Manchester United’s Pre-Season ~ IN DEPTH ANALYSIS 👀
This thread will analyse the main talking points from pre-season, including:
- Build-Up Structure
- Inverted Fullbacks
- Midfield Dynamics
- Anthony Martial
- Compact Shape
- Build-Up Structure
- Inverted Fullbacks
- Midfield Dynamics
- Anthony Martial
- Compact Shape
- Build-Up Structure
Ten Hag requires his GK to be an active part of build up, with the two CBs split. We’ve seen some promising signs from De Gea already. This is simple, but extremely vital so that Manchester United can beat the opposition press.
Ten Hag requires his GK to be an active part of build up, with the two CBs split. We’ve seen some promising signs from De Gea already. This is simple, but extremely vital so that Manchester United can beat the opposition press.
De Gea has received criticism for his sub par distribution, ranking in the 36th percentile for Pass Completion %. However, in previous years De Gea has not been asked to be an integral part of United’s build up from back to front. He ranks in the bottom 1% for passes attempted.
No doubt we’ve still seen many passes go astray in pre season, but De Gea has looked slightly more comfortable with his feet.
ETH values the ball playing attributes most highly when he judges CBs, think about the likes of Blind, Timber, Martinez. It’s very important that the CBs progress the ball quickly. Maguire has shown progression, but could release passes quicker.
Victor Lindelof has also impressed in this aspect, as well as Varane on a couple of occasions.
Lindelof cross field switch:
Lindelof cross field switch:
Varane passing between the lines to Dalot:
In terms of the structure of build-up, Lindelof and Maguire/Varane have often split apart with the next line being a 3 of Dalot, Fred and Shaw/ Malacia, therefore making a 2-3 shape in build up.
With De Gea being part of the build up structure as well, United can outnumber the two Liverpool and Palace central players with a 4 vs 2 overload.
The role of Fred is quite interesting. If De Jong were to come to United, I think he’d take up this role that Fred is occupying.
The role of Fred is quite interesting. If De Jong were to come to United, I think he’d take up this role that Fred is occupying.
Fred is often taking the ball off the CBs and then looking to play a progressive pass and he’s done okay in this role. But Frenkie de Jong would elevate our build up play to another level.
In the tweet below, Fred receives a pass from Lindelof and passes backwards to Maguire.
In the tweet below, Fred receives a pass from Lindelof and passes backwards to Maguire.
In this circumstance, FDJ probably turns forwards and looks to play a forward pass, breaking opposition lines and getting United on the attack. So there’s room for improvement there. The structure is good, the profile needs tweaking.
- Inverted Fullbacks
One of the first things I noticed against Liverpool was the inverted positions of Shaw and Dalot during certain times of the match. When Dalot was wider, Shaw came inside, vice versa:
One of the first things I noticed against Liverpool was the inverted positions of Shaw and Dalot during certain times of the match. When Dalot was wider, Shaw came inside, vice versa:
Theoretically, when building attacks, you don’t want both of your fullbacks too narrow, lack of width, not stretching opposition etc. You also don’t want them too wide, as that leaves too much space centrally for the opposition to counter in, therefore having a full back wider…
…to stretch the opposition and one more inverted, to offer more shorter passing options in the middle of the park and also being in a better position individually in defensive transition, makes sense.
Here, Dalot inverts and is now in a better position to impact the game.
Here, Dalot inverts and is now in a better position to impact the game.
- Midfield Dynamics
Fred has been playing as the deeper midfield player so far, with Mctominay/Donny slightly more advanced and Bruno/Eriksen the most advanced. Neither Mctominay or Fred are “lone” number 6s, but Ten Hag has to play one of them slightly deeper, for now.
Fred has been playing as the deeper midfield player so far, with Mctominay/Donny slightly more advanced and Bruno/Eriksen the most advanced. Neither Mctominay or Fred are “lone” number 6s, but Ten Hag has to play one of them slightly deeper, for now.
When Eriksen has played, the dynamic has slightly changed. Donny and Eriksen both like to occupy spaces in the attacking third, attacking number 8s. Eriksen was highly influential against Atlético Madrid and created 1 big chance in 21 minutes.
He could have easily gained another assist here:
- Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial has been one of the standout players from pre- season, he’s really impressed playing at number 9.
Dropping deeper into pockets, receiving the ball and then linking up with team mates.
Anthony Martial has been one of the standout players from pre- season, he’s really impressed playing at number 9.
Dropping deeper into pockets, receiving the ball and then linking up with team mates.
However, what has shown very evidently is Martial’s determination off the ball. We’ve seen him harrying defenders, forcing mistakes and being really proactive out of possession. This is something he will have keep on doing under Ten Hag.
- Compact Shape
Something very noticeable from pre-season has been the way United have defended, very often opting to press high in a compact shape.
All 10 outfield players squeezing the pitch and condensing the space against Liverpool.
Something very noticeable from pre-season has been the way United have defended, very often opting to press high in a compact shape.
All 10 outfield players squeezing the pitch and condensing the space against Liverpool.
A big weakness of our system as a whole will be vulnerability to counter attacks. You can see here the risky nature of a high press, especially when you don’t use tactical fouls to stop the break. The likes of Fred could improve their decision making.
Generally we’ve been more compact and De Gea has opted to sweep more often than usual, which is important to reduce the space for the opposition to attack. The most important thing is to reduce the spaces between our defence, midfield and attack.
We’ve done that decently well.
We’ve done that decently well.
However there’s room for improvement, which will come when Ten Hag gets all the profiles that suit his foundations in the next few windows.
In terms of this window, he needs at least 3 more first team signings and De Jong will be key to improving the balance of our team.
In terms of this window, he needs at least 3 more first team signings and De Jong will be key to improving the balance of our team.
Thank you for reading this thread. I tried to incorporate as much as possible. Other notable points could be:
- Sancho
- Savage, Iqbal, Garnacho
- Martinez
Please do LIKE, RETWEET and FOLLOW @ThreadmanChaza for more analysis like this. I appreciate all the support.
- Sancho
- Savage, Iqbal, Garnacho
- Martinez
Please do LIKE, RETWEET and FOLLOW @ThreadmanChaza for more analysis like this. I appreciate all the support.
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