Tactical Analysis Thread:

Been seeing all year the suggestion that United should play with wing backs and move Wan-Bissaka to RCB. Here's why I don't think that would work.

This clip really shows how AWB uses his position at fullback to make himself an elite defender #MUFC

Sheffield are trying to play out from the back. They play the ball out wide to Enda Stevens on the left. Notice the angle Wan-Bissaka takes to cut him down.

You would think he'd run straight at Stevens and challenge him as soon as he turns around. #MUFC

But he doesn't, instead he's running to this area here, just next to Stevens even though he's not going to get there before Stevens gets the ball.

Why is he doing this? #MUFC

Wan-Bissaka knows he doesn't need to intercept that pass because he has superior speed. Stevens isn't going to beat him down the touchline.

That's important, because now Stevens has nowhere to go BUT down the touchline. He can't turn back in-field b/c AWB is right there. #MUFC

So if Stevens wants to carry the ball, he can ONLY run straight with it. Had Wan-Bissaka just ran straight in front of him, Stevens could have turned in field and played a pass square or backwards. That option is taken away and now the touchline has become an extra defender #MUFC

That's what AWB does so well. He knows you're not going to beat him straight down that line, so instead he launches a hopeless long ball and United regain possession. He plays Raheem Sterling the exact same way. #MUFC

And how did that turn out? AWB defensive strength comes from being able to use the touchline as an added defender. United don't need to give him help because he's so good at creating that help naturally #MUFC

With a move to RCB my fear is you're taking away his biggest strength. If he's playing more central when players run at him they could go either way. He'd have to react to where they go and he'd be a step behind. He's got great recovery, but 1 step could be the difference #MUFC

On the wings he's a step ahead because he knows exactly where the winger is going to go because there's only one way he can go!

His attacking play may not fully be there yet but it's improving. I think it'd be unwise to take away his biggest strength for a marginal gain
#MUFC

cc: @utdarena @timlongsports