Erik ten Hag held a crucial, yet impromptu, tactical meeting with Bruno Fernandes that changed the game between Manchester United and Chelsea on Saturday.
The Red Devils extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games at Stamford Bridge after fighting back to claim a late draw. They had been on top for much of the Premier League clash, but fell behind when Jorginho converted a penalty after Scott McTominay brought down Armando Broja.
Going behind convinced Ten Hag to make a tactical switch, which he communicated to his players through captain Fernandes. And it was an instruction that directly led to Casemiro heading in United's equaliser on the stroke of full-time.
According to The Athletic, the United boss quickly called Fernandes over to his technical area after Jorginho put his spot-kick past David de Gea. The conversation lasted around six seconds, with Ten Hag gesticulating from right to left, meaning defence to attack.
After receiving Ten Hag's instructions, the United skipper ran over to fullbacks Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot to pass on the message. It is claimed that the Dutchman wanted the duo to get forward and wide to deliver more crosses into the box.
Just seven minutes later, Ten Hag's tactical switch bore fruit, with Casemiro rising highest to head Shaw's cross into the net. Shaw's ball in came moments after Chelsea had cleared Dalot's own attempt to get the ball into the box.
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Ten Hag had another conversation with Fernandes in which he instructed the midfielder to stop disputing decisions made by referee Stuart Attwell. Fernandes is known for confronting match officials, but Ten Hag took that responsibility off him in a possible attempt to stop him getting booked.
Shaw was another target of Ten Hag's instructions and at one point could be spotted receiving a blast from his manager. The fullback was taking his time moving the ball on deep into stoppage time, much to Ten Hag's anger.
Despite his animated display from his technical area, Ten Hag was pleased with his side's performance. He believed that a draw was the right result, with both teams having spells in which they dominated.
“In the first half, we dominated the game. But also, that is why the opponent switched their system. And they made it a little more difficult for us, like we saw in the last minutes of the first half. In the second half, I think it was even. It was a battle between two teams of the same height. And in the end, I think a point was justified," he said.
“It was deserved. It was tough, when you get so short for time, you get 1-0 down, I think it is really difficult after the fourth game in 10 days to fight back. But the team found their energy and their strength and fought back. And that’s really big for this team.
“It is quite clear we want to win every game and we want, in this moment, to develop the team. That is what you need and getting in the right position, and we will see where we are when it is March or April. But that is a long road to go. So, for now, I am not looking at the table, I am looking at the process and the progress.”
