The Boys in Green boss' decision to set out negative tactics against the Red Devils resulted in an emphatic Euro 2016 defeat
ANALYSIS
In stark contrast to the radicalism of Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, which yielded victory over Ukraine, the Republic of Ireland were comprehensively undone against Belgium by the innate conservatism of his namesake Martin.
Acting to fill the gap created by Jonathan Walters' Achilles injury, O'Neill opted against replacing the Stoke City striker with James McClean in a straight swap. McClean and Shane Long were thus denied the opportunity to reprise the high-pressing double act that featured strongly in tournament warm-up friendlies against Slovakia and Belarus in recent months.