Manchester United may have failed to record all three points against Liverpool on Sunday, but it was a much-needed demonstration of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ability to influence a game tactically.



United caused Liverpool serious problems throughout the first half with the use of a 3-4-1-2 system, with the wing-back pairing finding space down the flanks and helping to drag Liverpool’s defence out of shape.



Solskjaer’s use of that system was something of a surprise. It seemed likely United would retreat quickly into a five-man defence, which would have invited pressure, but Ashley Young and Aaron Wan-Bissaka played positively, particularly in possession, and were the key players as United outmanoeuvred Liverpool for long periods.



An incident in the second minute was a good example of United’s game plan. After Georginio Wijnaldum lobbed the ball straight to Young, United’s left-wing-back was half-heartedly closed down by Liverpool...