Ralph Hasenhuttl
Ralph Hasenhuttl heaped praise on the “super football intelligence” of Kyle Walker-Peters and said he reminded him of legendary full-back Philipp Lahm. With forward Mohamed Elyounoussi replaced by right-back Tino Livramento, Walker-Peters was deployed higher up the pitch as a number 10 during the latter stages, as part of Hasenhuttl’s 4-2-2-2 system. Asked about the adjustment post-match by the Daily Echo, Hasenhuttl insisted the move could also be “something for the future”.
Ralph Hassenhuttl said: “We brought Kyle on the 10, a good opportunity and the first time we did it this way. I think this can be also something for the future. Kyle is an unbelievably smart footballer with a super football intelligence. He plays, left-back, right-back and now on the 10. In the sessions sometimes he plays six also, so he can play every position. He remembers me a little bit of Phillipp Lahm I must say, because he is so good on the ball, he always has good decisions. He can run and makes nearly any mistakes. He is getting better and better and this is what you need on this position.”
German legend Lahm is regarded as one of the best full-backs of his generation, as well as also playing in midfield, having won eight Bundesliga titles and a Champions League with Bayern Munich. He also won the World Cup with Germany as captain in 2014. Saints sealed a 1-1 draw against United, thanks to Che Adams’s second-half goal cancelling out Jadon Sancho’s opener.
