Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has taken a leaf out of his former boss Alex Ferguson's book as he announced changes in the club's stands aimed bring about a change in their home form this season.
Solskjaer said United have changed the colour of the banners around the Old Trafford pitch from red to black, after his players found it difficult to distinguish red shirts against the red background.
The move comes 25 years after former United boss Alex Ferguson's infamous complaints after a loss at Southampton, when he ordered his players to change their grey kits as they were struggling to pick each other out.
United have failed to win their last three European games at Old Trafford, with Solskjaer suggesting playing in red shirts against red empty seats could also be a small contributing factor.
"You'll see a change now the banners around the place. It is not red anymore, we have looked into this," Solskjaer said.
"It shouldn't be any reason really. But, some of the players have mentioned that [in a] split-second decision, red shirts on red seats [is confusing], we have tried to change that along with the anti-racism campaign. That was important it is not red anymore."
Tottenham v Manchester United player ratings
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TOTTENHAM PLAYER RATINGS: Hugo Lloris – 6. Strong save to deny Cavani but had no chance with Fred’s follow up. Pulled off a brilliant low block on Fernandes but was left diving at air for Cavani’s brilliant header and was beaten at near post by Greenwood. Getty Images -
Serge Aurier – 4. As guilty as Dier for slack marking on Cavani for the Uruguayan’s header in another suspect defensive display. His needless late challenge on Shaw in injury time summed up an absent-minded performance. PA -
Eric Dier – 4. For the first half hour or so, Dier looked to be settling into the match but he got progressively worse as he struggled to deal with Cavani’s movement. Lost Cavani for United’s second and showed a feeble attempt to halt Pogba in the build-up to the third. AFP -
Joe Rodon – 7. Comfortably the pick of Tottenham’s defenders. The Welsh centre-back was alert to danger and strong in the tackle to repel United’s attacks. Couldn’t be blamed for any of the three conceded goals. PA -
Sergio Reguilon – 5. An off-day for the Spanish left-back. Tried to force his way up the pitch but couldn’t get anything going and his touch was lacking. Defensively, not strong enough. AFP -
Tanguy Ndombele – 5. Has made significant strides this season after a tough debut campaign, but this was more reminiscent of last year. Offered little threat in attacking positions and gave away the ball too easily. AFP -
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – 6. Marshalled the back line well during the first half but as United swarmed forward after the break, his influence waned. Getty Images -
Giovani Lo Celso – 7. The Spanish midfielder was excellent in the first half, his passing and positioning key to Tottenham’s transitions. But as Spurs dropped deeper in the second half, his impact faded. More a reflection of his manager’s pragmatic tactics than Lo Celso himself and he was subbed just after the hour mark. EPA -
Lucas Moura – 7. Looked lively when he attempted to spring forward on the counter-attack, but too often picked the wrong pass or was dispossessed too easily. Got the assist for Son’s goal and was the Spurs attacker who looked most likely to make something happen during an abject second half for the hosts. AFP -
Son Heung-min – 6. Involved in two pivotal moments in the first half. It was Son’s face McTominay made contact with that disallowed Cavani’s goal, before the South Korean tapped in the opening goal. Had a great chance to give Spurs another lead soon after United’s equaliser but shot straight at Henderson. Nowhere close to repeating his Old Trafford heroics. AP -
Harry Kane – 6. Played a superb pass to Moura to set up Son for the opener and forced a strong save from Henderson in the second half. But it was largely a frustrating game for the England captain. Getty Images -
SUBS: Moussa Sissoko (61’) – 5. His arrival marked the start of Tottenham’s retreat and the Frenchman contributed little to help his team get back into the match. Reuters -
Erik Lamela (78’) – N/A. Produced one eye-catching pass, but that was about it. EPA -
Gareth Bale (82’) –N/A. No late heroics from the on loan Real Madrid man. AP -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: Dean Henderson 8. Belting save from Son and again from Kane at the near post after 72 – the save was praised by Jose Mourinho. Confident, courageous and comfortable throughout. His teammates trust him and he’s performing to the expected levels. EPA -
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 7. Got into advanced positions and found spaces, especially in the second half. Looking more confident overall as his side outclassed Spurs. Reuters -
Victor Lindelof 7. Cleared an early Aurier cross before it reached Kane but couldn’t deal with Kane’s ball to Son for Spurs’ opener. Improved, like his team, after the break. It has been a good week for the Swede. AFP -
Harry Maguire 7. Booked for pulling Kane – one of five United to receive a yellow card against one from Spurs, but kept Kane at bay. Key to this United side and the only player who has played every single league minute this season. Amusing watching him be the only player who shouted in English after Cavani’s goal. EPA -
Luke Shaw 8. Best player in a poor first half. Lovely ball to Wan Bissaka as United tried to equalise, then an even better ball with the outside of his left foot towards Fernandes in a similar position as United looked to get ahead. Confident and in-form. AP -
Scott McTominay 7. Important job alongside Fred dealing with Kane and Son. Booked after a 17th minute foul on fleet-heeled Ndombele and then a United goal was ruled out by VAR because he was accused of fouling Son. It was an awful decision: McTominay was in possession and Son grabbed at his shirt, for which he batted him away like any player would do. Son went down heavily, which was a surprise. PA -
Fred 8. The Brazilian scored! It’ll need to be ratified by the United Nations as it’s a world first, but his undiluted joy was shared by his teammates. Fernandes was so impressed he pushed him over. Tireless in the second half as United dominated midfield. He had more touches than any other player on the pitch - and he also started the move which led to his goal. -
Marcus Rashford 7. Felt he’d been fouled by Lo Celso on a rare first half attack after a slow start to the game by both teams. Missed out on the winning action as he’d been replaced by Greenwood. PA -
Bruno Fernandes 7. Never been on losing side in 22 Premier League away games and that looked in doubt at half time, but this is United and they come from behind. He also came alive in the second half. Super shot after 62 which was well saved by Lloris. AFP -
Paul Pogba 8. Won a difficult header in United’s first proper attack. Exceptionally timed pass to Cavani to set up what he thought was the first goal. As influential in the second half as he was in the equivalent fixture last season and had a chance to put his team ahead but his backheel was blocked. Best player on the field. Also hit the post – his own post – with an 83rd minute header. Set up the third, too. Fortunate not to be booked for a foul on Aurier. EPA -
Edinson Cavani 9. Clever early touch set up Rashford in United’s first attack and then a sublime finish after combining with Pogba to think he’d put United ahead. He hadn’t. You couldn’t blame him for wanting to go back to South America: he’s had absolutely no luck since he moved to Manchester in September. And yet…he was superb in the second half, shot before Fred’s goal and got the winner. He also stopped a certain Spurs equaliser at the other end. Justice. Reuters -
SUBS: Mason Greenwood 6. On for Rashford after 72 and showed his threat by cutting in and shooting. Scored the third after going past Reguilon with ease. He can go past defenders in either direction – and how defenders hate that. AP -
Nemanja Matic N/A On for Fernandes after 89 minutes as United tried to see the game out. Getty Images
United are in a strong position ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final return leg against Granada at Old Trafford, having claimed a 2-0 win in the away leg.
Marcus Rashford overcame injury concerns to open the scoring that night and, having been withdrawn in the second half, managed 72 minutes of Sunday's 3-1 Premier League win at Tottenham.
But the 23-year-old, who has been dealing with an ankle complaint, looks set to be sidelined for the return fixture against Granada having missed training on the eve of the game.
United said: "Daniel James is fit, despite missing the win at Tottenham through injury, but Marcus Rashford had to sit out training on Wednesday and is, therefore, doubtful for the tie."
Solskjaer will be without captain Harry Maguire, midfielder Scott McTominay and left-back Luke Shaw through suspension on Thursday after they collected bookings in Andalusia.
Uefa has handed United a €7,000 ($8,300) fine for picking up five yellow cards in the first leg win, while several players are walking a suspension tightrope ahead of the semi-finals.
"It's never a positive thing to not have every player available but we've got players ready to deputise and come into the team of course," Solskjaer said.
"It was [a booking] amnesty after this quarter final so we hoped to get them through, but there were some easy yellow cards that the ref handed out. We're ready to deal with that."
Anthony Martial and Phil Jones remain injured for a game that Eric Bailly will miss despite returning from the Ivory Coast, where he had previously tested positive for Covid-19.
"We have to make sure that we go through," Solskjaer added. "I always pick a team that I think will win a game and we will go into it wanting to win this.
"I know Granada will want to come and give it our all but we also want to improve our performances, build our momentum that we're on and have a good performance.
"There will be a few changes. Of course some of them are forced and some are maybe rotation."
