Picking a back three against Liverpool was the death knell for Jose Mourinho at Manchester United. For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it could resuscitate his reign.



Mourinho’s system last December at Anfield was set up to stymie, with Eric Bailly, Matteo Darmian, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof and Ashley Young spread across the pitch in a defensive blockade. United sat deep in an effort to limit Liverpool but were summarily beaten 3-1 in a performance devoid of adventure.



Only the latter two of those players featured at Old Trafford on Sunday and this time the formation carried offensive intent.



Young, the left wing-back, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the right were told to jump into midfield when Liverpool had the ball to win back possession higher up the pitch and spring direct attacks from closer to the opposition goal.



Lindelof, Marcos Rojo and even Harry Maguire, in the middle of the three centre backs, were also encouraged to get tight to...