Everton drew 4-4 with Man Utd using Bielsa’s tactics
David Moyes has insisted that Marcelo Bielsa played a significant role in Manchester City’s title triumph over Manchester United in 2012.
Manchester United crashed out of the Europa League that year at the hands of Bielsa’s fearless Athletic Bilbao side – losing 3-2 at home in the first-leg, and 2-1 away in the second-leg.
Moyes, who was still Everton manager at the time, was in attendance for Bilbao’s triumph at Old Trafford and has since revealed that he copied some of the tactics that ‘El Loco’ used to set his team up.
A month after the Red Devils had exited the Europa League, they drew 4-4 with Everton and provided Manchester City with an advantage in the title race – which the Sky Blues eventually went on to win.
“I’ve always admired Bielsa, wherever he’s been. I remember I went to watch his Athletic Bilbao team against Manchester United,” recalled Moyes.
“The day we drew 4-4 – it just about stopped Manchester United winning the league the season before Sir Alex left – I’d seen how Athletic Bilbao played and thought I’m going to have to play like that with Everton, and we got a draw.
“His teams always have incredible energy. Everybody’s man-to-man marking in many areas of the pitch. But they are more than that, they are also a very good passing team. And for that the manager deserves great credit.”
🗣 "That result may have stopped Man United from winning the league."
David Moyes reveals he based the way Everton played against Manchester United on Marcelo Bielsa's Bilbao in 2012 when they drew 4-4 pic.twitter.com/2NHBbxLNaF
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 24, 2021
The current West Ham manager is gearing-up to face Bielsa on Saturday afternoon as the Hammers travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United, who are currently winless in this season’s Premier League campaign.
Last season, Moyes’ side did the double over The Whites – winning 2-1 away and 2-0 at home.
They have also made a promising start to this season, having won twice and drawn twice before losing to Man Utd last weekend.
Despite Leeds’ underwhelming start to the campaign, Moyes has been keen to praise the Yorkshire outfit.
“If you watch their games they have had a difficult start to the season, but everyone enjoys watching Leeds United,” he said.
“It is a really tough game, with the energy they put into their game it is going to be a test for anyone who plays them.
“I think we’re just going to try and do what West Ham have been doing recently, to be positive in our play and score goals, but also to be strong defensively.
“I think if you look at Leeds’ play, you’d consider them a really positive team, so we have to think like that as well.
“We’ll try and attack them and score when we can, but we’ll have another tough job trying to defend against them.”
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