What Solskjaer plans to change from Man Utd’s brilliant victory at the Etihad

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained that he wants his Manchester United team to have more of the ball against Manchester City in the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final at Old Trafford this evening.

United remarkably had only 28% possession in their fantastic win at the Etihad last month, in what was the perfect counter-attacking display.

The Reds invited pressure from Pep Guardiola’s side before hitting them on the break with a rampant counter-attacking trio of Daniel James, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Solskjaer’s counter-attacking threat became less prominent in the second-half but United had been clinical and they held onto their lead.

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However, United face a much tougher test over two legs against City, who seem to have solved their problem of being susceptible on the break.

The onus is on United to take a lead into the second leg at the Etihad this evening, and Solskjaer plans to have more control of the game.

“He’s a master with his tactics,” Solskjaer said when asked about Guardiola, as quoted by Manchester Evening News.

“He’s had his team now for a few years and I’m not sure he’s going to change that much, but that will be up to him.

“We’re learning and we know what worked. Traditionally we are a team that attacks quickly. It doesn’t matter where you win the ball, it might be high up or low but it’s that transition of attacking.

“Counterattacking sounds negative but to win the ball in order to be able to attack means you need to defend well and hopefully at Old Trafford we can have more of the ball and also be decisive when we attack.”

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