Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stated that it is not possible to expect the youngsters at the club to play “tippy-tappy” football in the manner of Manchester City at this stage of their development period.
The Red Devils produced one of their best displays of the season in Thursday’s Premier League encounter against Newcastle United, coming from a goal down to earn all three points in a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford.
French forward Anthony Martial scored a brace, while teenage sensation Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford were also on target after Matty Longstaff had given the traveling side a 17th-minute lead.
United have often struggled to break down more defensive opposition this term, but the Solskjaer believes that the win over Newcastle shows their style can work against teams that decide to sit back deep.
While speaking to reporters after the convincing win over Steve Bruce’s team, the 46-year-old admitted that he is confident that the United faithful are aware of the style of football the club play and which direction the club is moving towards, “I think it’s been said in no uncertain terms what type of team we are, Supporters know what we expect and know when we are at our best. We showed that on Thursday and, even though we went a goal down, heads didn’t drop. We have to make it hard to play against us.
However, the Norwegian also claimed that United will be unable to match local neighbors Manchester City’s style of football at this particular moment in time, “We can’t play tippy-tappy football and can’t, at this moment in time, play like City – and only City can do that. We have to show more energy, drive and urgency, plus selflessness in every single game. That’s the way we have to play at the moment.
