didz
Full Member
- Joined
- May 17, 2014
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I don't think teams ever really stopped defending in a 442. Obviously there have been teams defending in a 541/532/etc as well, but dropping into two banks of four never went out of style. Pressing high in a 442/424 is pretty ubiquitous now as you say, although you could argue that's just the same thing on a different bit of grass.So many teams now play 442 out of possession now that it is starting to become the norm again I think. United were doing it for the most part against Villa.
It all becomes a bit more fluid when teams have the ball, but it seems like a lot of coaches are deciding 442 is the best set up for pressing outside of transitions at the moment.
As for getting crosses in, supposedly one open play cross into the box in 92 leads to a goal, so Moyes had the right idea that day against Fulham, but his wingers fell 11 crosses short.