Manchester United Fan View: Tottenham blown away

Despite experiencing an embarrassing and painful defeat in the hands of West Brom last week, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United bounced back once again as they completed a quality comeback over Tottenham Hotspur in the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup on Saturday evening.

The match was expected to be a very tight one, on the other hand, the outcome was different given the fact that both sides were able to create several chances in order to secure their spot in the FA Cup Final. In the end, Manchester United had less possession of the ball but were still able to dominate and outscore Mauricio Pochettino’s side, showing their pure resilience from defence to attack.

Here are the three things we learned from United’s latest result in the FA Cup…

Paul Pogba and Co continues to control and dominate in a 4-3-3 setup

Throughout the 2017/18 season, the English press have hit out on the 4-2-3-1 formation that Jose Mourinho constantly uses, as it has been pointed out as a pragmatic way of approaching to football and it’s never been the Manchester United way. However, in recent weeks, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach has made some adjustments and has utilised the 4-3-3 setup effectively, allowing the likes of Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba to thrive from this system.

With a three-man midfield consisting of Pogba, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic, the Red Devils have the perfect balance in the middle of the field as it gives them the licence to control and dominate the game on both sides of the pitch. On top of that, with Herrera and Matic sitting deep, the full-backs in Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young are given a huge opportunity to advance forward down the flanks in order for the side to have more numbers to pass to in the final third of the pitch.

Mourinho’s men demonstrate their pure mentality in another huge fixture

A lot of questions were asked last season about why Jose Mourinho and Manchester United are so unconvincing in the big games and will they ever change their style and mentality going into these vital fixtures. Fast forward on to the current campaign, Mourinho and his men have beaten all the top-six sides in the league, with two of the fixtures they started from a losing position, but they showed their true character and attitude to go on to completing a comeback.

Some of the issues this term have been taking the smaller sides too lightly which has prevented the team from taking victories in league fixtures at Leicester away, Stoke away and recently against West Brom at home. Meanwhile, the team always look to be pumped up and ready to go into war, whenever a game against one of the big clubs is just around the corner. Speaking of big games, from now till the end of May, Manchester United only have Arsenal left to play in the league and Chelsea in the FA Cup Final.

Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera show their true class on both sides of the pitch

Playing for a Mourinho side is never easy, as you have to give 110% to the team when they are on and off the ball as well as show true fighting spirit to track back the opposition and make sure they don’t get into the danger areas. Also, not following the manager’s instructions and making a lot of mistakes certainly prevents an individual from having the lengthy career they were potentially hoping to have at a huge club.

Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera were reportedly two of the many players that were privately criticised and slated from the manager after their unconvincing displays in recent weeks. However, both individuals showed their true class and talent against Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham Hotspur as the duo were the main reasons to why Mourinho’s side managed to complete the victory and progress into the FA Cup final. Herrera produced many important interceptions and tackles in his own half whilst Sanchez was constantly and effortlessly running up and down the pitch.