Legend impressed by Ten Hag's tactics and attire
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel feels his former club's enthralling Emirates FA Cup win over Liverpool owed much to Erik ten Hag's tactical approach in extra-time.
The Treble-winning goalkeeper is full of admiration for the way the manager adjusted his side's formation, to inspire an incredible comeback after going 3-2 down in the 105th minute.
Schmeichel felt the eventual 4-3 victory was just reward for a risky strategy, a trade-off reminiscent of his own halcyon days playing behind an attacking 4-4-2 line-up under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"The way that Manchester United won that game, it pleases me enormously," our former no.1 told BBC Five Live.
"I haven't seen that kind of urge and willingness to do absolutely crazy things for years.
"In order to achieve that win, the manager had Bruno Fernandes, who couldn't run at the end, playing centre-half. And Antony, of all players, was playing at left-back."
Schmeichel felt the eventual 4-3 victory was just reward for a risky strategy, a trade-off reminiscent of his own halcyon days playing behind an attacking 4-4-2 line-up under Sir Alex Ferguson.
"The way that Manchester United won that game, it pleases me enormously," our former no.1 told BBC Five Live.
"I haven't seen that kind of urge and willingness to do absolutely crazy things for years.
"In order to achieve that win, the manager had Bruno Fernandes, who couldn't run at the end, playing centre-half. And Antony, of all players, was playing at left-back."
Schmeichel added: "I think what he did in extra time, how he changed the formation - he played 4-1-4-1 which is very, very aggressive - was very sort of Ferguson-ish.
"He was throwing caution to the wind. We call that risk mode. You go into full-blown risk mode, you put everything in there in order to win and you risk everything - he had Harry Maguire playing centre-forward for quite a bit of that time.
"I think that's really, really good management."
"He was throwing caution to the wind. We call that risk mode. You go into full-blown risk mode, you put everything in there in order to win and you risk everything - he had Harry Maguire playing centre-forward for quite a bit of that time.
"I think that's really, really good management."
The legend was also struck by Ten Hag's choice of matchday attire, as he unusually wore a shirt, tie and club blazer for his role in the technical area.
The spring-like weather in Manchester made it easier for Erik to eschew his big coat, but Schmeichel suggested there was more to his style choice than the climatic conditions.
"I think a lot of people probably say this means nothing, but he came on the pitch in his suit and tie," observed our former no.1.
"He looked like the manager. He looked like a strong character. And sometimes these little changes can have a massive, massive impact."
The spring-like weather in Manchester made it easier for Erik to eschew his big coat, but Schmeichel suggested there was more to his style choice than the climatic conditions.
"I think a lot of people probably say this means nothing, but he came on the pitch in his suit and tie," observed our former no.1.
"He looked like the manager. He looked like a strong character. And sometimes these little changes can have a massive, massive impact."
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Relive that incredible Old Trafford ending
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There has already been much talk among fans and pundits as to where Sunday's game ranks in the pantheon of our ground's greatest spectacles, and the rarity of the 4-3 scoreline surely makes it stand out.
In fact, the only other time it has occurred in 213 meetings between United and Liverpool was on 19 February 1910, when the Merseysiders were our first-ever visitors to Old Trafford and partly spoiled the new stadium celebrations by winning that seven-goal thriller.
The last time both arch rivals scored at least three times in the same game dates back to Peter's era, albeit it was at Anfield.
In fact, the only other time it has occurred in 213 meetings between United and Liverpool was on 19 February 1910, when the Merseysiders were our first-ever visitors to Old Trafford and partly spoiled the new stadium celebrations by winning that seven-goal thriller.
The last time both arch rivals scored at least three times in the same game dates back to Peter's era, albeit it was at Anfield.
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Liverpool 3 United 3
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"I honestly can't remember watching an FA Cup game of that quality, with so many things happening all the time for 123 minutes or whatever it was," said Schmeichel.
"I also can't remember a Manchester United-Liverpool game, apart from the 3-3 at Anfield back in the mid-90s where it was so eventful.
"It's hard to say who deserved to win, both teams gave everything. But in extra-time, I think it was United.
"Although United went 3-2 behind, they just had a bit more about them than Liverpool did. Liverpool looked tired.
"It really was a fantastic game, a brilliant watch."
"I also can't remember a Manchester United-Liverpool game, apart from the 3-3 at Anfield back in the mid-90s where it was so eventful.
"It's hard to say who deserved to win, both teams gave everything. But in extra-time, I think it was United.
"Although United went 3-2 behind, they just had a bit more about them than Liverpool did. Liverpool looked tired.
"It really was a fantastic game, a brilliant watch."
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