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After securing a narrow win against Leicester City last weekend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had every reason to be optimistic. While his team had not been very impressive, the Red Devils had still managed to keep a clean sheet and earn 3 points against a very solid Leicester side. After securing another 1-0 win at home against Astana in midfield, United was looking ahead to Sunday’s game against West Ham United with renewed vigour.
The aim was clear – to earn the first away win since the month of March. However, Solskjaer was aware that it was not going to be easy. The Red Devils have been marred with injuries of late and Mason Greenwood was the latest player to be added to the list that also contained Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw. The Norwegian, however, was buoyed by the return of Daniel James, and he named an unchanged team, from the Leicester City game, for the tie.
United started the game well, but the home team found their footing as the game progressed. West Ham took the lead in the 44th minute through Andriy Yarmolenko and the game went into the break with the home side leading 1-0. In the second half, United tried to equalize but failed. To add to their woes, West Ham went 2-0 up in the 84th minute through Aaron Cresswell’s free-kick. The Hammers ultimately went on to win the game.
The Red Devils failed to improve their away record and here are 3 tactics from Solskjaer that lost the game.
#3 Team Selection
Solskjaer decided to continue with the same team that won against Leicester City, even though there were quite a few problems. The game against Astana in midweek had shown that United had the personnel in their squad to break open resolute defences.
However, while Solskjaer's team selection for the West Ham game was mostly justified keeping in mind United’s injury troubles, there was one decision that was questionable.
The Norwegian opted for Nemanja Matic in a double pivot alongside Scott McTominay, while Fred was on the bench. The Serbian’s presence slowed down United’s build-up play, while his lack of pace allowed the West Ham midfield to dominate the game.
Perhaps the Brazilian would have been a better choice from the start of the game, because after Fred replaced Matic late in the game, United looked more composed in the middle. The Brazilian also showed his passing prowess and closed down the opposition well, but it was all too little too late.
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#2 Lack of pressing
Since taking over at Manchester United, Solskjaer had tried to set his team out to press the opponents into submission all around the park. The Norwegian has continued to reply on that plan this season, however, against West Ham, Manchester United rarely pressed the ball and failed to close down the opponents on the pitch.
Against a West Ham side who gained confidence with every passing minute of the game, Manchester United needed to be proactive and alert on the field. Even though the Red Devils started the game well, they could not capitalise on that momentum.
The front line and the midfield failed to pile the pressure on the opposition and instead, allowed the home team time and space on the ball. This turned out to be the cause of the away side’s downfall. West Ham played their natural game and found a lot of joy going forward, whille United’s inability to press their opponents cost them the game.
#1 Lack of speed up top
One of the most important features of Solskjaer’s team has been a fast and fluid front line, which consists of players who break away at pace, interchange positions and strike at the heart of the opposition.
Even though he was without Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood against West Ham United, it was still expected that Solskjaer would prep his forwards to carry forward the same plan that had been successful for him before. However, that was hardly the case on the day.
All three of the Manchester United attackers were quite static in their positioning. While Andreas Pereira dropped down to combined with Juan Mata, Daniel James stayed put to the left side and failed to cut inside on his favoured right foot.
Marcus Rashford was ineffective through the middle and could have drifted wide to try his luck from the wings. There was no fast and fluid interchange among the front three and that enabled the West Ham backline to enjoy an easy day at the office.
