MANCHESTER UNITED fans were delighted to see some tactical tweaks during the first half of the Red Devils’ clash with Crystal Palace.
United fans have been calling for changes on the pitch after a fairly dismal start to the season – and Erik ten Hag may be listening.
APErik ten Hag made some noticeable changes to his side’s setup in the first half against Crystal Palace[/caption]
Ten Hag has been stubborn with his tactics since arriving at Old Trafford in 2022, but has been able to point at his two trophies in as many seasons to justify his decisions.
However, after two losses in their opening four games in the Premier League this term, the Dutchman has had a tinker with his side’s setup.
Most notably, Ten Hag appeared to instruct Diogo Dalot to make a change to his usual role at left-back.
Instead of playing it as a traditional full-back and dominating the flanks, Dalot was drifting into midfield and inverting to help out in central areas.
The role, used by other teams such as Arsenal and Man City, helped Dalot to have more of an impact on the game with fans claiming that the Potuguese defender was “like a new signing”.
Delighted supporters gushed about the tweak on social media, with one writing: “I’m crying, never seen Dalot invert this much. He’s legit playing alongside Mainoo”.
Another added: “Inverted Dalot, like a new signing”.
A third seemed in shock, asking: “Is Ten Hag inverting Dalot?!”
GettyDiogo Dalot was given a different role in the first half against Crystal Palace[/caption]
Sky SportsThe full-back was inverting much more[/caption]
Dalot’s touch map for the first half shows how much he tucked into the middle for the pitch
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And a fourth gushed: “Dalot world class, does anyone disagree anymore?”
Dalot’s role wasn’t the only change made by Ten Hag either.
The former Ajax man appeared to instruct his entire back line to step further up and play a much higher line that they usually do.
United’s deeper line often gives teams plenty of space to play in, but the new look tactic restricted Crystal Palace to very little space inbetween the lines.
That was emphasised by the fact the Eagles, who had the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ebere Eze playing up top, were only able to have one shot on target in the first half.
Of course, United were unable to find the back of the net either in the opening 45 minutes but looked the better of the two sides.
Man Utd played a high defensive line during the first half against Palace
Their tactics restricted the Eagles to very little in the first 45 minutes
