Erik ten Hag might have to take a leaf from a former Manchester United manager to beat Pep Guardiola on Sunday, and his name is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Solskjaer had a string of impressive victories against Pep Guardiola and Manchester City during his time at United, and they were usually playing one style of football. The transitional game. City couldn’t handle it at times under Ole, and Erik ten Hag may have to take that blueprint.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Transitional Red’s:
One can think back to a game at the Etihad in 2019 when Ole’s United ran Manchester City ragged in the opening 25 minutes. A quartet of Jesse Lingard, Dan James, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford tore City from pillar to post, and it could have been 3-0 within the opening half an hour.
United eventually won the game 2-1, and it was one of many impressive performances Ole managed to put up on Pep during his time at the club. It was all about that true United culture, with pure raw pace on the counter and impressive defensive work.
Raphael Varane and Harry Maguire have proved they can defend the box extremely well in recent games. If United can defend well, their pace on the counter could really hurt Manchester City.
It’s expected United will play a pivot at the weekend. Sofyan Amrabat is likely to be injured, so Scott McTominay could come in alongside the returning Casemiro. It could be an upgrade on the McFred partnership United had much success against City with in the past.
The Team To Beat Manchester City:
Onana, Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Reguilon, Casemiro, McTominay, Fernandes, Rashford, Garnacho, Hojlund.
That could well be the team to do it. A strong physical midfield to sit in front of the back four. Bruno’s quality in the 10 role with them killer balls in behind on the transition. The raw pace of that front three. United can hurt City, but they have to believe that themselves.
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