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Initial Setup:
The 4231 vs 442. After the 80 min, Man Utd changed shape to 442 with Greenwood & Ighalo as STs. #mufc
The 4231 vs 442. After the 80 min, Man Utd changed shape to 442 with Greenwood & Ighalo as STs. #mufc
Build up play:
2332/2323 w/ either Bruno or Pogba dropping to progress the ball or move a midfielder out of position for Maguire to attempt a long ball to the flanks. #mufc
2332/2323 w/ either Bruno or Pogba dropping to progress the ball or move a midfielder out of position for Maguire to attempt a long ball to the flanks. #mufc
Pressing & Palace Build-up:
Man Utd used a 5-man pressing system on 2 mids & fullbacks.
Palace build up with 244 shape. #mufc
Man Utd used a 5-man pressing system on 2 mids & fullbacks.
Palace build up with 244 shape. #mufc
In Opp half:
3-2-5 with TFM as the 3rd CB instead of Scott dropping. This allows Pogba’s progression into the box. This is also the reason why TFM’s average position is not very advanced. #mufc
3-2-5 with TFM as the 3rd CB instead of Scott dropping. This allows Pogba’s progression into the box. This is also the reason why TFM’s average position is not very advanced. #mufc
Man Utd’s players average positions according to WhoScored. Generally, I don’t like using average positions because a player’s position and task could change during the game. TFM was a perfect case in this match. #mufc
1 min’ - 37min’: TFM was just laying as the 3CB then he changed position to half space under DJ to underlap him.
There was a lot of positional Interchange during this match. Read notes on the images/video. #mufc
There was a lot of positional Interchange during this match. Read notes on the images/video. #mufc
Issue 1: Pogba.
Lacked fitness, sharpness and his decision making was very uncharacteristic - lost a lot balls in key areas. He was always pressured by McCarthy. See below. #mufc
Lacked fitness, sharpness and his decision making was very uncharacteristic - lost a lot balls in key areas. He was always pressured by McCarthy. See below. #mufc
Issue 2: Scott McTominay.
His inability to progress the ball was massively exposed. Regardless, he was decent in what he does best, which is break-up play & defensive duties. Stopped multiple counter attacks after Maguire push up high. #mufc
His inability to progress the ball was massively exposed. Regardless, he was decent in what he does best, which is break-up play & defensive duties. Stopped multiple counter attacks after Maguire push up high. #mufc
Issue 3: DJ
He kept his width the entire game but due to our focus on the left hand side. He was not involved at all. Our inability to distribute width evenly was a problem, that’s down to coaching.
He kept his width the entire game but due to our focus on the left hand side. He was not involved at all. Our inability to distribute width evenly was a problem, that’s down to coaching.
Issue 4: Maguire
To avoid a foot race with Zaha, he committed early multiple times which left us exposed. He should back off him with his body position towards him so it doesn’t become a side-to side race.
To avoid a foot race with Zaha, he committed early multiple times which left us exposed. He should back off him with his body position towards him so it doesn’t become a side-to side race.
Another example of Maguire committing early but this time he fouled Zaha.
Issue 5: Martial & Rashford
They were hardly in the game. Anything they tired, didn’t come off. The ball was not sticking to Martial’s feet.
They were hardly in the game. Anything they tired, didn’t come off. The ball was not sticking to Martial’s feet.
The Goals and Issue 6: Lindelöf
TFM was not out of position for this goal. TFM presses his man as he should. Lindelöf tracked Zaha’s run as he should but made no attempt to block the ball. Shaw was not tracking his runner and was one step late.
TFM was not out of position for this goal. TFM presses his man as he should. Lindelöf tracked Zaha’s run as he should but made no attempt to block the ball. Shaw was not tracking his runner and was one step late.
Lindelöf did the same thing for the 3rd goal pressed Zaha when ball was received but didn’t attempt to block.
This made Lindelöf culpable in all 3 goals even though the penalty I don’t agree with. #mufc
This made Lindelöf culpable in all 3 goals even though the penalty I don’t agree with. #mufc
Issue 7: Reliance on the left hand side.
In the 2-3-5, the pitch be spread evenly but the play was over congested on the left. Look at how much space Pogba & TFM had. #mufc
In the 2-3-5, the pitch be spread evenly but the play was over congested on the left. Look at how much space Pogba & TFM had. #mufc
Substitutions:
- Greenwood for James: to distribute the play evenly.
- DVB for Pogba: off day for him. DVB provided the link up & found space. Bruno became the deep progressor.
- Ighalo for TFM: Change shape to 442 to make it a man for man and have 2 strikers instead of one.
- Greenwood for James: to distribute the play evenly.
- DVB for Pogba: off day for him. DVB provided the link up & found space. Bruno became the deep progressor.
- Ighalo for TFM: Change shape to 442 to make it a man for man and have 2 strikers instead of one.
Conclusion:
It was obvious these players lacked match fitness. United did the basics right but failed to implement any intricate play. Errors that were unusual to some of these players were happening. We were able to progress the ball well until the final 1/3.
It was obvious these players lacked match fitness. United did the basics right but failed to implement any intricate play. Errors that were unusual to some of these players were happening. We were able to progress the ball well until the final 1/3.
In the final 1/3, we get stuck and any intricate play or good delivery from the flanks would fail. This adds even more to the argument of fitness.
To break a low block, you don’t only need creative players but also stretch the pitch to create space for the creative players.
To break a low block, you don’t only need creative players but also stretch the pitch to create space for the creative players.
Finally, I want to apologize to TFM b\\c upon watching the match for the 2nd & 3rd time, I realized he was actually one of our good performers on the day. Not only was he the one that created our 2 most dangerous chances but he didn’t get further up b\\c he was instructed to. #mufc
I failed to see that at first. This solidified my point about reactionary opinions and I fell into that trap on the day.
End. #mufc
End. #mufc
