MARTIN KEOWN: Erik ten Hag has shown us his new-look Manchester United

MARTIN KEOWN: Erik ten Hag has shown us the template for his new-look Manchester United team… his inverted wide men Antony and Jadon Sancho are key to how the Dutchman wants to attack

  • Manchester United put in their best home performance in years vs Tottenham
  • Everything clicked for Erik ten Hag as his players put in a tremendous effort
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is becoming part of the past and it is not all about him now
  • Graham Potter is such to have a tactical trick planned for Chelsea v Man United 

Manchester United’s fans must have been rubbing their eyes in disbelief during Wednesday’s win over Spurs.

Old Trafford had not witnessed such a complete performance in years. Everything clicked for Erik ten Hag. 

We saw exactly how he wants his team to play and his players put in tremendous effort as they collectively covered 114.4km — their greatest distance in a game this season and nearly 20km more than they managed in that 4-0 humiliation by Brentford.

Old Trafford witness Manchester United’s most complete performance in years on Wednesday

United were brilliant and everything clicked for them as they comfortably beat Tottenham 

The Red Devils have now set the blueprint for how manager Erik ten Hag wants them to play

It is worth remembering that Tottenham turned up at Old Trafford with the same record as Manchester City this season — seven wins, two draws, one defeat — and yet they were dominated.

After Ten Hag’s template worked so well, I expect him to stick with the same team and tactics for Chelsea today.

United used a front three of Antony, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho. Antony is a left-footer on the right, and Sancho is a right-footer on the left. 

It is no secret that they will look to cut inside on to their preferred feet but stopping them is another matter. When they move infield, it leaves space for United’s full backs to fly down the flanks. It’s all geared to attack and Luke Shaw performed as well as I’ve seen him.

Marcus Rashford (left), Antony (right) and Jadon Sancho are proving a threat in attack

Sancho is starting to find joy on the left of midfield after a slow start to his career at United

Sancho and Anthony’s touch maps from the Tottenham win show how vital they are to ten Hag

When facing Antonio Conte’s Tottenham, there is a constant danger of counter-attacks. But United had a strong spine to combat that. 

Raphael Varane — a defender who’s won the lot for club and country, including four Champions Leagues and a World Cup — partnered Lisandro Martinez. They had the added protection of another decorated player in five-time Champions League winner Casemiro, who was at the base of the midfield.

Fred was in the middle and Fernandes at the top and he used his advanced position to join the front line. He played with freedom, safe in the knowledge that Casemiro and Fred were covering him.

It was a stellar set-up which enabled United to fly at Tottenham from the very start. They managed 28 shots in total, more than any team have managed this season.

Lisandro Martinez (left) and Raphael Varane (right) are forming a good partnership in defence

Rashford would have been frustrated not to have scored in the game against Tottenham

Rashford was disappointed that he didn’t score. Cristiano Ronaldo was clearly frustrated at being an unused substitute. But Ronaldo needs to put his personal annoyance to one side.

At 24, Rashford is the future, whereas at 37, Ronaldo is becoming part of the past. Ronaldo can help this young man know when to use his pace to break behind opposition back lines. 

He is a huge personality but with time, surely he will recognise it’s not so much about him but more about the development of this emerging United team under Ten Hag.

Cristiano Ronaldo needs to realise it’s not all about him and he could help the younger players

It was interesting to see both Brentford’s Thomas Frank and Chelsea’s Graham Potter interviewed together on Amazon Prime ahead of their match on Wednesday. Frank asked Potter on air: ‘Why are you changing the formation so many times?’

I used this column to call Chelsea’s manager a ‘chameleon’ earlier this month because he’s a master of disguise.

Opposition managers never know what system they’re going to get when they face Chelsea and Frank touched on that with his question.

Graham Potter is such to have a trick up his sleeve when Chelsea face United on Saturday

In his seven games in charge, Potter has already used five different formations, and credit must go to the players for being so flexible. Raheem Sterling has been used as a wing-back, inside forward and a striker. Mason Mount as a midfielder, No 10 and inside forward.

They’re playing in multiple positions, and Mateo Kovacic is a reliable busy bee in midfield and Kepa Arrizabalaga has been inspired, taking the fresh start he’s been afforded under his new manager. 

I’m sure Potter will have a tactical surprise up his sleeve for United but Ten Hag should trust his own tactics after Wednesday.




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