Screenshot taken from the streamable I created on post match thread. All of United's outfield players in the attacking third with Rashford stretching the pitch on the right side. One other thing is the flexibility in the final third with Martial operating on the let for a brief spell, Rashford on the right, and Greenwood centrally.
Almost had a goal with a full back (AWB) assisting a full back (Williams) which encapsulates the attacking license, and the timing shows United weren't content with maintaining the score line.
The image has none of attackers in the box. A lofted pass that found the run of James and suddenly you have United players arriving in the box. Brighton's shape disorientated as the numerical superiority has been compromised. Greenwood in aches of space as Brighton find themselves in unwelcome territory.
AWB is benefiting from the tactical understanding and in game management of Pogba, Matic, and Bruno. In this particular example, you can see Matic instruct Bisakka to momentarily stay infield as Rashford was stretching the pitch on the right and United looked to create overload on the left. In preseason, you could tangibly see the influence of Pogba with him visibly telling Bisakka to position himself in offensive areas. I think that was one of the reasons why Pogba was deployed on the right side of midfield as opposed to the left which he had a propensity to drift too. The right back has utmost confidence that Pogba will not only be aware of his runs, but have sufficient ability to pick him out. The relationship works both ways too, as Bisakka can (provided the opportunity presents itself) tuck into make a challenge on a player in the middle looking to orchestrate a counter-attack .
Encouraging underlap rom AWB. Reminded me when I watched the underlaps of Bellerin for Spain at the U17 Euros.
Fluid system. On this occasion Bruno as the deepest midfielder. On other occasions, it may be Matic or Pogba. That line of 5 in attack is problematic for the opposition, as it makes them susceptible to being outnumbered with the full backs. Attacking the space either side of the full back is one way of testing the spacial awareness of the defender in question. Those that make up the five is by no means rigid. Could be both wing backs push up high with the #9 flanked by inside forwards in which case could look like Shaw-Rashford-Martial-Greenwood-AWB. Could be one of, if not both, full backs being deployed infield i.e. in this screenshot, AWB is momentarily occupying an infield position. Could be the leading #9 flanked by offensive #8s (perhaps Pogba and Bruno) with only one offensive full back and the other full back filling in as an auxiliary CB.. The side with the auxiliary CB would then rely on the wide player to provide witdh, and even better if said person is adept at dribbling players in a 1v1 .
On different occasions each of Maguire, Lindelof, Matic, Freed, Shaw have helped to maintain a back three as a safeguard. In this clip, you van see Lindelof progressing forward and then continues to press as he has trust his teammates will domoinate proceedings at the back by covering for him. Then you can see Shaw heading back to the wing back position once he sees Linlelody drop back.
Also, liked some of our build up play
We've been decent so far, hopefully that continues when we experience greater challenges