So, Solskjaer does actually know what he’s doing at Man United.
Manchester United were able to grind out a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became the first United manager ever to win his first six games in charge.
A goal from Marcus Rashford late in the first half was enough, as a sloppy pass from Kieran Trippier gifted Paul Pogba with the opportunity to play Rashford into space, and the 21-year-old made no mistake, driving the ball back across Hugo Lloris into the bottom corner. Rashford’s finishing is just one of many improvements Solskjaer has made to this side, and today it made all the difference.
In a match dripping with narrative, Solskjaer executed his tactical plan to perfection, matching Tottenham’s midfield diamond in the first half, allowing Rashford and Anthony Martial to exploit the channels, before adjusting to a 4-2-3-1 in the second half as Spurs were forced to due to an extremely inconvenient injury to Moussa Sissoko.
In past meetings between these two sides, United have – unsuccessfully – dropped off, allowing Spurs to attack them, hoping to pick them off on the counter. Under new management, that tactic is only reserved for times when it is absolutely necessary. Now, they want to be protagonists, which showed in a very open first half.
In the second, though, United had no option but to drop back, as Spurs poured forward in their numbers, taking 21 shots at goal. Were it not for David De Gea, United could well have lost this game by several goals, but United’s number one reminded us why he is one of, if not the best goalkeeper in world football as he made 11 saves with his superhuman reflexes.
For Spurs, it was a frustrating afternoon, as they slipped further behind Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race, losing another midfielder to injury in the process. But Mauricio Pochettino continues to work miracles with limited resources in comparison to his direct rivals.
The concern that followed Moussa Sissoko’s injury is a testament to the work that Pochettino has done with the Frenchman, converting him from a punchline into an integral part of the squad. Eric Dier’s return can’t come soon enough for the Argentine, who must be itching to rotate his knackered midfield.
As ever, this game came down to very fine margins, with neither side disgracing themselves, but it was United who came out on top despite not being at their very best. Just like old times.
At the final whistle, two United players – Ashley Young and Ander Herrera – went straight to De Gea to congratulate the Spanish ‘keeper.
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