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Manchester United welcomed Southampton to Old Trafford on Sunday knowing very well that it was a game to boost their confidence ahead of a tricky Champions League tie. However, United were also competing for the much desired 4th place in the Premier League and as such, this game had a lot of significance.
United were 5th in the table, two points behind Arsenal at 4th place. Chelsea were 2 points behind at 6th but had a game in hand. As such, a win was vital in bolstering United’s chances to secure Champions League Football next season. Solskjaer had displayed terrific managerial skills since taking charge but faced a new challenge with many of his first team regulars missing through injury.
The Norwegian made just 2 changes to the team that secured a win over Crystal Palace in the midweek. Rashford came in for Dalot while Fred was replaced by Andreas Pereira. However, it was the away team who took the lead through a fantastic striker from Valery in the 26th minute. United looked off the pace in the first half but came back stronger after the break. Solskjaer's team drew level through a fantastic Pereira strike in the 53rd minute and then took the lead in the 59th minute through Lukaku's finish.
But, Southampton leveled the score through a perfect Ward-Prowse free kick in the 75th minute and had to count on Lukaku's fantastic winner in the 88th minute to complete a spectacular comeback. Pogba missed a penalty in injury time, but by then, United had all but secured the 3 points that took them to within 3 points of third-placed Tottenham Hotspurs.
It was another spectacular night at Old Trafford and Solskjaer deserves much credit for getting his tactics right in the second half. Here are the 5 tactics from the Norwegian which enabled United to secure a memorable comeback win.
#5. Dalot in a forward role
It was Solskjaer’s decision to bring on Dalot in place of the injured Sanchez that changed the tire of the game. The Chilean had been lively in the first half in a false 9 role but had failed to have any impact in the game. United were desperately short of motivation when he dropped down injured early in the second half and at one point, it looked like Solskjaer’s first defeat as the United manager was just around the corner.
Enter Diogo Dalot, a right back who was asked to play in a forward role. And almost instantly, the mood at Old Trafford had changed. The Portuguese used his speed exceedingly well, pinning back the Southampton defense and looked threatening every time he went forward.
Solskjaer chose Dalot to play the forward role when he also had Young in the team and it was this decision from the Norwegian that sparked off the comeback win.
#4. Attacking tactics
United looked a little off the pace in the first half as they failed to convert many chances that came their way. The players looked a little tired as well and they were punished when Southampton took the lead against the run of play.
With a goal down at half time, Solskjaer knew that he had to find a breakthrough early in the second half. However, the Norwegian refrained from making any changes at half time and continued to have faith in his team. He asked his team to move the ball faster and United started the second half brighter. The injury to Alexis Sanchez was a setback, but it proved to be a boon in disguise.
With Dalot in the team, Manchester United suddenly had a fluidity in attack. The young Portuguese hit the ground running and made an immediate impact on the field. United continued to be relentless in attack and were finally rewarded with two quickfire goals from Pereira and Lukaku. The Belgian went on to score the decisive winner late in the game as the United manager's relentless desire to attack won them the game.
#3. Switching to a back 3
After Dalot came into the team, United switched to a back three, with Young and Lindelof on either side of Smalling. From there on, Manchester United began dictating the game, as Lindelof started spraying passes from the deep end of the field. It also gave United the advantage of having an extra man while dealing with the Southampton offense and enabled the home side to be more adventurous.
With Dalot and Shaw playing as wing backs now, United had a delicious width to their game. Their speed and trickery was a handful for the away defense and on the counter, United piled the bodies forward. It was from one such counter that the home side drew level.
Pereira scored a stunning goal and then set up Lukaku in quick succession as United piled the pressure on the away side. However, Southampton got level and set up a frantic final few minutes. It was here that the security at the back enabled United to keep pushing and they finally were rewarded with Lukaku’s winner.
#2. Making subtle midfield changes
When his team lacked inspiration, Solskjaer decided to find it within his team. He realized that Pogba was heavily marked and decided to make an important change to his team. He pushed Andreas Pereira forward and asked Pogba to drop behind and carry out a more defensive role. The move turned out to be a masterstroke.
Pereira had an instant impact and his eye for the final pass gave Southampton a lot of trouble. United looked deadly at the counter with him pushed forward and on one such move, United had drawn level. Pereira took the ball as United pushed the bodies forward and even though he had quite a few options, unleashed an inch-perfect strike from outside the box that drew his team level. But he was not done yet, as he set up Lukaku next to score United’s second.
However, United’s high intensity and desire to catch the opposition off guard took a toll as the Brazilian looked tired. The Norwegian then brought on Fred and asked Pogba to push forward, enabling his team to keep the intensity going. It finally paid as Lukaku scored the decisive third goal.
#1. Continuing with Lukaku through the center
Romelu Lukaku has had his critics since joining United and there are many aspects of his game which do not appeal to quite a few United fans. The Belgian has a poor first touch and also has a tendency to miss chances. Since Solskjaer’s arrival, Lukaku saw his opportunities limited and was no longer the preferred candidate for the No. 9 role.
As such, with the game still out of reach for United, Solskjaer could have pushed Lukaku to the wings again. However, the Norwegian realized that the game required the Belgian’s power and finishing through the middle and decided to stick with him as the No.9, opting for a double strike force of Lukaku and Rashford. And it was that move that earned United all 3 points.
Lukaku showed exceptional finishing abilities on each of his two goals. There was precision written all over both strikes and it was also the timing of the goals that gave United a huge boost. The first gave them the lead in a vital moment of the game and the second was the lift that took them to fourth in the table.
