Manchester United vs Sheffield United Breakdown
A detailed deep dive on the important win at Bramall Lane
A detailed deep dive on the important win at Bramall Lane
Within the first 25 minutes United had 5x less successful final 3rd passes than SU. This was due to a poor build up, in structure & application of the principles
The 3-1 wasn’t ideal due to the lack of deep progression plus the SU screening of Amrabat. Forced United to open up the passing lanes to the wingers where pressing traps were created or the winger lost their duel
The 3-1 wasn’t ideal due to the lack of deep progression plus the SU screening of Amrabat. Forced United to open up the passing lanes to the wingers where pressing traps were created or the winger lost their duel
The final 3rd decision making was poor, in particular pass selection. The times MU did break the lines we lacked composure
- McT drops deep to pull the SU block out of shape
- Dalot pushes forward into RW as McT is in the RB Zone
- Allows Antony to come inside to the RHS to lay off to Bruno
- poor pass to Højlund, execution needs to be better or find Rashford wide
- McT drops deep to pull the SU block out of shape
- Dalot pushes forward into RW as McT is in the RB Zone
- Allows Antony to come inside to the RHS to lay off to Bruno
- poor pass to Højlund, execution needs to be better or find Rashford wide
With Lindelof at LB and Mason Mount absent we lacked a reciever/progressor in this Zone. BF occupied that but can lack the temperament for the role
Often going long at the long time, trying to force the move with a killer pass rather than sustained pressure
Often going long at the long time, trying to force the move with a killer pass rather than sustained pressure
With McT in the side it meant he had to play further forward to limit his weaknesses and maximise his strengths- pressing, ball wins & ball striking. However that meant a lack of creativity behind Højlund without BF & BFs weaknesses are maximised in that deeper role
Especially in the early moments of this particular game when the game state was a bit chaotic. We need that calming influence
Especially in the early moments of this particular game when the game state was a bit chaotic. We need that calming influence
The goal is scrappy but the actual work before the goal was good
- Antony occupies the half space. Plays a one-two with Dalot who crosses
- Ball recycled by Rashford, plays to the Inverted Lindelof who finds Bruno in the pocket
- his pass is over hit considerably but McT does well to chest control
- watches the flight of the ball well before volleying into the bottom corner
- Antony occupies the half space. Plays a one-two with Dalot who crosses
- Ball recycled by Rashford, plays to the Inverted Lindelof who finds Bruno in the pocket
- his pass is over hit considerably but McT does well to chest control
- watches the flight of the ball well before volleying into the bottom corner
Their goal was poor tbh, Lindelof gives the ball away in a poor area from a sloppy pass. McTominay leans towards the ball, extending his body by putting his arm towards the ball
It’s a blatant penalty. 1-1
It’s a blatant penalty. 1-1
Defending transitions and general rest defence was poor
- Huge gaps between the CB pairing, not good enough to not win the duel from the multiple bodies we had around the ball
- sloppy from Dalot, gives the ball away leading to a 2v2
- Dalot does welk to stop the wingers run but the SU forward takes a shot from range which Onana saves well
Big opportunity for SU which they should have done better from
- Huge gaps between the CB pairing, not good enough to not win the duel from the multiple bodies we had around the ball
- sloppy from Dalot, gives the ball away leading to a 2v2
- Dalot does welk to stop the wingers run but the SU forward takes a shot from range which Onana saves well
Big opportunity for SU which they should have done better from
Within seconds of the second half we seen changes
- WCB splitting to stretch the SU front press
- Diamond midfield with LB inverting to create passing options in each line of the pitch
- Both wingers holding extreme width to stretch the SU block
Slight tweak, Amrabat dropping deeper to provide greater progression
- WCB splitting to stretch the SU front press
- Diamond midfield with LB inverting to create passing options in each line of the pitch
- Both wingers holding extreme width to stretch the SU block
Slight tweak, Amrabat dropping deeper to provide greater progression
Amrabat dropped as the CCB with Maguire pushing to RCB, Allowed Antony to stay wide with Dalot/McT occupying the half space
Back 3 plus Onana consistently overloaded the SU press, meaning we got out a lot quicker and more often. Personell effects tactical plan
Back 3 plus Onana consistently overloaded the SU press, meaning we got out a lot quicker and more often. Personell effects tactical plan
Only 2 minutes in and the slight tweaks allowed us more control and our patterns became more noticeable
- Amrabat drops as the CCB, Evans Splits wide to receive
- Lindelof inverts, moving into a completely free zone.
- MR drops deep, pulling the RB out of position and opening up the pass inside to Lindelof
- Lindelof receives in huge space, Højlund can make the run behind due to the space vacated by the RB
Better execution of the pass and he is through on goal. Better
- Amrabat drops as the CCB, Evans Splits wide to receive
- Lindelof inverts, moving into a completely free zone.
- MR drops deep, pulling the RB out of position and opening up the pass inside to Lindelof
- Lindelof receives in huge space, Højlund can make the run behind due to the space vacated by the RB
Better execution of the pass and he is through on goal. Better
Opportunity created via pressing, something we have missed with Antony’s absent. Wins the ball, plays through Bruno who tees up Rashford.
Has to score. One of a few chances that we missed that simply have to go in. Poor, ruthlessness needed
Has to score. One of a few chances that we missed that simply have to go in. Poor, ruthlessness needed
Ten Hag’s system in build up requires deep progression centred around the CB, Maguire epitomised that. His 13 successful long passes was the most of all the PL games of the weekend
- SU screen the 6
- BF run in behind the high line
- HM excellent pass to find him
- BF should do better
Opportunity wasted
- SU screen the 6
- BF run in behind the high line
- HM excellent pass to find him
- BF should do better
Opportunity wasted
United’s slight tactical tweaks to keep Antony/Rashford wide allowed us to command greater terrority
There was options, go short and break through the SU press or lure them in and go long with our wingers in 1v1 situations. Maguire to Rashford was a great example of this, or here with Antony.
There was options, go short and break through the SU press or lure them in and go long with our wingers in 1v1 situations. Maguire to Rashford was a great example of this, or here with Antony.
From this we won the corner that led to the Amrabat shot that hit the crossbar. The switch of play from Maguire did not directly lead to a shot but look at the bigger picture
Led to a 1v1 duel that gained Utd a corner and terrority. But it may have led to a chance, you have to keep pushing it. Unlucky here from Amrabat
Led to a 1v1 duel that gained Utd a corner and terrority. But it may have led to a chance, you have to keep pushing it. Unlucky here from Amrabat
- Lindelof loses possession in the inverted role. MU structurally poor
- Evans loses 1v1 duel. SU player potentially 1v1 with the keeper due to the poor rest defence of MU
- Amrabat recovers wonderfully, showing good speed and tackle timing to win the ball back
Good from the 6 but the structure is poor. I think there are issues within the personell but you cannot be that open in deep phases. A normal build up structure should cater to the rest defence too. That’s a worry
- Evans loses 1v1 duel. SU player potentially 1v1 with the keeper due to the poor rest defence of MU
- Amrabat recovers wonderfully, showing good speed and tackle timing to win the ball back
Good from the 6 but the structure is poor. I think there are issues within the personell but you cannot be that open in deep phases. A normal build up structure should cater to the rest defence too. That’s a worry
Christian Eriksen had a big effect when he came on, offered control but his flexibility in different roles meant that SU found MU difficult to predict
We had a genuine first receiver in the single pivot in Amrabat, a conductor in Eriksen in deep areas plus a top progressor in Maguire. A lot more balanced, his substitute led to the switch in control of the game in MU’s favour
We had a genuine first receiver in the single pivot in Amrabat, a conductor in Eriksen in deep areas plus a top progressor in Maguire. A lot more balanced, his substitute led to the switch in control of the game in MU’s favour
Maguire was MOTM and this front door defending led to United’s extra control and compactness. Pushing up the pitch, winning the ball high and stopping transitions. He was excellent and looked like the player MU signed
Erik ten Hag praised his “proactive” work on + off the ball
Erik ten Hag praised his “proactive” work on + off the ball
- Garnacho Drops deep to pull the RB out of position
- feeds Amrabat who plays in Lindelof whos made a good run into the vacated space.
- United sustain pressure, recycle play and overload the left side to create space centrally for Dalot
- wonderful finish
Principles of Ten Hag again appearing
- feeds Amrabat who plays in Lindelof whos made a good run into the vacated space.
- United sustain pressure, recycle play and overload the left side to create space centrally for Dalot
- wonderful finish
Principles of Ten Hag again appearing
In Build up, personell is a definite reason as to why it is not as fluid as we’ve seen. Martinez/Shaw are two huge misses but we should still be better. Ten Hag said after the game we went too direct, so is it a tactical issue or not??
Is that an instruction? Are the players poorly carrying out that? The second half gave me more hope when the personell was better and the instructions were clear to see
Amrabat, Eriksen, Maguire, Onana. That’s a solid 4 to play through most presses. We need to control games more, be more patient, have better temperament. The second half was a good piece of evidence to show we can do that
Is that an instruction? Are the players poorly carrying out that? The second half gave me more hope when the personell was better and the instructions were clear to see
Amrabat, Eriksen, Maguire, Onana. That’s a solid 4 to play through most presses. We need to control games more, be more patient, have better temperament. The second half was a good piece of evidence to show we can do that
Final 3rd issues are definitely there. I think the biggest issues are decision making ie pass selection; when to shoot and the quality of those final moments
I think key players like Bruno/Rashford both are playing under their usual quality. We are lacking decisive moments from them and the finishing just hasn’t been there
There has definitely been misfortune. Bruno and Amrabat both hitting the bar yesterday, the keeper made a few good saves but we need to be more clinical. We shouldn’t have to rely on Højlund yet but we are and we need him to start firing
I think key players like Bruno/Rashford both are playing under their usual quality. We are lacking decisive moments from them and the finishing just hasn’t been there
There has definitely been misfortune. Bruno and Amrabat both hitting the bar yesterday, the keeper made a few good saves but we need to be more clinical. We shouldn’t have to rely on Højlund yet but we are and we need him to start firing
The stats back up the analysis. Utd played so poorly in the first half and that came down to a lack of control
The second half was the complete opposite. Control, chances, shots, limited SU in these manners. Much much better
The second half was the complete opposite. Control, chances, shots, limited SU in these manners. Much much better
The field tilt says the same, so much more control in the second half
The only thing I would say is we need to kill the game earlier plus control to the end, killing all hope of a SU comeback
The only thing I would say is we need to kill the game earlier plus control to the end, killing all hope of a SU comeback
End of thread
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