From Man Utd appointment of Ten Haag, we can conclude and agree we wanted to move towards an agressive (out of possession) and controlled (in possesion) tyype of play which is the modern football type. Mastering these two is key to create chances and win games in a pleasing dominant way as the best teams in the last decade have done.
But, Man Utd suffers from many deeprooted problems all over the club. Player power, poor disciplinary record and mentality, supplemented by poor running of a football club across various levels. As Ragnick said it, we need an open heart surgery, just splashing money left and right is not the way forward (we did spend a lot over the last decade, but poorly). Its just a way to calm supporters, just splash money and buy.
Ten Haag is not a god! We are expecting him to do everything from training, to scouting, to disciplinary, to observe nutrition, to run the club and so on and so on. Other successfull teams have efficient foorball hierarchy with a strategic view working hand in hand with the manager and truly supporting them. Now in my opinion i will try to provide my view on each players strength and style of play which suits ten haag.
GK:
Onana: A ten Haag signing and suit his style. More than De Gea. He is not the same wall as De Gea in his peak, but claiming that De Gea is better is really not the right way to go. Onana was bought in because we wanted to evolve our style to a more proactive way, playing possession football and having 1 possession confortable player to play with. Unfortunately, due to injuries, in front of him we didnt and still not have the required players to receive risky balls and capable of ball retaining under pressure. The connection from defence lisandro is not here, shaw was also absent, no real pressure resistant atheletic and confortable in possession defensive midfield in the team. Hence we are not yet getting the most out of him. He is experiencing a number of high profile on target shots which s not helping his case either, the midfield and defence being completely open without the required players. Granted he is also culpable to a number of mistakes, but so was De Gea.
DF:
Only players who really suit Ten Haag style of play are Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Rafael Varane. Shaw and Varane mostly spend their time on the treatment table than the team. Lisandro was unfortunately injured. But at least these three has the mentality to play for the team, they have thick skin and they strive to get better and responds to critics whenever directed at them (shaw demonstrated over his career and martinez). They bring that grit (shaw and lisandro) and that serenity in case of varane. But as said they are not always availlable really affecting style of play.
Case of Maguire. Not a Ten Haag style. But a true professional. Got back from no man's land and still shows determination. He is not a 80 million CB but he is a very good one if we play by his strength. Not suitable in a high line because of lack of speed but at leat a rock in defence (and good injury record) when we are getting battered. Incidently, his value goes up and his defending come to fore when man Utd are being dominated by other team. Very good in a defensive minded team, but not strong in a proactive type of football due to lack of speed and high line. Has good character from what we have seen.
AWB and Dalot: Tries hard, but both have their limitations. One in attack and one in defence. Should be working more on their concentration. A least mentality and attitude wise they get by.
Midfield: Ten Haag type players for a ten haag style midfield of aggressive, technical and controlled way of playing are almost non existent. There is no real balance in the midfield. Could be overcomed if at least players cover for each others weakness but that is lacking.
Bruno: Ticks the cases for creativity, stamina, technicality and mentality. Can be petulant some times but thats another issue. The complete opposite of what we would call controlled. Brunos best game comes when he at least has cover when he is going to losse the ball. Or when he plays in a defensive team and counterattacking team. As we want to transition to a more proactive play he should get cover for his lost ball to truly flourish but unfortunately we dont have that in our midfield.
Ericksen: Tempo setter but past his years already. No longer athletic and mobile enough. Was never his position but could play the tempo setter which we surely lack when we want to control games. Knows when to give the ball away, when to make space, when to give the ball to fernandes, and when to open up play. Suspect in the defensive part.
Casemiro: Midfield destroyer, good passing ability. But pass his peak already and his legs are giving up. Cant cover for everyone.
These 3 complemented each other, albeit not in a perfect way, but at least they complemented each other.
Scott mctominay: Not ten haag style at all. Has goals in him, but a great liability if we want a dominant midfield. Averaging 20-25 passes a game is far too little for a midfielder aspiring to play in a team that aims to dominate possession. Completely clueless in defensive positioning and cutting passing lanes, cannot pass, not so good with possession. But very good at late coming into the box and scoring from midfield. A fortune and a misfortune at the same time in this man utd team. We need his goals since we lack control of midfield and we do not play well but on the contrary if we had a better midfielder, we would be playing better and creating more chances and dominating midfield and thus producing more goals. Has his use as a game changing sub but not a starter for a team aspiring to be like the great temas. Has good mentality though.
Mejbri: better than mctominay, very good application, willing runner, good mentality more technical than mctominay. But still lacks the positional awareness running around too much, a fred and mctominay in one player. Runs a lot, but leaves too much space. leaving a porous midfield. If averyone knows how to press collectively, it will not be a problem, but this team is yet to master that. More suited to play fernandes (10) role with less burdon on positioning.
Mainoo: Really a talent which is being groomed into the holding midfield tempo setting midfielder. Has athletism, good positioning for his young age and can read the play well well for his age. Hopefully truly mature into a top athletic defensive midfielder capable of both setting the tempo and defending.
Mason mount and Amrabat: Too little from them. They are not pure defensive midfielders, but were bought to provide bow to box play. But are still suspect defensively and dont produce enough offensively.
Attack
Rashford: Really was a beast pre-shoulder injury where he was trying to really improve and was a team player. Now no longer good. Overrated at most. Has really fallen low. Starting to question his mentality. Not good enough and gives me the impression that he overrates his ability too much. Selfish, poor passing and poor decision making. At 25 no longer a kid. I believe we should sell him if we can. People still looks at his numbers, but is in the same category as mctominay - numbers mask the reality. When there is no numbers, we see the reality. Even when he was scoring, that didint mean he was playing well. Apart form his goals, he has long stopped from contributing to play (as he did pre shoulder injury with his good passing and decision making).
Sancho: Nothing to say about him. Talented player but poor mentality and application
Martial: Talented player but poor mentality and application
These 3 attackers remained a talent. Their mentality and lack of dedication have truly hold them back. This is a character trait, i think its too late for them to overcome at man utd since they already have a sense of entitlement. Unfortunately should be sold.
Garnacho, Rasmus: Young hungry players being let down by their team mates and poor dressing room atmosphere created by certain players. Still young but better give them the opportunity than stick with players who have poor mentality and application to the cause.
Anthony: Gets too much stick by united fans for his overpriced transfer. He has his limitations. But he provides balance on the right side and dedication to the team. Still suspect in certain decision making and should be more direct, but still has chance to improve. In a fully functional team, should become a really good player. At least he runs and defends but still susceptible to certain lack of concentration sometimes. Not yet feel the entitlement as rashford, martial and sancho.
Ten haag has tried to sign players with better mentality by signing those he knows. He should be supported more in the scouting part - he tried his best but he is not right everytime. I understand him going for what he knows but that is limiting man utd because he knows mainly the dutch league and many have not adapted to premier league or yet to adapt to PL. At least mentality wise we can see what kind of players he is looking for.
