Manchester United: 5 things learned from the dramatic Manchester Derby

Alexis Sanchez flourished in more of a central role

Another Manchester United player who had a disappointing first half was Alexis Sanchez. He struggled to make any inroads into the City defence but did have little support.

However, when Mourinho switched formations in the second half, United and Sanchez looked a lot more comfortable. Jose switched the shape to resemble more of a 442. With Herrera and Matic centrally, Pogba was drifting to the wide left and Lingard on the right. Sanchez was acting more as a secondary striker to Romelu Lukaku whilst also drifting out wide left.

This allowed Sanchez to stay higher up the pitch alongside Romelu Lukaku. Therefore the Chilean could really damage City on the counter-attack receiving the ball in their half more of the time. His link up with Pogba and Lukaku proved pivotal in United’s comeback. He also registered two assists and an assist of an assist.