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How United overcame City at the Etihad - analysis thread:
Out of possession:
Protection of the half-spaces was fundamental to Ole’s game plan. Utilising the half-spaces and attacking wide positions has become a common theme at City under Guardiola, so United’s plan to nullify that threat was imperative to their successful performance.
Protection of the half-spaces was fundamental to Ole’s game plan. Utilising the half-spaces and attacking wide positions has become a common theme at City under Guardiola, so United’s plan to nullify that threat was imperative to their successful performance.
The double pivot of McTominay and Fred kept close tabs with Silva and the dangerous De Bruyne respectively. This man to man structure allowed United to prevent City from breaking through out wide, progressing to the byline and thus creating dangerous crossing opportunities.
United tried to force City wide as much as possible, therefore remaining narrow in their 4231 mid block. The positioning of Dan James represented United’s desire to force City into wide areas, as he sat deep + narrow protecting the half-space, thus opening up passing
lanes into wide areas where Angelino/Sterling were positioned.
When the ball travelled wide, United contained City with relative ease. Ole instructed the FB to engage City’s winger, McT/Fred to track half-space run and James/Lingard to shuttle across & provide extra protection.
When the ball travelled wide, United contained City with relative ease. Ole instructed the FB to engage City’s winger, McT/Fred to track half-space run and James/Lingard to shuttle across & provide extra protection.
This pattern can be seen in this clip:
- ball moves out wide.
- AWB engages Sterling.
- McTominay slots into half-space, covering Silva.
- James shuttles across ensuring extra protection to prevent overload.
- City unable to break through because of protection.
- ball moves out wide.
- AWB engages Sterling.
- McTominay slots into half-space, covering Silva.
- James shuttles across ensuring extra protection to prevent overload.
- City unable to break through because of protection.
This was extremely effective as it meant United were never overloaded in wide areas and therefore could contain City, nullifying one of their great strengths in attack, combination play out wide. Often, it was United who had the numerical advantage, creating a triangle around
City’s dangerous wide players.
Despite United committing three, sometimes four players out wide, they managed to remain compact centrally due to their ability to shift across as a unit and leave the wide attacker on the far side unmarked.
Despite United committing three, sometimes four players out wide, they managed to remain compact centrally due to their ability to shift across as a unit and leave the wide attacker on the far side unmarked.
This pattern epitomised United’s defensive strategy:
- ball travels left; numbers protecting area.
- Fred moves into central position to cover McT, Shaw onto KDB leaving Bernardo spare.
- United quickly shift across when ball switched (Fred on KDB, Shaw pressses Bernardo).
- ball travels left; numbers protecting area.
- Fred moves into central position to cover McT, Shaw onto KDB leaving Bernardo spare.
- United quickly shift across when ball switched (Fred on KDB, Shaw pressses Bernardo).
This was made possible by United’s ability to shuttle across as a team. Individuals such as Fred, McTominay, Lingard and James, who were all heavily involved in the defensive strategy can shuttle effectively. These players can cover space in short amounts of time, thus decreasing
the potential effectiveness of a rapid City switch.
The positioning of Rashford to pin Walker was also vital. Rashford was positioned higher than fellow wide attacker Dan James, which helped pin back City’s RB due to the threat he carried on the counter attack.
The positioning of Rashford to pin Walker was also vital. Rashford was positioned higher than fellow wide attacker Dan James, which helped pin back City’s RB due to the threat he carried on the counter attack.
Being the only City defender to match the pace of Rashford, Walker stayed back in order to contain him on the counter.
This meant City could only afford to push two players forward on the right (KDB, Bernardo), compared to their usual three, handing Utd numerical superiority.
This meant City could only afford to push two players forward on the right (KDB, Bernardo), compared to their usual three, handing Utd numerical superiority.
In possession:
Utd played with great confidence when they sustained possession for longer periods. They were expressive & took risks. Players were coming to, and taking the ball, which takes courage in a big game. Here, one touch passing to play out of City’s aggressive press.
Utd played with great confidence when they sustained possession for longer periods. They were expressive & took risks. Players were coming to, and taking the ball, which takes courage in a big game. Here, one touch passing to play out of City’s aggressive press.
The positioning of Lingard (deep left half space) when turnovers occurred helped United find their attacking outlet, Rashford.
Lingard was usually unmarked when turnovers occurred, and he was used as a connector to eventually find Rashford.
Build up to the first goal:
Lingard was usually unmarked when turnovers occurred, and he was used as a connector to eventually find Rashford.
Build up to the first goal:
Transition to attack:
This where Ole’s game winning strategy came into fruition. The plan was to pour numbers forward on the counter, attempting to exploit the space afforded in behind the City defence.
This where Ole’s game winning strategy came into fruition. The plan was to pour numbers forward on the counter, attempting to exploit the space afforded in behind the City defence.
This was effective on numerous occasions, as the frightening pace of the front four combined with their attitudes to sprint forward, support counter attacks and stretch the City defence caused so many problems.
Look at the pace and enthusiasm from Rashford. Phenomenal.
Look at the pace and enthusiasm from Rashford. Phenomenal.
Transition to defence:
When their attacks came to an end, United regained their 4231 shape as quickly as possible. The work rate and endurance of the double pivot + front four was excellent; they sprinted back, regained compactness and ensured City counters were ineffective.
When their attacks came to an end, United regained their 4231 shape as quickly as possible. The work rate and endurance of the double pivot + front four was excellent; they sprinted back, regained compactness and ensured City counters were ineffective.
Overall, Ole’s emphasis on half-space protection was the key. This prevented City from progressing the ball in wide areas, forcing them back and nullifying their attacks. The pace of the front four caused City issues throughout as they frequently exploited the space in behind.
It certainly was another Ole masterclass in a fixture vs a top 6 side.
