The case has been the same at Manchester United for the past couple of years as Solskjaer’s job is under threat after a poor result for the Red Devils. United lost a poor game against RB Leipzig and crashed out of the Champions League which will be a dent to the club. Next up for the Red Devils, the noisy neighbors make the short trip to Old Trafford in this season’s first Manchester derby.
The Red Devils have had the upper hand over Manchester City in the past couple of years. The squad will be keen to win again against their age-old rivals and put the loss at RB Leipzig behind. All eyes will be on Solskjaer as he will have to take some tough decisions for the starting XI.
Let us now have a look at how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might set up his Manchester United side against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Premier League.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 was extensively used by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season and the Norwegian has also used it this season because of the centre-backs. Solskjaer has got the better of Pep Guardiola in the recent past as Manchester United have defended very well in the Manchester United and hit on the counter-attack. Fred and Van de Beek will be expected to be the midfield pivot with McTominay also a possibility.
Solskjaer will surely try once again to use the same tactic, but City have had a bad start to the season and don’t look like the same team that won back-to-back titles. Cavani and Martial will be expected to be back in the United squad and Shaw is likely to make it to the starting XI. Maguire and Lindelof were once again poor against Leipzig and Tuanzebe might get a chance against the noisy neighbours this weekend.
Bruno Fernandes will again be Manchester United’s hope for scoring and creating goals like he has been since joining the club.
THE 4-4-2(DIAMOND)
With such an array of talent in the midfield department to choose from, Manchester United have done well with the midfield diamond system. Donny Van de Beek has barely put a foot wrong since coming in summer and has shown his class for the Red Devils. The problem with such a system has been the defensive midfielder, as neither of Matic or McTominay are good enough in the position.
But United need to be compact with such a system as the City players will thrive if they get space in the midfield. Fred will be instrumental for the Red Devils if they have to win the game as the Brazilian’s tenacity will be an asset against Guardiola’s side.
THE 3-5-2
Solskjaer has used the 3-5-2 to great use for the Red Devils in the big games and it has generally worked for the team. But against RB Leipzig it went horribly wrong as it was clear from the onset that the Red Devils weren’t set up the right way. RB Leipzig scored a couple of goals in the first 20 minutes and that is mainly where the game was lost.
But still there is a possibility for Solskjaer to use this system as he has successfully used it to outsmart Pep Guardiola a couple of times.
