Premier League 2019/20: Manchester United 1-0 Leicester City, five tactics by Solskjaer that won the game

#2 Keeping James Maddison and Jamie Vardy at bay

Manchester United v Leicester City - Premier League

Jamie Vardy is one of the most clinical strikers in the league and Solskjaer was aware that the Englishman could not be afforded an inch in the box. Similarly, James Maddison was another player who had the ability to open up the best of defenses and in order to keep Leicester City quiet, Solskjaer knew that he had to keep both players out of the game. And the Norwegian was largely able to do so.

Harry Maguire stayed close to Jamie Vardy and did not allow his former teammate any room in the final third. Vardy was not given the freedom to turn or run at the United defense and he had an unusually quiet game. James Maddison, on the other hand, was also denied room to operate, as Nemanja Matic was stationed a little deeper, in the area between the line of the midfield and the defense that the Englishman likes to float into. Apart from one mistake in the opening stages which allowed Maddison to have a shot on target, the Englishman was largely a spectator on the field. As a result, Vardy’s supply line was cut off.

By managing to keep two of Leicester City’s biggest threats at bay, Solskjaer masterminded United’s narrow win.

#1 Compact defending

Manchester United v Leicester City - Premier League

Manchester United had taken the lead in each and every one of their games in the Premier League before the tie against Leicester City. However, apart from the Chelsea game, the Red Devils had failed to hold on to that lead. As such, when Rashford put them ahead in the 8th minute, there were fears that it could be a repeat of the same story once again. Thankfully though, Solskjaer had other ideas.

The Red Devils had a degree of tenacity about them at the back, which proved to be the difference between the two sides. United was put under tremendous pressure right until the final whistle, however, the home side managed to keep things compact at the back and had an answer for everything that Leicester City tried.

It was just the way Solskjaer had set his team up that helped seal the deal. The backline stayed narrow, while the midfielders dropped down to close any gaps at the back. The whole team worked as a well-drilled defensive unit and that helped Manchester United win the game.

Harry Maguire had a great game against his former team.