This can be Ole’s tactical blueprint for title challenge
“BE the best version of ourselves,” was the message Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sent to his players before United’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
It was a response to the inevitable questions about the 6-1 defeat United had suffered at the hands of Spurs back in October — amid the ‘revenge’ narrative Sky Sports were desperately peddling before kick off — but it was also said with the confidence of 22 unbeaten away league games behind him, and with the knowledge that his team are now officially the comeback kings.
Invariably the best version of United comes away from home, often against teams inclined to push forward. More often than that, it will include a fightback from a goal down. Nobody wins more points from losing positions.
But even for United’s standards, their second half comeback at Spurs was special.
It was remarkable for all the right reasons, the flip side to some of the flaky and fortunate away wins that have let United off the hook during this run — which now stands at 23 away league games, dating back 15 months.
However, even though United had appeared to score a legitimately good goal through Edinson Cavani in the first half against Spurs (before VAR took over), they created precious little else.
Paul Pogba had been impressive, albeit in a wide position, and impatient supporters were calling for changes, including shifting the Frenchman to midfield.
Solskjaer, however, often likes to give the incumbent players the chance to turn things around, and he deserves credit for sparking a dramatic improvement in United’s performance after the break.
He suggested the palpable anger and injustice United were feeling after Cavani’s disallowed goal had been the catalyst for such a remarkable turnaround.
“That kick-started us,” Solskjaer said. “[Before the goal] we had played like a team who had played in Europe on a Thursday night.”
However, to put the 3-1 victory solely down to an angry team showing their mettle is actually doing a disservice to United on this occasion.
They discovered an attacking formula that has been rarely seen against the ‘big six’ teams this season, on display with the quick passing and moving for Fred’s brilliant equalising goal, and again as Cavani eventually got on the scoresheet with an expert header, from Greenwood’s cross.
The feeling that prompted United’s attacking verve must be harnessed and remembered. This should be the tactical blueprint to take forward into next season’s title challenge; the document Solskjaer hangs on the wall at Carrington to prove United can mix it with the very best.