Both Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and two goal hero for the visitors, Jean-Philippe Mateta, claimed that their side targeted Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system before the match.
Since becoming United manager, Amorim has dramatically changed the formation of the side to a 3-4-3 and it is safe to say the jury is very much out on the formation.
The results have been abysmal as the Red Devils have lost five out of six Premier League home games and numerous travelling teams have found United little to no threat at Old Trafford.
Yesterday’s 0-2 loss to Palace was another toothless display where Amorim’s side looked like they could play all day and still not score a goal.
The Austrian coach Glasner was asked about whether he targeted the United coach’s tactics and he claimed (via talkSPORT), “yes, we did. Also, to be honest, we did it yesterday in training and it didn’t work so well. But I blame myself. I think I told them.”
“I think it was maybe too much information we gave them during the week because I know that when we play against a team with 3-4-3 we know what we have to do. The players already know.”
He commented on United’s change of allowing Bruno Fernandes to drop into the back four to collect the ball but he said his team was also ready to counter this tactical move.
“We knew what to do. We showed them again at half-time and that was I think the key for the success. We didn’t give them the spaces they want to use.”
The visitor’s goalscoring hero Mateta also claimed that his side deserved the win.
He revealed that they had been working on a plan all week to stop United and that it bore fruit yesterday afternoon.
United had started the year in better fashion and were going for their fourth consecutive win.
Nonetheless, yesterday’s crushing defeat means the Red Devils are still 13th in the table and have only collected a meagre 29 points from 24 matches this season.
They will next be in action against former coach Ruud van Nistelrooy in the FA Cup against Leicester City on Friday night.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
