Chris Smalling Explains The Tactic Mourinho Used To Fool Arsenal
Reuters / Jason Cairnduff
Manchester United were successful in astonishing supporters when they seized the three points with just 25% of total possession, as they departed the Emirates stadium after a mouth-watering fixture.
One could say it’s owing to the outstanding services of David De Gea that the Old Trafford outfit claimed victory. However, United were lethally clinical on their counterattack, and clinically exploited the errors from the North London club.
Whenever the opposition’s attack broke down, the away side was quick on getting the ball to the other half and fabricating deadly plays in the opposition half.
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A late red card for Paul Pogba scared the supporters, but the Red Giants didn’t compromise a sophisticated performance that more or less resembled the effervescent exhibitions of Jose Mourinho‘s Inter Milan and Chelsea teams.
As the football fanatics around the globe found it hard to comprehend Mourinho’s tactics, Chris Smalling generously bestowed an insight.
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Speaking to MUTV, the 28-year-old described: “I think we were carrying on from Watford and the fact that, when we play, obviously in this system, we can play with two strikers.
“Quite often, they [Arsenal] are only used to playing against one. We put two up front and put them under more pressure and they are not used to that. I think that was one to enjoy, for fans watching the game and for us as players.
“It was end to end, but for us to get those two early goals, I think, meant Arsenal had to come at us and that’s what made it a very entertaining game.”
Smalling then spoke about the glorious way his side managed with just 10-men: “I think that’s down to our tactical work and us being able to be strong.
“They probably had about four strikers on the pitch so it was a case of digging in and making sure, even the attacking players, were doing their job and everyone to a man was brilliant.
“I think Watford were going into our game on Tuesday on a great run of form and Arsenal, I don’t think they’ve lost at home like we haven’t, so I don’t think we could have asked for anything more. It’s been a great week.”
With the Manchester Derby closing in, the Portuguese tactician might have to go at it at his best, coming up with impressive tactics akin to this one to stand a chance against the other Mancunian side, due to the form Pep’s men are in at the moment.
Written by Hritwik NE 
Passionate writer, coated in Blue.