How can EtH halt this malaise and potentially save his job?!
From a tactical perspective, he has been unable to build a team capable of progressing the ball forward from back to front or able to dominate possession and control games.
I was absolutely convinced when EtH was appointed he’d sort the midfield out and construct a team capable of keeping and recycling the ball. This has just not happened!
If I remember correctly, EtH said he wanted Man Utd to become the best transitional team in the World, presumably playing to the strengths of Rashford and Bruno. I personally think this was a mistake, while this type of football might suit two of our highest earners and biggest profile players, it also makes us very predictable and one dimensional. As we look to attack quickly, it means players try to play more difficult and risky, vertical passes or the wingers carry the ball forward without purpose and support. This means as players rush forward to try and support the attackers, moves often break down and teams are then able to transition quickly against us, as we struggle to recover and players often find themselves stranded up the pitch and out of position. Rashford and Bruno have been indulged. Their flaws have not been addressed and a system designed to get the best out of them has brutally exposed other players. The other glaring problem is Bruno and Rashford have both been woeful for well over 12 months. From a defensive perspective, Rashford is a poor presser, he lacks the desire and appetite to track runners and is poor in defensive duals. Bruno often presses alone, running out of position, making it very easy for teams to advance up the pitch. Of course, it’s far more complicated than an arm chair fan trying to dissect EtH system, but I find it absolutely astonishing that EtH has never attempted to address this problem and his dismissal now seems inevitable.
In my opinion the opening 60 minutes against Crystal Palace is the best football we have played for some time. EtH now has a defence and GK better equipped to play out from the back. Mainoo is excellent under pressure, Amad is secure and reliable on the ball and Zirkzee is capable of linking the play. Against Palace it was Bruno again giving the ball away with alarming regularity and when EtH introduced Rashford and Hojlund the game turned into another basketball type performance, from that point we didn’t create another chance and Palace were then able to counter with ease and were probably the more likely winners at the end.
I think EtH does have the players to implement a more possession based game and get control of that midfield. Mount could play inside left where he was so effective for Chelsea, he’s also a fantastic presser, with Amad on the right. Zirkzee can link the play and we now have a ball winner in midfield with the signing of Ugarte.
The likes of Bruno, Rashford, Garnacho and Hojlund could all be used off the bench as the game opens up. You could even add one of them into the starting line up to add pace and penetration but when they all play together you lose control of the midfield and surrender possession too readily.
In my opinion there has been an over reliance on Rashford and Bruno, with no evolution or willingness to change which will ultimately see EtH loose his job.
I think we do have the players to be able to control games better and whilst I’m not saying they are good enough to be challenging at the top of the table, I do think we are more than capable of performing much better than what we’ve seen.
Written by DLIB October 02 2024 09:51:56
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