Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick reportedly waited until Monday to inform the players of his tactics for the team's game against Liverpool on Tuesday.
The Red Devils were comprehensively beaten 4-0 at Anfield. The result leaves United sixth in the Premier League, three points behind Tottenham in fourth having played a game more. Arsenal are also in the hunt for Champions League football, sitting in fifth.
It's not unusual for managers to hold back the starting line-up until the day before a game, yet they usually reveal their tactics much earlier. This allows players to prepare for the task ahead by practising shape and style. They also have time to analyse their opponents.
According to The Telegraph, Rangnick's plan to deploy a back five instead of the usual back four was only revealed 24 hours before the game. This strategy was ditched at half-time with the score 2-0 to Liverpool, as Phil Jones was replaced by Jadon Sancho.
"I don't think this would've changed anything, to be honest," said Rangnick when asked if he regretted deploying a back five. He went on to say: "It's embarrassing, it's disappointing, maybe even humiliating. Especially in the first half, we were just not up to it.
"We were nowhere. We could have had a back line of six or seven, if you don't try to win second balls first, not even to speak of first balls... we were second best in all relevant areas of the first half and that is just not good enough... we are not up for it."
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Rangnick's interim spell as United boss will come to an end in May after Erik ten Hag was confirmed as the club's next permanent manager. The Dutchman, 52, will leave current side Ajax at the end of the season after signing a three-year deal at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag has impressed since becoming Ajax boss in December 2017, winning five trophies - including two Eredivisie titles - to date. He is set to extend that tally to six next month, as his team sit four points clear at the top of the table with five fixtures remaining.
United players are said to have complained about Rangnick's tactics in the past. A source told Mirror Football in January the German was seen as "outdated" in the dressing room, having not coached another team since leading RB Leipzig in 2018-19.
And reports in February suggested Rangnick's assistant Chris Armas was mockingly nicknamed "Ted Lasso" after the fictional American soccer coach who knows little about the game. Armas, a former New York Red Bulls manager, is also American.
"About the formation, nobody has to worry about that more than the coach and his staff," said Bruno Fernandes when asked about the rumours in February.
"We [the players] have to follow what the manager thinks is the best way for us. In this club I never heard someone complain about the tactics and I hope no-one will do that, it is not respectful."
