Ole’s tactical switch aimed at heading off Zaha threat

OLE Gunnar Solskjaer admitted Diogo Dalot was partly selected to counter Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha in United’s Premier League win.

Solskjaer recalled Dalot, pictured, for his first start since the win at Fulham on February 9 but the 19-year-old right-back was played on the right wing as Ashley Young stayed in an unchanged back four in the 3-1 triumph.

United were limited in their options in attack after Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard suffered hamstring strains against Liverpool on Sunday and Marcus Rashford (ankle) was deemed fit only to make the bench at Selhurst Park.

Dalot created an excellent opportunity for Paul Pogba early in the second-half but was also tasked with defensive duties against former United winger Zaha and Palace left-back Patrick van Aanholt.

Solskjaer coached Zaha for five months during his loan spell at Cardiff from United and was pleased with how United dealt with him and fellow winger Andros Townsend.

“A little bit of a means to an end because of all the injuries we’ve got up front,” Solskjaer said of Dalot’s selection.

“But Diogo has played as a winger in Porto when he was younger.

“You could see he’s got skills going forward but, of course, he did help.

“Zaha and Van Aanholt are a good left side for Palace.

“They [Zaha and Townsend] are good players, individually they try to go inside, take you on one against one. But the focus in the defending was great.”