Manchester United have had to wait for their first home win of the season but it arrived in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 win over RB Leipzig on Wednesday night. Faced with two daunting fixtures to open their Champions League campaign, United have won both in style.
Marcus Rashford will take the plaudits, and rightly so after his quickfire hat-trick after coming on as a second-half substitute. But up against the dapperly dressed Julian Nagelsmann, widely regarded as the most astute young coach in European football, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer got it spot on and deserves huge credit for the manner of this victory against the Bundesliga leaders.
United's long unbeaten run towards the back end of last season was built around a 4-2-3-1 formation that relied heavily on a select group of players. These two European successes have come after changes to the shape and the personnel. A sign of adaptability and depth.
Donny van de Beek's role at the club came under intense scrutiny in the build-up to this game, much to Solskjaer's bemusement. The £40m signing from Ajax is still waiting for his first Premier League start but the season is only five games old and he was given his opportunity here.
The Dutchman's inclusion in a diamond formation not only proved that it is possible to find a role for him but might even point the way forward for United under Solskjaer.
Mason Greenwood's opening goal highlighted that perfectly. Fred won the ball back in midfield before Paul Pogba, floating on the left side of midfield, drove forward before threading a pass in behind the Leipzig backline. Greenwood, operating in a more central role as part of a front two, made the run from in to out and finished with his left foot.
No comments