Returning to Premier League action after a hiatus of over six weeks to facilitate the Qatar World Cup was always going to be a tough task given the uncharted nature of the situation.
For Manchester United as they geared up to face Nottingham Forest, a bout of illness within the camp threw an additional spanner into the works. Harry Maguire was the source and only trained once prior to facing Forest, so he was named on the bench. Centre-back alternative Victor Lindelof and defensive body Scott McTominay were unwell and missed out completely.
When you factor in injuries to Axel Tuanzebe and Teden Mengi, and the fact that Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez were involved in the World Cup final, it was somewhat of a crisis for Erik ten Hag. To the relief of many, Varane was unexpectedly present to start, though he remained the only established centre-back at Ten Hag's disposal.
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Such a wrath of defensive absentees made for an unusual starting back line. Luke Shaw was named as partner to Raphael Varane - his first ever appearance in a centre-back pair.
"It was an easy decision to make," Ten Hag told the BBC post-match. "He told me: 'Manager, I can play there.' He played there like he has been in that position for several years - very composed and a really good performance."
Shaw stepped up and performed very well under plenty of pressure. Footballers are often bound to particular routines pre-match, so different preparation could have thrown Shaw off. Then you have to factor in the completely dissimilar duty in terms of positioning, with more discipline required than at full-back, where you are able to venture forward.
But Shaw assumed the role with assurance, showing positional awareness and often reading danger well to contribute to the keeping of a clean sheet. It speaks to his mentality that he offered to take on the role so willingly.
It is also credit to others that the unorthodox defensive line was able function so smoothly.
Despite being the first participant in the World Cup final to return to action for their club, Varane was a dominant presence with the onus on him to perform alongside a partner unaccustomed to the role. He showed his experience to have so quickly put World Cup final heartbreak behind him, overcoming high levels of fatigue to return prematurely.
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No doubt, using Varane was a risk. But at the same time, Ten Hag had no options other than to take risks, evidenced by his use of Shaw as a centre-back. The only other path he could have gone down was handing a debut to 19-year-old Rhys Bennett, which was arguably would have brought even greater peril.
Casemiro did feature at centre-back against Burnley in the Carabao Cup last week, but his services were required in the holding midfield berth given McTominay's absence and the fact that Fred isn't viewed as suitable for anchoring the midfield. Casemiro ultimately proved a crucial part of mitigating the impacts of a make-do defence from defensive midfield, offering crucial protection.
Casemiro continues to prove himself as a natural fit for Premier League football - a well-rounded, aggressive yet calming presence. While offering long-desired defensive solidity from midfield, he has also developed as a controlling presence in possession with a wide-ranging passing repertoire.
Collective effort meant the repercussions of the absences were allayed, with aspects of Shaw's game such as his recovery pace and ball progression actually beneficial for United, such was his swift adaptation to an unfamiliar role.
On one occasion in the second half, Shaw played an excellent pass from deep into the penalty area, completing 100 passes throughout the match - the most of any United player in a single Premier League match this term.
It was blatant given their coherent structure that they had been well-drilled by Ten Hag and had knowledge of the more unusual set-up. There was a clear awareness of roles and, from a defensive standpoint, this led to the isolation Forest's attack en-route to their shutout of a side visiting Old Trafford for the first time since 1998.
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United established control from early in proceedings. Aside from some initial giveaways, which pointed towards rust and were a possible legacy of the use of a somewhat alternative side, they were assured in possession and carried a rhythm through most of the affair.
The impact of Ten Hag's coaching staff was further shown for United's opening goal, where a clearly manufactured corner routine saw them take the lead. Christian Eriksen credited set-piece coach Eric Ramsay for the routine, which saw the Dane play the ball low to meet the attentive dart of Marcus Rashford. The first-time finish from Rashford was decisive.
Ramsay contributed to the solidification of the defence from set-pieces last term, but attacking innovations are starting to come to the fore too.
Execution promptly became a watchword through successful implementation of plans and routines. The attack carried out numerous patterns of movement and interchanges, especially apparent between Bruno Fernandes, Rashford and Anthony Martial on the left side, where many fluid passages of interplay were executed. There was rarely a time where the attackers were static, making them very difficult to defend against.
The sharpness of the side was embodied by United's second goal, with quick shifting of the ball following one of a few robust challenges from Casemiro to win possession back in the defensive third. Rashford was central to the manoeuvre as with many, producing a deft touch from Fernandes' forward pass before chopping inside after a carry.
Another left-sided combination was capped off as Rashford played the ball to Martial, whose first-time finish seemed to catch Wayne Hennessey off-guard as the ball wriggled away from his grasp. Regardless of any error, it was a confident, cohesive move from United that deservedly doubled their lead.
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United's levels of creation throughout couldn't be faulted, albeit their clinical edge did waver as proceedings went on, evidencing the requirement for another central forward player even amid the coherence of the presently favoured front line.
Alejandro Garancho's second half cameo did, however, prove that United's wide options are plentiful enough (with the caveat of Jadon Sancho's struggles and Antony's continuing adaptation). The young Argentine was justifiably serenaded by chants of "Argentina" and "Viva Garnacho".
Fearlessness is a virtue in Garnacho's case, with a constant desire to attack defenders - often to avail. He was once massively unfortunate that United didn't possess a more potent striker, which was exacerbated by the fact Martial had been withdrawn, after playing a teasing weak-footed pass in to the penalty area.
Forest's disorganisation did contribute to United's threat and allowed them to remain comfortable, but it was credit to Ten Hag's side that they proved able to exploit any spaces left vacant. This was apparent as Casemiro played an incisive pass through a gap to greet substitute Fred's run into the box, with a clinical finish from Fred securing United three points.
Casemiro's input for the goal was a good exhibition of his all-round influence, with the assist one of three chances created. However, this came after defensive work as he showed excellent anticipation to win the ball back high up the pitch. He was a vital presence in a number of aspects for United.
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Ten Hag's side have returned to action in strong fashion, coping with there being absentees both against Burnley in the Carabao Cup and now Forest in the Premier League.
They will be grateful when more defensive players are available and midfielders and full-backs won't be relied upon to play at centre-back. But at least the first two post-World Cup matches have shown an ability to adapt and for players to step up when faced with different challenges.
At the same time, there was a clear structure, which is both credit to Ten Hag and his staff's methods and the players' willingness to buy into them.
A 70 per cent win rate across all competitions is evidence of the turnaround being orchestrated, especially when you factor in the wretched start to the campaign.
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