also had to ensure that he had his first team fit and ready for the weekend’s game against West Ham United.

As such, he made nine changes to the team that won against Leicester City - and he was spot on with those changes.

The center-back pairing of Jones and Tuanzebe did the job well, with the latter in particular impressing on the night. Dalot and Rojo were tireless throughout, lighting up the wings. The midfield duo of Fred and Matic stayed in control, while the front four gave Astana all sorts of trouble.

By getting his team selection right, the Norwegian won half the battle before the first kick of the game.

#4 Winning the midfield battle

Solskjaer made quite a few changes to his team but knew that he needed a strong backbone in the middle of the park to take control of the proceedings. He opted for Fred alongside Nemanja Matic in a double pivot, which allowed young Angel Gomes the freedom to join the attack and impact the game in the final third.

While Gomes excelled in his role, it was the deep-lying midfielders who won the battle in the center of the park for United.

The Norwegian had clear instructions for both players. Matic shielded the defense well and was calm under pressure. United needed his experience to stay on top, and the Serbian also ventured forward to increase the number in attack.

Alongside Matic, Fred enjoyed another impressive outing. The Brazilian was assured on the ball and picked out his passes very well. He switched play, kept the ball moving and even came up with a thunderous volley in the early stages.

The two of them helped United stay in control in the midfield, which went a long way towards winning the game.

#3 Pressing football

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has always demanded a very high work ethic from Manchester United ever since he has taken up the job. One of the key features of his tactics is a high press, which requires tremendous commitment from the players.

Despite making quite a few changes to his first team, Solskjaer stayed true to his pressing brand of football and it worked wonders.

Every player on the pitch closed down the opposition with intent and did not allow the visitors the time and space on the ball to take control of the game. Astana were put under so much pressure that they failed to string together enough passes and repeatedly lost possession.

Apart from a spell in the second half the home team was rarely troubled, because they did not allow their opponents a moment of respite. Solskjaer’s high-energy pressing football ultimately helped the Red Devils gather all three points on the night.

#2 Wing play

There was a refreshing change in United’s tactics against Astana. Previously this season, Solskjaer was guilty of having a one-dimensional attack that lacked ideas in the final third. Against Astana though, there were very few complaints.

Manchester United created loads of chances, and only poor finishing let them down on the night. The biggest improvement was observed from the wings.

Early in the game, it was clear that United had planned to make the most of the wings. Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo regularly joined in the attack and stretched the Astana defense with their movement.

The Argentinean was especially impressive with his crosses and created at least four clear cut chances in the game. The visitors struggled to deal with the marauding full-backs, and United found a lot of joy through the sides.

By making use of the wings, Solskjaer stifled his opponents on the night which ultimately helped United win the game.

#1 Relentless attacking football

Manchester United had the lion’s share of possession on the night and they used it very well. The Red Devils dictated proceedings right from the start, but struggled to find a breakthrough.

They did create quite a few chances but were let down by the lack of precision from their attackers. Marcus Rashford was especially poor with his finishing on the night – the Englishman could have easily had a hat-trick of tap-ins.

But Solskjaer was not demoralized, and kept urging his team to strive for excellence. The Red Devils grew in confidence with every passing minute and there seemed to be a belief in them that a goal would eventually arrive.

It came in the 73rd minute after some brilliant individual play from Mason Greenwood, who scored through the goalkeeper’s legs to give United the lead.

The Red Devils ended the night with 20 shots, seven of which were on target. It was this relentlessness in their game plan that ultimately helped them win the game.

Edited by Musab Abid