Pochettino caught off guard by Man United tactics but unfortunate in defeat

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Manchester United‘s remarkable run under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – perhaps improbably – continued with a 1-0 victory away to Tottenham on Sunday.

    Marcus Rashford’s strike from a superb Paul Pogba pass just before half-time proved to be enough for the visitors to secure a vital Premier League win and go level with fifth-placed Arsenal on points.

    Spurs threw everything at United in the second half but a phenomenal display from David De Gea kept them at bay.

    Here’s how Mauricio Pochettino fared in his ‘audition’ for the Old Trafford post.

    BASIC STATS

    30-SECOND REPORT

    Tottenham enjoyed plenty of possession to begin with but apart from one moment when Harry Winks stole in behind, never really threatened in the first half.

    Instead, they played a risky game at the back, allowing two v two or three v three scenarios for United to exploit in the transition and paid for it with Rashford’s goal. They were far better in the second and forced some sensational saves from De Gea but United always had a chance on the break.

    Spurs conceded when Rashford broke through.

    Spurs conceded when Rashford broke through.

    TACTICAL TALKING POINT

    Change in shape

    Pochettino’s switch in formation at half-time may have been slightly forced by the injury to Moussa Sissoko but it nevertheless was key to putting his side on the front foot at the start of the second period.

    Erik Lamela came on and Spurs moved from a diamond midfield to a 4-2-3-1. Christian Eriksen began to get on the ball more from a deeper role while Son Heung-min’s pace became more effective from wide.

    Even Dele Alli was more involved by playing in behind Harry Kane, getting into the box more often and testing De Gea on a number of occasions.

    Dele Alli had numerous chances in the second half.

    Dele Alli had numerous chances in the second half.

    VERDICT

    Pochettino came up against a very different United side he faced while Jose Mourinho was in charge and took some time to figure them out. He was left with no option but to go for broke in the second period and was unfortunate not to earn a draw.

    Rating 7/10

    Recommended