Erik ten Hag's tenure at Manchester United taught me that overly fluid build-up structures do not work.
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Here we see one of United's build-up structures as Maguire inverts into midfield when play is recycled & Dalot positions himself as a situational centre half (out of shot).
In these circumstances, Maguire is used for wall passes (Onana β‘οΈ Maguire β‘οΈ Dalot via a first time pass).
In these circumstances, Maguire is used for wall passes (Onana β‘οΈ Maguire β‘οΈ Dalot via a first time pass).
Alternatively, if the ball is played to Dalot, United then build in a 3-1 or a 4-1 shape (depending on where Reguilon is) as Maguire drops back into the last line of defence.
There are several problems with this approach.
There are several problems with this approach.
The 3-2 shape (Dalot-Onana-Shaw; Maguire-Amrabat) is disjointed positionally.
The passing distances between Onana and the situational centre backs is large.
Not only that, but when the situational centre backs receive, they have few passing options in midfield as Maguire drops.
The passing distances between Onana and the situational centre backs is large.
Not only that, but when the situational centre backs receive, they have few passing options in midfield as Maguire drops.
This often results in them passing directly into the fullback who also may have several options, but all of them are often poor.
Reguilon, in this situation, has a variety of options but the subsequent passing options for his teammates are limited or non-existent.
Reguilon, in this situation, has a variety of options but the subsequent passing options for his teammates are limited or non-existent.
Reguilon recycles to Shaw who also has little-to-no options and United end up recycling possession to Onana who pumps the ball long.
This is United's most common method of building play when they do try to play out from the back (albeit with variations included).
It's poor.
This is United's most common method of building play when they do try to play out from the back (albeit with variations included).
It's poor.
When they don't try to play out (which is often), they pump the ball long into midfield and try to counterpress high with McTominay & Bruno in advanced #8 positions.
Sometimes they drop to get involved in the build-up, but the fluidity in their roles epitomises United's issues.
Sometimes they drop to get involved in the build-up, but the fluidity in their roles epitomises United's issues.
United's biggest problem, in short, is the lack of close proximity they have in midfield.
They almost solely operate with 1 pivot option, and even in the moments where they don't it negatively impacts the positional play deep (with 1 less centre back) or high (with 1 less #8)..
They almost solely operate with 1 pivot option, and even in the moments where they don't it negatively impacts the positional play deep (with 1 less centre back) or high (with 1 less #8)..
This makes them disjointed in possession but also out of possession.
It is entirely damning that Andoni Iraola said that he KNEW Bournemouth would get chances in transition, but it was obvious, really.
Look at how isolated Amrabat is in defensive transition here.
It is entirely damning that Andoni Iraola said that he KNEW Bournemouth would get chances in transition, but it was obvious, really.
Look at how isolated Amrabat is in defensive transition here.
All top teams have two players in close proximity in midfield in the build-up.
That can be achieved through a variety of ways, but they must be repeatable and rigid.
At Arsenal Γdegaard drops deep alongside Rice and Havertz stays high. Then, higher up, Zinchenko inverts inside.
That can be achieved through a variety of ways, but they must be repeatable and rigid.
At Arsenal Γdegaard drops deep alongside Rice and Havertz stays high. Then, higher up, Zinchenko inverts inside.
The structure is clear.
The same is present at City as the inverted centre back starts and stays in midfield as Ederson acts as a situational centre back to create a back 4 (not a 3 like United).
Liverpool also build in a 4-2-4 before transitioning into a 3-2-5 higher.
The same is present at City as the inverted centre back starts and stays in midfield as Ederson acts as a situational centre back to create a back 4 (not a 3 like United).
Liverpool also build in a 4-2-4 before transitioning into a 3-2-5 higher.
I could go on, but Manchester United consistently empty their midfield unlike the other top teams, and it kills them.
The Chelsea game fooled the masses into thinking that they were back, but Pochettino's game plan was horrid.
It was a facade, and ten Hag's team are a mess.
The Chelsea game fooled the masses into thinking that they were back, but Pochettino's game plan was horrid.
It was a facade, and ten Hag's team are a mess.
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