Ten Hag's United have lacked a defined style as of yet but that's not down to the managers structure because it's clear that the way he intends to set the team up is top class, but the biggest problem is the sheer lack of quality across the park in a variety of formats.
THREAD!
THREAD!
De Gea has improved marginally from a technical perspective but still isn't good enough when playing out from the back which causes unnecessary turnovers. Varane & Martinez as a partnership are passive in their positioning of the last line meaning United lack vertical compactness
This means that when pressing the block can be easy to play through because there's large gaps between the lines from front to back. It also means that ten Hag's pressing structure (fullbacks backing up the wingers as they invert to press centre backs) is often poorly implemented
There is also a lack of reliable intensity within the front line of pressing, whether that be through Rashford, Ronaldo or Martial not pressing with the intensity the elites do. And there is also a lack of technical security across the park so turnovers are a regular occurrence.
Even profile-wise there's issues. Eriksen has been great but primarily in games where United A) sustain pressure or B) can counter-attack reliably. He's not so useful when the team are pressed high because he's not a natural in the build-up the way a Frenkie de Jong is.
& then the alternative to him is Fred who's limited in every phase of play despite being okay across the board, but he in himself is a symbol of United's problems - he's not the optimal profile for his position and isn't secure technically, although has the intensity others lack.
All of these issues as a collective make for chaotic games that are largely unpredictable. United have good qualities amongst this with some top individuals across the park but the group is troubled as a whole.
The team is not currently replicating what a ten Hag team is.
The team is not currently replicating what a ten Hag team is.
Ten Hag's structure is clear and the intent within it is also clear. He wants the team to play out from the back, dominate games using his 3-1-6 structure with fluidity of positioning across that structure (although maintenance of each zone is key), & an aggressive (counter)press
But games aren't resembling that as of yet due to the fact that his squad aren't *there* yet.
However, if we take a look at the long-term trajectory of his plan it's clear we see an elite on and off ball structure that with the right additions will see United become great again.
However, if we take a look at the long-term trajectory of his plan it's clear we see an elite on and off ball structure that with the right additions will see United become great again.
Eriksen on a free was a masterstroke as he's someone who can deputise from Bruno in the #10 whilst also having *some* of the necessary qualities in the #8 role which is a steal for free. Malacia is an optimal technical profile who excels in the 3-1 build-up, as does Martinez.
Guys like Malacia and Martinez are imperative profiles for ten Hag's team to dominate games in the long run. They're both incredible technically as they operate in a low centre of gravity but are also tenacious in nature & front-footed defenders who can defend within a high line.
Casemiro is an exceptional single pivot option and one of the few players in the world who's good enough on and off the ball to excel in that role for United, and although Antony is flawed due to his physical limitations and one-footedness, his profile fits the system.
Antony is someone who needs the burden of output responsibility taken off of him which is why he's not a good wing pairing with Sancho. Both lack the explosive speed and output potential of a Marcus Rashford or a Rafael LeΓ£o, who United have recently scouted.
However, balance-wise, a combination of explosion and one wing and creativity/playmaking on the other wing is optimal to sustain attacks and entice combination play whilst also maintaining a sufficient threat in behind. Antony/Sancho can accumulate 20 G+A whereas LeΓ£o can get 30+
As can Rashford, for that matter. Either way, although the outlay may have been overly expensive for Antony, the signing makes sense in relation to the long-term trajectory and suitability of the system.
As such, the signings ten Hag has made and is linked with are all suitable.
As such, the signings ten Hag has made and is linked with are all suitable.
Give him another summer window and United will evolve again within his tactic. They'll get a technically proficient goalkeeper, a centre forward who's more complete on and off the ball, and the last line will be more accomplished to be aggressive to improve the teams compactness.
Those physical, technical and stylistic misfits will begin to diminish and United's games will go from transition-based chaos to controlled & methodical, much like the transition Arteta's Arsenal have undergone in their start to the season. The difference is ETH has a better base
And what I mean by that is he's already got fantastic players at the club but merely needs to add those to consistently replicate his high quality tactic, and we will then begin to see Manchester United 'back' and challenging with the big boys again, but what's needed is time.
I have always maintained that United won't get top four this season. It's an unrealistic expectation of the players and manager to expect that due to the fact that other clubs are far more advanced in their projects and are ready to win 'now'.
United are only at the start.
United are only at the start.
Given time, though, it's clear that ten Hag has the structure and squad building skills to succeed at the club, and it's also been evident as to what a fierce leader he is who's not afraid to make difficult decisions such as leaving Ronaldo out.
United are in very good hands.
United are in very good hands.
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