José Mourinho was quick to criticise his players after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester City. “A few players were below the level,” he complained. “Sometimes players disappoint managers.” But Mourinho’s tactical blunder was equally to blame for Manchester United’s poor first-half performance, and their improvement after the break owed much to his change of formation.
City’s most dangerous players in Pep Guardiola’s 4-3-3 system are the two advanced central midfielders, David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne. Although both are more accustomed to higher positions, they have adjusted excellently to their new roles, driving forward from deep and combining swiftly between the lines. Without the threat of Sergio Agüero, usually City’s obvious dangerman, Mourinho’s primary task was protecting the zone where Silva and De Bruyne operate.
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