MANCHESTER UNITED VS NEWCASTLE TACTICAL ANALYSIS
A detailed deep dive on Erik Ten Hags master plan and how it led to his first major trophy as Manchester United Manager
A detailed deep dive on Erik Ten Hags master plan and how it led to his first major trophy as Manchester United Manager
United lined up In a 433/4231 formation. Standard keeper/back 4 with Casemiro sitting just in front. Fred/Fernandes as the two 8s with Rashford, Antony & Weghorst rotating in a fluid front 3
There was positional fluidity with the front 4 plus the midfield forming a double pivot
There was positional fluidity with the front 4 plus the midfield forming a double pivot
Newcastle lined up in a similar style. Again standard back 4 but in midfield, Guimaraes found himself receiving as the single pivot. Joelinton/Longstaff pressing high in front of him
ASM as the attacking outlet with Almiron often dropping inside. Wilson as the focal point at CF
ASM as the attacking outlet with Almiron often dropping inside. Wilson as the focal point at CF
Newcastle made a really good start, pinning United back and creating a big chance through their wide players
Tripper into longstaff who plays a dangerous ball across the box. ASM recovers the ball, jinks past Dalot before hitting a fierce shot which De Gea saves. Early warning
Tripper into longstaff who plays a dangerous ball across the box. ASM recovers the ball, jinks past Dalot before hitting a fierce shot which De Gea saves. Early warning
Newcastle lined up in a 433. Bruno Guimaraes was at the base as a single pivot. The CBs were able to progress the ball to him, once he received he could dribble past the United midfield or play intricate passes to progress Newcastle through the United press
This caused problems
This caused problems
Newcastle consistently fed Saint Maximan, Dalot received an early yellow card which made this task even tougher for Dalot
Saint Maximans ability dragged United players over to help Dalot, leaving space centrally and on the far wing where Newcastle had overloads
Saint Maximans ability dragged United players over to help Dalot, leaving space centrally and on the far wing where Newcastle had overloads
The first goal was a huge moment. The cross from Luke Shaw is absolutely incredible, a header from Casemiro to match
This allowed United to sit a little deeper, forcing Newcastle out which meant they couldn’t play their aggressive mid block pressing style. Advantage United
This allowed United to sit a little deeper, forcing Newcastle out which meant they couldn’t play their aggressive mid block pressing style. Advantage United
The second goal was a hammer blow. Weghorst does well, disrupting the Schar clearance which Casemiro heads back into Rashford
Weghorst times the pass excellently, good run by Rashford who finished with a slice of good fortune. Karius should do better too. 2-0 United
Weghorst times the pass excellently, good run by Rashford who finished with a slice of good fortune. Karius should do better too. 2-0 United
Erik ten Hag decided to bring on Wan bissaka at half time. A smart change, taking off the carded Dalot for a more suited 1v1 defender with long limbs and excellent tackling to stop ASM
Newcastle continued to find ASM but with no luck, leading to his substitution
Newcastle continued to find ASM but with no luck, leading to his substitution
Wan bissaka tried to force ASM down the line where he knows he has the beating of him. Saint Maximan tried to go inside where he was met by the Brazilian wall in Casemiro
He doubled up with AWB, covering the inside route, completely nullifying the threat on the LW
He doubled up with AWB, covering the inside route, completely nullifying the threat on the LW
Then when Saint Maximan did get free from Casemiro, Wan Bissaka was there again. He made 7 tackles in the second half, often stopping key crosses but this one was excellent
A high turnover which United should have made more of. Brilliant sub from Ten Hag
A high turnover which United should have made more of. Brilliant sub from Ten Hag
Newcastle made a switch of their own, bringing Longstaff off for Isak. Isak did well however it limited the Newcastle build up
The single pivot was gone, Guimaraes/Joelinton playing as a midfield 2. Fred and Bruno pushed up on them, limiting the options Newcastle had in build up
The single pivot was gone, Guimaraes/Joelinton playing as a midfield 2. Fred and Bruno pushed up on them, limiting the options Newcastle had in build up
The switch also meant Casemiro was left free to screen the back 4. He had a free role, starting centrally in front of the CB pairing to block the passing lanes, he dropped to a back 3 when Newcastle broke the press & he picked up Isak when he dropped between the lines
United didn’t have the bulk of possession however they demonstrated control after this change
Newcastle were forced to go long, they couldn’t sustain attacks and United were comfortable in aerial duels
Newcastle were forced to go long, they couldn’t sustain attacks and United were comfortable in aerial duels
Ten Hag noticed this and made a very clever change bringing on Sabitzer and McTominwy
They provided a better defensive screen, more aerial prowess & made the centre of the pitch impenetrable forcing Newcastle wide where AWB had the better of ASM & Bruno shunted Tripper
They provided a better defensive screen, more aerial prowess & made the centre of the pitch impenetrable forcing Newcastle wide where AWB had the better of ASM & Bruno shunted Tripper
Bruno moved to the LW, Sabitzer was the most advanced of the midfielders & his counter pressing was absolutely excellent
He showed good positioning, putting Newcastle under pressure & winning the ball back to release Rashford for the counter attack
He showed good positioning, putting Newcastle under pressure & winning the ball back to release Rashford for the counter attack
As soon as United went 2-0 up the counter threat was always on. Weghorst and Fred both had opportunities to add to the lead
The change of McTominay/Sabitzer also allowed Rashford to move into CF, pushing the Newcastle defensive line back and adding the threat of pace in behind
The change of McTominay/Sabitzer also allowed Rashford to move into CF, pushing the Newcastle defensive line back and adding the threat of pace in behind
United defended admirably the entire game. The work rate from the front 3 was absolutely excellent
Antony tracked back tirelessly especially in the first half, supporting Dalot against Saint Maximan to try create 2v1s against him
Antony tracked back tirelessly especially in the first half, supporting Dalot against Saint Maximan to try create 2v1s against him
Wout Weghorst was also very impressive. He led the press, worked unbelievably hard and another underrated asset of his game is how he works for players
His work rate allows Rashford to conserve energy, staying further forward with Weghorst dropping back to help the defence
His work rate allows Rashford to conserve energy, staying further forward with Weghorst dropping back to help the defence
United defended in a deep mid block, there defending was excellent but the desire to defend was incredible
Every player was willing to put their body on the line to make blocks, Martinez and Varane were absolutely superb
Every player was willing to put their body on the line to make blocks, Martinez and Varane were absolutely superb
Erik ten Hag mentioned post game about the influence of Casemiro/Varane. Their winning mentality and how they can be coaches on the pitch
Casemiro here is scanning the pitch looking for the correct positioning, Varane leading the back 4 into position. Both were fantastic
Casemiro here is scanning the pitch looking for the correct positioning, Varane leading the back 4 into position. Both were fantastic
United in the end deserves the win. It wasn’t the best performance under Erik ten Hag but the team showed grit/determination needed to win a cup final
I was really impressed by the ruthlessness shown in attacking areas and the solidity defensively
I was really impressed by the ruthlessness shown in attacking areas and the solidity defensively
Every player played well and worked hard. However the standouts for me was Varane, Martinez and Casemiro
All 3 were so calm on the ball when being pressed, positioning was perfect all game and they made an incredible amount of defensive actions
All 3 were so calm on the ball when being pressed, positioning was perfect all game and they made an incredible amount of defensive actions
The man of the match was Erik ten Hag
The game plan was perfect, substitutes were spot on. United managed the game excellently and that stems from the manager on the sideline. The full management team deserve credit
The game plan was perfect, substitutes were spot on. United managed the game excellently and that stems from the manager on the sideline. The full management team deserve credit
End of thread
Thank you for reading! All thoughts dropped below in the comments, love your feedback. Please like and retweet the thread, I appreciate it a lot
Follow for more content. Thank you🙏
Thank you for reading! All thoughts dropped below in the comments, love your feedback. Please like and retweet the thread, I appreciate it a lot
Follow for more content. Thank you🙏
Loading suggestions...