Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of a weakened Paris Saint Germain side showed just how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tactics of blind freedom won’t work in big games.

As much as José Mourinho’s pragmatic style produced groans around Old Trafford, you’d bet his organisation would make this Champions League tie closer than it might be after the second leg. Although José clearly fell out with much of the dressing room, it’s important to realise that his tactics have won titles.

It seems United have gone from Jose’s shackles to Ole’s freedom, and in games against lesser opposition, this is all well and good. It gives United fans the fast, attacking football they’ve missed since Sir Alex Ferguson, but, against more talented teams, organisation to that style is required to win ties.

Sir Alex Ferguson wasn’t all attack, attack, attack. There were times when he had to defend well to grind out results, and Ole must understand a middle ground needs to be found between blind attack and sitting back.

Look across the north west and both Liverpool and City play quick, exciting football but they also have organisation to their play. Every player knows their role and sticks to it, and that seemed to be something that was missing against PSG.

It is important to note that United’s midfield and backline is nowhere near up to scratch, and so the manager can’t be blamed for the situation he inherited. But he must learn to play the way that gets the most from these players and adapt in games against top European opposition.

If Solskjaer is to get the job at the end of the season, he must learn to develop a more organised style of attacking. Blind freedom at United is exciting for the fans, but that’ll wear off if the club don’t win enough big games because of it.