After completing an incredible comeback and winning at Old Trafford, Manchester United are now only one point behind Manchester City in the standings. The following is what we believe Erik ten Hag got absolutely spot on.

After guiding Manchester United to a remarkable 2-1 victory over their crosstown rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag was able to record the most significant victory of his career with the club.

The late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford allowed the Red Devils to move up to third place in the Premier League, bringing them to within one point of Pep Guardiola’s team. The late goals from Jack Grealish in the second half were cancelled out by the late goals from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

In the following, Daily Star Sport will go over the points that we believe Ten Hag got absolutely correct today.

Possessing Haaland

This was the deciding factor that decided United’s fate for the day, in many respects. You may put an end to City’s existence by putting an end to Haaland, and that is precisely what they did.

The enormous Norwegian wandered around the Old Trafford pitch like Big Foot with a hangover, hardly getting a smell as United’s busy stars men erased space between the lines in order to prevent Haaland’s handlers from releasing the beast. The giant Norwegian was like Big Foot with a hangover.

Even when City broke the deadlock, the plan remained the same, and the prize they have to show for it is their remarkable late comeback.

Holding midfielder formation

It is logical to do so when competing against the defending champions, but Ten Hag’s choice to pair Casemiro with fellow midfield destroyer Fred in the double pivot formation was an astute one.

Given how deep the two were when City had possession of the ball, it gave the impression that United were playing with a back six since they worked so well together to form a shield for the back line and deny City’s creators the space they needed to freely operate and move about the field.

Even though Rashford scored the game-winning goal, one could easily argue that Casemiro and Fred were the real difference-makers because of how effective they were, particularly in the first half of the match.

Believe Garnacho

The substitution of Alejandro Garnacho in the second half made a significant impact, as the 18-year-inventiveness old’s and energy helped to get United back into the game at the ideal moment while also contributing to City’s fall from the lead.

Garnacho was the one who set up Rashford’s late goal, and it was evident that Ten Hag’s faith in the youngster has certainly boosted his confidence. Today, that paid rewards, as Garnacho was the one who set up Rashford’s late winner.