Jose Mourinho must not emulate Liverpool's tactics in bid to delay Man City's title triumph

Here’s a look at some of the tactical talking points ahead of the Manchester derby.

UNITED MUST DEVISE THEIR OWN PLAN

Following Liverpool’s resounding 3-0 win over City on Wednesday, many have called for Jose Mourinho to emulate Jurgen Klopp’s tactics as the German enjoyed his seventh win over Pep Guardiola in 13 meetings.

However, United are not equipped to execute that kind of well-drilled high press and must devise their own strategy.

What has worked well for United is their pace in wide areas and they must utilise that to take advantage of City’s high defensive line particularly when their full-backs are pushed up – not unlike their use of Marcus Rashford against Liverpool.

Adding more energy in midfield to break forward when the opportunity comes about would be beneficial as well with Ander Herrera afforded a start or perhaps Jesse Lingard playing in a midfield three.

KEEP IT SIMPLE, PEP

City are set to win the Premier League title in style whether they do it against United or not. Much of that is down to Guardiola’s innovative tactics which have left many a side helpless this season.

However, amid the strategical derivations and eureka moments, every now and then, the Spanish tactician can get entangled in his own web. The deployment of Ilkay Gundogan on the right side of midfield against Liverpool with Kevin De Bruyne occupying the centre and Raheem Sterling left on the bench was curious.

Perhaps the idea was to afford Kyle Walker greater attacking freedom with Gundogan covering while also helping to dominate the midfield. It didn’t work. Against United, Guardiola should attempt to make things simpler for his already physically and mentally drained players.

PASSING LANES

As mentioned earlier, United cannot emulate Liverpool’s high-pressing game but they don’t have to be quite as passive as they normally are either.

While Mourinho likes to contain top opposition, resisting the temptation to close down their defenders on the ball, they can take steps to obstructing the passing lanes and forcing the Citizens into errors. United must take advantage of their relative freshness work hard further up the pitch.

While they don’t have to be overly aggressive so as to force a clearance or a back pass to the keeper, they can at least make it difficult for the ball to be played into central areas of the pitch from where City are so adept at building attacks.