First, football is a passing game, and probably more than ever when attacking a low block. And to pass well you need a good structure. Both to have passing options/alternatives and to create space.
The structure helps the team «recycle the ball» high up the pitch until you get/create an opening/opportunity to break through the block. To create that opening you either need players of high quality with flair or be able to outnumber the other team in a critical space on the last third of the pitch. The best teams can create both through individual quality and the ability to outnumber by moving the ball quickly into a space where they identify an opportunity.
In my opinion, part of the problem at Man Utd is usually structural. (Usually, because against Watford we commited so many silly mistakes that it was really difficult to tell what we were trying to do.)
Because we lack structure we are not good at passing and containing the ball high up the pitch. Consequently our players rarely get the chance to «search» for an opportunity to create. Neither through individual quality or outnumbering. The lack of structure mean that we dont use the pitch well enough.
When you watch a heat map of Liverpool and Man City compared to Man Utd you notice that there is a significant difference in terms of how the teams make use of the entire pitch. I think Leicester is similar and the same was the case with Chelsea when they won under Conte.
At Liverpool their attacking trio attack through the middle while Robertson and TAA keeps the width. On the ball their central midfield mainly contribute to «rescyling» the ball and providing it to attacking players (fullbacks and attackers). (Their most important job is probably protecting the central defenders.)
If their midfielder have space to attack and can carry the ball into the last third, fine!
If they can find a more creative fullback with even more space, great!
If they can give the ball to one of their attackers, perfect!
A midfielder at Liverpool usually have five attacking passing options, in addition to his midfield partners. The options are spread out meaning there is more space through the middle. Henderson, Milner and Winjaldum are not world class players, but it is easier for them to pass the ball as they have a solid structure offering several passing options and more space.
The same is the case at Man City. While their fullbacks is not creative attackers in the same manner as at Liverpool they provide them with passing options. They are tools in that regard, just like the midfielders at Liverpool. In fact, Pep often tucks his fullbacks inside. He then plays Walker almost as a wide central defender while the left full back is a bit higher up the pitch playing as a defensive midfielder. But he never sacrifice the width, meaning their wingers are «reduced» to wide wingers who have to hug the chalk. (Fantasy managers will have noticed that owning Sane could be really frustrating at times due to him being very wide. Sterling has suffered the same faith at times this year.)
Consequently, Man City play with three central defenders and two protecting midfielders. Their system give KdB and the Silvas licence to attack freely. In other words, Man City, like Liverpool, cover/protect the most crucial area of the pitch (when defending) with five players and attack with five players, two out wide, three through the middle. Balance and structure.
It sounds rather basic. Actually, it is rather basic. So why do Man Utd fail?
Because you need the right type of qualities in your players to pull it off. And our fullbacks is not suited for dominating through possession, in my opinion. Running up and down is extremely demanding physically. Physically it is probably the most demanding of any position on the pitch. Young is too old, and Shaw is not built for it. Whether or not he is, he dont do it. AWB, on the other hand, looks perfect physically. But he appears raw on the ball. He is not good at attacking space and he is not a good passer. He lack the ability to pass well, and he dont pass with intent or purpose. A bit like Smalling. While not all the players at Liverpool are world class, every single one are at least decent passers (in terms of technique and understanding the game). Man Utd under Ferguson was similar. Players like Neville, O’Shea and Butt were never world class, but they were decent and knew how to play. They were useful tools with the basics in their tool kit.
The lack of attacking play from our fullbacks today ensure that the opposition can «call our bluff» and tuck more players inside to protect the most important area of the pitch. Not only do we lose numbers higher up the pitch; they can defend more narrow, with more people in central areas where we try to attack, allowing our attackers less space, making it a lot more difficult for our central defenders and midfielders to pass! So when some of our players are hogging the ball, I think there is a good reason for it.
Can we solve it with this squad?
I do think we could pick a page from Antonio Contes play book. Meaning we playing with three at the back, Maguire, Lindelof and Tuanzebe (or Rojo/Bailly). James at left wingback (similar to Moses) and Dalot/Laird/Williams or Lingard at right wingback. Fred/McTominay as Matic/Kante. Pogba through the middle infront of them. Rashford and Martial upfront. Our attack would be a bit different from Chelsea obviously (probably more similar to todays Inter), but we would still have a good structure with more passing options in the final third of the pitch.
Lack of quality players would obviously be an issue regardless of structure and system. But we need to make the most of our squad. Right now, we dont.
Thanks for taking time!
The structure helps the team «recycle the ball» high up the pitch until you get/create an opening/opportunity to break through the block. To create that opening you either need players of high quality with flair or be able to outnumber the other team in a critical space on the last third of the pitch. The best teams can create both through individual quality and the ability to outnumber by moving the ball quickly into a space where they identify an opportunity.
In my opinion, part of the problem at Man Utd is usually structural. (Usually, because against Watford we commited so many silly mistakes that it was really difficult to tell what we were trying to do.)
Because we lack structure we are not good at passing and containing the ball high up the pitch. Consequently our players rarely get the chance to «search» for an opportunity to create. Neither through individual quality or outnumbering. The lack of structure mean that we dont use the pitch well enough.
When you watch a heat map of Liverpool and Man City compared to Man Utd you notice that there is a significant difference in terms of how the teams make use of the entire pitch. I think Leicester is similar and the same was the case with Chelsea when they won under Conte.
At Liverpool their attacking trio attack through the middle while Robertson and TAA keeps the width. On the ball their central midfield mainly contribute to «rescyling» the ball and providing it to attacking players (fullbacks and attackers). (Their most important job is probably protecting the central defenders.)
If their midfielder have space to attack and can carry the ball into the last third, fine!
If they can find a more creative fullback with even more space, great!
If they can give the ball to one of their attackers, perfect!
A midfielder at Liverpool usually have five attacking passing options, in addition to his midfield partners. The options are spread out meaning there is more space through the middle. Henderson, Milner and Winjaldum are not world class players, but it is easier for them to pass the ball as they have a solid structure offering several passing options and more space.
The same is the case at Man City. While their fullbacks is not creative attackers in the same manner as at Liverpool they provide them with passing options. They are tools in that regard, just like the midfielders at Liverpool. In fact, Pep often tucks his fullbacks inside. He then plays Walker almost as a wide central defender while the left full back is a bit higher up the pitch playing as a defensive midfielder. But he never sacrifice the width, meaning their wingers are «reduced» to wide wingers who have to hug the chalk. (Fantasy managers will have noticed that owning Sane could be really frustrating at times due to him being very wide. Sterling has suffered the same faith at times this year.)
Consequently, Man City play with three central defenders and two protecting midfielders. Their system give KdB and the Silvas licence to attack freely. In other words, Man City, like Liverpool, cover/protect the most crucial area of the pitch (when defending) with five players and attack with five players, two out wide, three through the middle. Balance and structure.
It sounds rather basic. Actually, it is rather basic. So why do Man Utd fail?
Because you need the right type of qualities in your players to pull it off. And our fullbacks is not suited for dominating through possession, in my opinion. Running up and down is extremely demanding physically. Physically it is probably the most demanding of any position on the pitch. Young is too old, and Shaw is not built for it. Whether or not he is, he dont do it. AWB, on the other hand, looks perfect physically. But he appears raw on the ball. He is not good at attacking space and he is not a good passer. He lack the ability to pass well, and he dont pass with intent or purpose. A bit like Smalling. While not all the players at Liverpool are world class, every single one are at least decent passers (in terms of technique and understanding the game). Man Utd under Ferguson was similar. Players like Neville, O’Shea and Butt were never world class, but they were decent and knew how to play. They were useful tools with the basics in their tool kit.
The lack of attacking play from our fullbacks today ensure that the opposition can «call our bluff» and tuck more players inside to protect the most important area of the pitch. Not only do we lose numbers higher up the pitch; they can defend more narrow, with more people in central areas where we try to attack, allowing our attackers less space, making it a lot more difficult for our central defenders and midfielders to pass! So when some of our players are hogging the ball, I think there is a good reason for it.
Can we solve it with this squad?
I do think we could pick a page from Antonio Contes play book. Meaning we playing with three at the back, Maguire, Lindelof and Tuanzebe (or Rojo/Bailly). James at left wingback (similar to Moses) and Dalot/Laird/Williams or Lingard at right wingback. Fred/McTominay as Matic/Kante. Pogba through the middle infront of them. Rashford and Martial upfront. Our attack would be a bit different from Chelsea obviously (probably more similar to todays Inter), but we would still have a good structure with more passing options in the final third of the pitch.
Lack of quality players would obviously be an issue regardless of structure and system. But we need to make the most of our squad. Right now, we dont.
Thanks for taking time!
