Manchester United’s new approach saw the team dominate Sunday’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace.
While United could only score once, it was all the side needed, with Ralf Rangnick’s new approach helping the team keep a first clean sheet of the season at Old Trafford.
Palace tried to play out from the back and this played into United’s hands as it gave Rangnick’s side a chance to try and win the ball in dangerous areas and adopt the manager’s preferred pressing style.
It clearly was not easy for Palace’s players and full-back Tyrick Mitchell has explained how United’s stars made it difficult for the Eagles.
Mitchell told Palace’s official website: “We let them get on top of us too much. I think on the ball in possession we didn’t get as far as we normally can.”
He added that manager Patrick Vieira told the team to “get on the ball, exploit them in the midfield and stretch them, but unfortunately we didn’t do it well enough.”
United had 61 per cent possession, with the team managing to ‘control’ the game as interim boss Ralf Rangnick had urged the team to do.
Speaking after the game, Rangnick told United’s website: “In quite a few games I saw on TV and also against Arsenal, we were a bit shaky in certain times of the game but today we had the feeling that we controlled the game. Bearing in mind that we had two days less to recover, the energy that the boys put into the game is to be even more appreciated.”
United are just getting started
There has been very limited time for United’s players to get adjusted to new manager Rangnick. He implemented a new 4-2-2-2 system which allowed the side to gain a greater foothold in central areas by flooding the midfield.
The more time he has to spend with players, the better they will become, and he will work out who is best suited to playing his preferred style.
Conversely, teams will become to know what to expect, and be able to draw up game plans to try and counteract Rangnick’s tactics. He will be prepared for this, and will brief the team on how to be adaptive to differing styles they come up against.
It feels refreshing to have a top tactician in the Old Trafford dugout. United’s players will be better for it, and while frustrating that the team were not creating enough chances, it felt good to actually control a game, and not feel like the team was constantly swimming against a tide.
Playing against United won’t be pleasant for teams, and the comments from Palace defender Mitchell highlight what a frustrating experience it will be.
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