Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is pleased with how the Manchester United players are adjusting to his tactical demands and claims United started in his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation in the draw with City. United lined up with Paul Pogba on the left-hand side in what was deemed a midfield diamond by some and a 4-3-3 by others, with Bruno Fernandes pushed higher up the pitch. However, Solskjaer corrected a reporter who suggested United had reverted to a diamond against City, having lined up with a back three in their previous game at RB Leipzig. Sheffield United play with a defensive tilt and Solskjaer matched their formation at Bramall Lane last year but The Blades are winless and at the foot of the Premier League table after 12 games.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said “What was the change in formation? It was a 4-2-3-1 and coming into that pocket is probably Paul’s favourite position. I think Paul did well, the team’s shape was as it normally is. I think twice we’ve played with three at the back; we beat PSG in one of them and unfortunately lost to Leipzig. We played a full game against Leipzig at home with a diamond, we played two half games in a diamond, so four out of about 20 games isn’t too bad for consistency with our normal shape. That’s what we work on, more or less, every day. Some details will change within the same system, of course. If you have Dan James on the left wing compared to Paul Pogba, it’s a different scenario. Or Marcus Rashford on the right wing compared to Juan Mata. So sometimes you look at the opposition and where we need players with different qualities. And they’re coping well with it.”
