3. Spurs played more of 4-2-3-1 than a 4-4-2
For all the talk of Sherwood’s vast change in tactics, Spurs formation at Old Trafford was actually more similar to Andre Villas-Boas’ favoured 4-2-3-1 formation than a traditional 4-4-2. Etienne Capoue and Mousa Dembele sat deep in a two, stifling Rooney. While Aaron Lennon stayed wide, Christian Eriksen tucked in from the left and was joined by Adebayor in a fluid attacking midfield role, leaving Soldado as a lone striker at times. The big difference from AVB’s days was that the players were afforded more freedom to roam, whilst maintaining the overall structure of the team, and Soldado was never left isolated as a host of players streamed forward to support the Spaniard when Spurs had the ball.
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