Any good reason why we don't use "throwback tactics" like yesteryear?

So many teams now play 442 out of possession now that it is starting to become the norm again I think. United were doing it for the most part against Villa.

It all becomes a bit more fluid when teams have the ball, but it seems like a lot of coaches are deciding 442 is the best set up for pressing outside of transitions at the moment.

I don't think teams ever really stopped defending in a 442. Obviously there have been teams defending in a 541/532/etc as well, but dropping into two banks of four never went out of style. Pressing high in a 442/424 is pretty ubiquitous now as you say, although you could argue that's just the same thing on a different bit of grass.

As for getting crosses in, supposedly one open play cross into the box in 92 leads to a goal, so Moyes had the right idea that day against Fulham, but his wingers fell 11 crosses short.
 
We've been trying for so long to try possession based football.

Our wide attackers, whoever plays there, tend to cut inside and dribble their way through a sea of defenders or they try a worldie shot at goal. It doesn't work very often.

Why can't we go back to similar tactics from seasons ago? Exploit the flanks. Whip crosses in and around the box. This causes defenders to panic a bit as it creates chaos. Our style of play at the moment is so measured that it allows the opposition to get their players into position and we don't have thecalibre of players to pick those players apart.

You meant the Moyes Century Cross tactics? Tried that and failed. Perhaps better luck in Championship or Division A.
 
The majority of our attacks today were balls over the top and everyone floor forward.

We also try and hit Hojlund as a target man and try to play off him, we're playing yesteryear stuff as it plays to the strengths of our players.