---
title: "Manchester United: Fans can’t believe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defensive tactics vs Manchester City"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/manchester-united-fans-cant-believe-ole-gunnar-solskjaers-defensive-tactics-vs-manchester-city/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ben Goodwin"
section: "Manchester United Football Club"
published: "2020-01-08T20:40:44Z"
modified: "2020-01-08T20:40:44Z"
---

# Manchester United: Fans can’t believe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s defensive tactics vs Manchester City

**Loads of Manchester United fans have been reacting to a moment from Tuesday’s defeat to Manchester City, as they are baffled by the decision to play a high defensive line against the Premier League champions.**

As [Arsenal showed](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50702875) at the Emirates a few weeks ago, Manchester City are one of the last teams you want to play a high line against.

With Kevin De Bruyne’s forward surges and excellent passing, together with the pace of Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez, it really is asking for trouble, and trouble is exactly what Manchester United got.

With the score at 2-0 to the visitors in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash at Old Trafford, De Bruyne broke away and forced an own goal to make it 3-0, and fans are shocked by the defending in the build-up.

\[freshpress-poll id=”271041″\]

Victor Lindelof bizarrely decided to press a ball he was never going to win, leaving him completely out of the equation, while Phil Jones and Brandon Williams were both caught way too high up the pitch and Aaron Wan-Bissaka lazily sauntered back into the fray.

You can watch the video of the abysmal moment [here](https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1214650237593292806), and find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…

> Now is the time when you need to stop applying logic and common sense. We are basically running a charity for unwanted football players and coaches now [#MUFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/MUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#ManUtd](https://twitter.com/hashtag/ManUtd?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Manchester DisUnited (@MUFC\_Disunited) [January 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/MUFC_Disunited/status/1214773109229674498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Look at Wan-Bissaka and Sterling they started at the same time. If he bothered to run little faster, he could done something and help them out [pic.twitter.com/fq9Dh0hQI4](https://t.co/fq9Dh0hQI4)
>
> — United Daily (@UnitedDaily9) [January 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/UnitedDaily9/status/1214774060011474945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Solskjaer needs to terminate Carrick and McKenna, they get that knowledge of sit back defending and then counter attack . That’s from Mourinho .
>
> — Oscar (@Calidreamin213) [January 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/Calidreamin213/status/1214774339201097733?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [pic.twitter.com/vYxeBxfyOc](https://t.co/vYxeBxfyOc)
>
> — Jayden (@NJayHighwayss) [January 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/NJayHighwayss/status/1214786151585734656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> This is down to coaching\
> Jones was already in our half and lindelof is still attacking the ball.\
> Properly coached defence is being told to drop off so the back line gets back into shape.
>
> — Kanhai (@Kanhai92638767) [January 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/Kanhai92638767/status/1214774470012997633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [@OboirienT](https://twitter.com/OboirienT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) This is what I mean. Look at the high line. Maguire would’ve been exposed equally if not more.
>
> — Wodan (@Wodan522) [January 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/Wodan522/status/1214844469696184320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Finished club as long as that Norwegian fraud is here
>
> — star boy (@utdryxn) [January 8, 2020](https://twitter.com/utdryxn/status/1214834356197322752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Who deserves more blame at Manchester United between the players and the manager? Join the discussion in the comments below…***