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EnglishKyriakos Panayiotou | Defence
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Ole Gunnar Solskjær is now the first Manchester United manager, after Sir Alex Ferguson, to accomplish two wins against Manchester City. With a 70% possession, the recently Carabao Cup Champions originally appeared to be in full control; however, it was obvious that the men in red had more to say in controlling the game out of possession. The first goal for Manchester United came from a free kick, as Manchester City’s defense in the 30th minute was switched off as Fernandes played a cute and clever chip into the run of Manchester United striker; Martial. Martial needed only one touch to strike low. The second goal scored on the 96th minute from a distribution of Manchester City goalkeeper; Ederson that went straight to the feet of the Manchester United midfielder; McTominay who finished from a distance on his second touch.
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The lineups were straight forward, with Manchester United in a 3-4-1-2 formation and a deep 5-2-3 defense formation. This allowed an extra player in the wide channels when Manchester City was able to get the ball to the pacey wingers.
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Manchester City lined up in 4-3-3 formation and during possession the left back; Zinchenko was moving into the midfield area, to support the build-up play, whilst the defensive midfielder; Rodri was man-marked by the attacking midfielder of Manchester United; Bruno Fernandes. The striker; Aguero was dropping in the midfield to create space for the two-attacking midfielders; Gundogan and Bernando Silva. This resulted to receive the ball wide and high in the half-space. Additionally, the two wingers; Foden and Sterling stayed high and wide to stretch Manchester United’s defensive line.
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Manchester City was intended on creating even numbers (2v2, 1v1), or numerical advantage (2v1, 3v2) in wide areas to take advantage of their creative and attacking players like Raheem Sterling. However, with Manchester United’s defensive setup it was difficult for them to do so. When the ball was passed to the Manchester City Winger; Sterling and supported by Gundogan, the Right wing back of Manchester United; Bisakka immediately closed him down and was supported by the extra center back; Lindelof and the defensive midfielder; Fred in case of Sterling was able to cut inside. Therefore, they formed defending situations of 3v2 in the wide areas and 3v1 in the penalty box. Manchester United’s forward; James deliberately stayed behind the play and wide enough, where he was not picked up by Zinchenko and not too high where Otamendi will be able to pick him up, preparing him for the counterattack.
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Furthermore, sometimes Manchester United defended high in the wide areas with the defensive line (except the opposite wing back; Williams), midfielders; Fred, Matic, Fernandes and the striker; James shifting on the strong side of the pitch to minimise space for Manchester City, creating an 8v6 situation. Hence, James and Martial were available for quick counterattacks as they waited in the open space of the outside channels.
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This defending tactical strategy, helped Manchester United to be organised in the defense and ready for counterattacks, created chances but they didn’t manage to score a goal from a counterattack.
