Manchester United Structural Breakdown
A detailed deep dive on two of the biggest current issues for Erik ten Hag to resolve
A detailed deep dive on two of the biggest current issues for Erik ten Hag to resolve
The Two talking points
1- Build up
2- Rest defence/transition defence
1- Build up
2- Rest defence/transition defence
United mainly build in a 3-2 structure however the personnel and positioning within that changes. It usually involves one FB tucking inside to form the back 3 with the other FB tucking into the double pivot
The lack of consistency within that is something that makes it unpredictable to play against, but also unpredictable for the United players within the set up. There is not always a clear plan, a clear zone for set players to be in. Look at Brighton for example, potentially the best team in the world at deep build up.
Captain Lewis Dunk has give an insight into how they have got to this stage. ‘“It’s rehearsed – don’t worry about that. We rehearse it every day. That is our training. I couldn’t play his position, but now know every position on the pitch and where they should be.
The time they should move and what angles they should give. So yes, we see it every day and it makes life simpler.”
The time they should move and what angles they should give. So yes, we see it every day and it makes life simpler.”
The Galatasaray game was a huge worry for me. The lack of a genuine set up was stark, United should be dominating possession with control and tempo vs a side like Galatasaray, it all stems from deep phases. Lack of control here leads to a lack of game control.
Onana was forced long 25 times vs Galatasaray with United having a deep pass completion of 78%, the lowest so far in the Erik ten Hag reign. The lack of deep progression, carrying ability and press resistance with our CB pairing/6 that night made me think it is perhaps a personnel issue more than structural
The following game vs Brentford reaffirmed to me that it is a personnel issue, with Erik ten Hag removing Casemiro at half time for Christian Eriksen after his poor pass in the second phase led to the Brentford goal. His reason? Simply stated as ‘I wanted to play more football’.
With Amrabat/Eriksen in the double pivot United gained more control, with a season high field tilt of 84% due to the fact United could play through the Brentford press and retain possession as a result of that to pin Brentford in, stemming from those two
The control of possession allows you to control the opposition better from a defensive view point. You keep the ball, pint the opposition team in, raise your defensive line height and make the pitch very compact. It means when your opponent regains possession/has the ball you have numbers in advanced areas for pressing with a lot less ground to cover. The midfield and back 4 can back that press up which makes it so difficult for teams to play through
Backing the press up is the key line for me, it is something that we do not push strongly enough with, specifically the FB backing up the press on the opposing FB. We do not push the FB up, meaning the opponent usually always has a player free to use as an outball to break through the press.
This season it has been even more of an issue because of our lack of a RW. Against Brighton, we played a diamond midfield which meant Hojlund-Rashford marked the CB pairing, Fernandes on the pivot player with McTominay-Eriksen having to move wide to cover the FB pairing.
It did not work, Brighton had comfortable possession, played through us with ease & both wide and central areas were massively exposed
It did not work, Brighton had comfortable possession, played through us with ease & both wide and central areas were massively exposed
I think the reason Ten Hag doesnt back the press with the FB is because of his resistance to allow the CB to be exposed in 1v1 scenarios against the winger. However, my issue with this is I think it does the opposite. The diamond in particular effected this, another reason I blame injuries
- Welbeck drops deep to receive the ball, Eriksen tucks inside to try intercept.
- Veltman holds width, Adingra runs in behind with Reguillon moving to close down the FB
- poor from Casemiro to allow Welbeck a free space in the pocket. Adingra 1v1 vs Martinez
- again Casemiro let’s Welbeck run off him, finding an easy tap in for the goal
- Veltman holds width, Adingra runs in behind with Reguillon moving to close down the FB
- poor from Casemiro to allow Welbeck a free space in the pocket. Adingra 1v1 vs Martinez
- again Casemiro let’s Welbeck run off him, finding an easy tap in for the goal
Casemiro has started the season really poorly and without just putting everything onto him he has been a major reason we have been defensively poor
- lack of ground coverage
- poor duel win rate
- positional discipline
- lack of following runners
It’s been a really poor season for him so far and it appears ten hag is starting to notice aswell with his substitution vs Brentford
- lack of ground coverage
- poor duel win rate
- positional discipline
- lack of following runners
It’s been a really poor season for him so far and it appears ten hag is starting to notice aswell with his substitution vs Brentford
Cut backs are possibly the biggest cause for concern when it comes to our defensive issues. I don’t want to continue the pile the blame onto Casemiro but his lack of screening plus inability to cover the ground required is a huge reason we consistently concede cutbacks
The lack of a backline leader too, in each screenshot our line is far too deep. I understand it’s defending your box but be aggressive, step out to players
The lack of a backline leader too, in each screenshot our line is far too deep. I understand it’s defending your box but be aggressive, step out to players
Injuries have killed United in a way. Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez & Raphael Varane have all missed extended periods of the season. That’s your back 4 gone
Mainoo/Amrabat have been out too, meaning Casemiro hasn’t even had the option of being replaced. Antony’s defensive work rate and intelligence on the RW too
Mainoo/Amrabat have been out too, meaning Casemiro hasn’t even had the option of being replaced. Antony’s defensive work rate and intelligence on the RW too
Transfers are a key aspect of it going forward. The structure itself can be worked on throughout the season but we are still desperate for
- RCB (backline leader)
- 6 (ground eater/duel winner)
Work on the structure, perfect it then bring the players into that
- RCB (backline leader)
- 6 (ground eater/duel winner)
Work on the structure, perfect it then bring the players into that
End of thread
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