FANS and pundits were left gushing over Erik ten Hag’s tactical tweak as Manchester United dominated the first-half in their in over Everton.
The Red Devils are in a frantic fight for top four but have had issues to deal with in midfield due to absences of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen.
Paul Scholes led the praise for United’s superb first-half showing
Scott McTominay charged into the box and found the breakthrough after 36 minutes
But the United manager shuffled the pack and found a formula which left Everton barely able to cope with United’s attacking thrust.
The in-form Scott McTominay played in a more advanced role alongside Marcel Sabitzer.
Meanwhile Bruno Fernandes, who has previously played at No10 and right-wing this season, was left to drop into the space in front of the back four.
The 28-year-old pulled the strings from midfield while Sabitzer and McTominay overloaded the Everton box.
The Scottish international finally got the breakthrough after 36 minutes as he found a gap at the near post.
And United could and should have had more after hitting 21 efforts on Jordan Pickford’s goal in the first-half, a season high.
Paul Scholes, sat in the BT Sport studio, was pleased to see McTominay playing in a more advanced role and insisted the 26-year-old “has goals in him”.
While fans were equally impressed at yet another ten Hag innovation bearing fruit.
McTominay or Sabitzer were often the most advanced central midfielders for the home side
One said: “Such a good performance from everyone so far. Ten Hag is a genius for putting Bruno deep and Sabitzer at #10.”
Another said: “Really like Bruno as a DLP [deep-lying playmaker].
“Didn’t think he’d be capable of it due to the lack of discipline in his positioning, but he’s been brilliant once again today. His passing range is really valuable.”
Another fan added: “We used McFred as double pivot under Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and now Ten Hag is using Bruno as the cdm [central defensive midfielder] + making McTominay cook as an 8.”
“The level of coaching and tactics are so clear.”
While another said: “Ten Hag has got a lot of criticism lately for his tactics but today he’s got it absolutely spot on.”
Anthony Martial made sure of all three points in the second half as he scored as he tapped home from Marcus Rashford’s squared pass.
