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Solskjaer made late tweak in Man United defence to help defeat Tottenham

Manchester United picked up an emphatic victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Manchester United picked up an emphatic victory against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. (Photo by Phil Noble - Pool/Getty Images)

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a late tweak against Tottenham Hotspur by changing the position of Luke Shaw

According to The Athletic (Subscription Required) [h/t The Express], Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tweaked the position of Luke Shaw before the game against Tottenham Hotspur, which proved to be crucial.

The Red Devils produced an inspiring display against the North London club on Saturday evening as they hit three goals without a response. It was the club’s only 2nd clean sheet of the season – a much-needed one especially after shipping 15 goals in 9 games before that.

Moreover, the pressure was mounting on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who apparently only had the games against Spurs, Atalanta, and Man City to save his job at Old Trafford. He passed the first test with flying colours, partially thanks to a late tweak made by the Norwegian.

Luke Shaw was initially going to be the left-side centre-back against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Luke Shaw was initially going to be the left-side centre-back against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. (imago Images)

The Manchester-based outfit had reverted to a back-three formation but had Luke Shaw initially assuming the left-centre-back role, with Alex Telles providing the width as the left-wing back. 

However, Raphael Varane passed a late fitness test and played his first game after the international break in October due to the injury he picked up during national duty with France.

Shaw paid off Solskjaer’s decision to make the late change as he provided the ball to Bruno Fernandes, who set up the opener for Cristiano Ronaldo. Moreover, the English full-back also neutralised the threat of Lucas Moura and Emerson Royal, ensuring a clean sheet on the day.

Raphael Varane passed a late fitness test and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tweaked the line-up and shifted Luke Shaw to the left-wing-back position. (imago Images)
Raphael Varane passed a late fitness test and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tweaked the line-up and shifted Luke Shaw to the left-wing-back position. (imago Images)

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There have often been doubts regarding their manager’s tactical nous, his selection choices, and ability to make in-game changes. However, on Saturday, the 48-year-old hit back at his critics as he changed the formation, tweaked the line-up while his substitutes in Marcus Rashford & Nemanja Matic combined for the third goal on the night.

The Norwegian will now have his eye on the trip to the Stadium of Bergamo as the Red Devils take on Atalanta in a mouth-watering UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday night.

Written by Varun Pai

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