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MANCHESTER UNITED fans were delighted to see some tactical tweaks during the first half of the Red Devils’ goalless draw with Crystal Palace.
United fans have been calling for changes on the pitch after a fairly dismal start to the season – and Erik ten Hag may be listening.
APTen Hag has been stubborn with his tactics since arriving at Old Trafford in 2022, but has been able to point at his two trophies in as many seasons to justify his decisions.
However, after two losses in their opening four games in the Premier League this term, the Dutchman has had a tinker with his side’s setup.
Most notably, Ten Hag appeared to instruct Diogo Dalot to make a change to his usual role at left-back.
Instead of playing it as a traditional full-back and dominating the flanks, Dalot was drifting into midfield and inverting to help out in central areas.
The role, used by other teams such as Arsenal and Man City, helped Dalot to have more of an impact on the game with fans claiming that the Potuguese defender was “like a new signing”.
Delighted supporters gushed about the tweak on social media, with one writing: “I’m crying, never seen Dalot invert this much. He’s legit playing alongside Mainoo”.
Another added: “Inverted Dalot, like a new signing”.
A third seemed in shock, asking: “Is Ten Hag inverting Dalot?!”
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Sky Sports
Dalot’s touch map for the first half shows how much he tucked into the middle for the pitchBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
And a fourth gushed: “Dalot world class, does anyone disagree anymore?”
Dalot’s role wasn’t the only change made by Ten Hag either.
Man Utd ratings vs Crystal Palace as Andre Onana saves the day for wasteful Red Devils
MANCHESTER UNITED were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace as they missed a flurry of first-half chances.
Erik ten Hag shocked fans this afternoon when he left Marcus Rashford out of his starting XI.
And the Red Devils failed to make a breakthrough – dropping two more points.
Here, SunSport’s Jordan Davies delivers his Man Utd player ratings…
ANDRE ONANA – 8/10
Had one save to make just before half time – a comfortable one from Eberechi Eze.
And then, a worldie double save to keep out Eddie Nketiah and Ismaila Sarr, rivalling the one made by Arsenal’s David Raya in mid-week.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 7
One of United’s most consistent performers who continues to impress week by week. Strong in the tackle and great positioning to stop Palace counters.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7
Lost an early duel with Jean-Philippe Mateta which put the Frenchman in but it was pulled back for a foul. Blamed his boots and changed them moments later.
Unlucky with a brilliant header from a corner that was somehow kept out by Dean Henderson and made a superb last-ditch tackle to stop Eze in the second half.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 6
Another player who came close to scoring but for the brilliance of Henderson, swivelling and turning in the six-yard box with a stabbed effort.
Lucky not to be sent off for a ridiculous two-footed lunge that narrowly avoided contact with Daichi Kamada.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Played as a left winger for most of the first half, such was United’s dominance.
Brilliant pick out only for Garnacho to hit the crossbar.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Covered ground well and linked defence with attack. Drifted forward more in the second half without seriously threatening.
An insane Cruyff piece of skill in the second half was worth the admission fee alone.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Kept things ticking over and picked some nice passes at times but his lack of pace and physicality was evident.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Tenacious in ensuring Palace’s midfield could not get a foothold in the game and grazed the top of the bar with a volley into the ground just before the half hour mark.
Was United’s most creative player on the ball and should have had one goal to his name at least.
AMAD DIALLO – 6
Showed glimpses with some darting runs but never possessing the intent and aggression to force anything meaningful from it.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7
Had a personal battle with Henderson, one that he ultimately lost.
Early chance to show it was the right call to start ahead of Marcus Rashford squandered – put through by Zirkzee but 1v1 effort palmed away by Henderson.
Smacked the bar in a similar position from Dalot’s through ball and came close to knocking one in from close range.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE – 6
Linked up well with Garnacho, dropping deep and slipping the winger in that should have led to the opener. Headed wide from a Diallo corner just before the break.
Rightly subbed off on the hour mark as his influence waned.
SUBS:
MARCUS RASHFORD (ZIRKZEE, 61) – 6
Did very little to convince Erik Ten Hag to throw him back into the starting XI, but was barely given the service either.
MANUEL UGARTE (ERIKSEN, 76) – 6
United certainly appear calmer and more solid with him at the base of their midfield.
RASMUS HOJLUND (DIALLO, 76) – 6
Still getting minutes back into his legs after returning from injury, but this is one of his more forgettable cameos.
The former Ajax man appeared to instruct his entire back line to step further up and play a much higher line that they usually do.
United’s deeper line often gives teams plenty of space to play in, but the new look tactic restricted Crystal Palace to very little space inbetween the lines.
That was emphasised by the fact the Eagles, who had the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ebere Eze playing up top, were only able to have one shot on target in the first half.
Of course, United were unable to find the back of the net either in the opening 45 minutes but looked the better of the two sides.
Palace grew into the game in the second half, stopping United from leaning into their new tactics quite as much.
Spectacular saves from both Andre Onana and Dean Henderson meant no side was leaving with all three points and the spoils were shared instead.
But United fans will have been buoyed by the dominance they saw in the first half.
Man Utd played a high defensive line during the first half against Palace
Their tactics restricted the Eagles to very little in the first 45 minutes
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