Manchester United are a workforce remodeled underneath Erik ten Hag – however simply how has the Dutchman achieved his success tactically at breakneck velocity?
For the primary time – in a very long time – positivity surrounds the membership, as a substitute of opinions on issues. Ralf Rangnick usually highlighted points on the membership, Ten Hag seems to be fixing them.
Before Rangnick, the workforce was closely reliant on counter-attacks or roaring again to rally and win video games from behind underneath Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – counting on a couple of gamers to create one thing out of nothing.
Sunday fifth March 4:00pm
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However, Ten Hag has remodeled United right into a multi-faceted workforce, able to shape-shifting to win video games in additional methods than one.
Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag says his workforce are stuffed with confidence forward of their enormous fixture with Liverpool at Anfield
Possession-based 3-1-6 formation
Games: Everton (a), Nottingham Forest (h), Bournemouth (h), Leicester (a)
The main perform of the 3-1-6 formation offers United the onus and alternative to create area huge by having three gamers on the again, a single lone midfield pivot to distribute the ball while six gamers occupy the opposing workforce’s line of defense each centrally and out huge – to create area by shifting and dragging the defence out of place.
This is the fashion of play Ten Hag continuously deployed at Ajax, to interrupt down groups in low blocks with each participant behind the ball.
We noticed this towards Everton within the picture above, increase in a again three, one midfielder within the centre – with the remainder of the gamers pushed up.
Manchester United supervisor Erik ten Hag has performed down the probabilities of his workforce successful the quadruple this season even after their Carabao Cup win
The back-three personnel modifications, however on this case Victor Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen take up the positions, which suggests Luke Shaw can push up huge left with Marcus Rashford turning into inverted, tucking in barely, creating area huge for Shaw.
On the opposing wing, Diogo Dalot has tucked in as an inverted full-back in midfield – leaving area for Antony (out of image).
On different events, it is perhaps Shaw or Dalot dropping again to type the again three, with Eriksen pushing as much as type part of the staggered ‘six’ – so long as the form and formation stays the identical with gamers rotating positions to create the required sequences.
In the transfer under, Antony drags full-back Vitalii Mykolenko huge to create area between Mykolenko and Tarkowski. As an inverted full-back, Dalot can play a fast one-two with Casemiro and dart into the area Antony has created.
The different Everton gamers are additionally occupied by United’s formulated ‘six’, with Rashford and Martial central and Fernandes hovering. United look to occupy Everton’s backline man-for-man and spaced out. On the left facet, you may see under how Everton have been dragged to Antony’s flank – leaving Shaw free if Dalot opts for a swap.
As seen under, the huge ahead (Antony) and full-back (Dalot) may also interchange positions to create area.
With the huge winger and inverted full-back trying to pull the opposition huge, a team-mate is often additionally providing an possibility centrally and drawing opponents to him, on this case, Casemiro.
The midfielders are drawn to the centre. Other gamers who type the entrance ‘six’ may also do that, as Fernandes or Martial drop in to hyperlink the play, however, most significantly, drag gamers with them – to create area for team-mates.
We have a look again at some memorable moments between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield
Transitions and man-to-man urgent
Games: Man City (h), Arsenal (h), Fulham (a), Chelsea (a)
United have usually constructed possession via the center towards ‘Big Six’ sides underneath Ten Hag, ceding possession however overlaying in central areas, man-to-man – to stop the opposition from funnelling distribution easily from defence to assault.
Below, United minimize off Arsenal’s central passing lanes, with Scott McTominay sticking near Granit Xhaka, Bruno Fernandes choosing up Albert Sambi Lokonga. Meanwhile, wingers Antony and Jadon Sancho tuck in slender to keep up a compact form, with Rashford usually urgent whichever centre-back receives the ball or performs out.
What objective does this serve? If you may cease groups constructing at supply by limiting passing lanes, you do not have to press aggressively to get the ball again, therefore why Ten Hag needed to signal former gamers Antony and Martinez who had been well-versed in his tactical necessities.
The plan was clear within the current Manchester derby: Restrict City’s choices in the course of the park.
Fred caught to Kevin De Bruyne, no matter the place he moved on the pitch. Eriksen marked Rodri. Casemiro caught tight with Bernardo Silva. Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford tucked inside to make United compact. If one in all City’s midfielders dropped deeper for the ball, United might double up on them shortly.
Below, Nathan Ake might cross to Bernardo Silva however Casemiro is not far behind and Fernandes might additionally assist shut him down from his half-space place.
With a decrease share of the ball in these large video games, United nonetheless depend on releasing pacy runners in behind – latching onto through-balls, often despatched by Bruno Fernandes. It is considerably of a throwback to the fashion performed underneath Solskjaer.
It’s how United scored towards Arsenal – with Rashford being despatched via by Fernandes after Arsenal regarded to assault on the different finish.
Progressive passers resembling Martinez may also fireplace lengthy balls from deep. Against Fulham, midfielders Casemiro and Eriksen discovered themselves outpressed – however United merely used their defenders to launch the entrance line, as a substitute.
Gary Neville says the present Manchester United workforce are making followers imagine once more, however thinks it’s an excessive amount of to anticipate of them to go on to win the quadruple
Ability to win ugly
Games: Southampton (a), Leeds United (a), West Ham (h)
United have developed this skill underneath Ten Hag after rebuilding the workforce’s shattered spirit from final season. Even when issues aren’t clicking, the gamers they possess are able to in some way discovering a strategy to rating and shield a lead.
This has occurred when United have a one-goal lead and must see a recreation out for the ultimate 25 minutes, with Ten Hag bringing on an additional defender.
Speaking after the win towards City, Ten Hag mentioned: “I believe we’ve got seen all of it on this course of, there’s struggle and spirit on this workforce, they will cope with setbacks. There was a tough stage of the sport however we turned stronger and stronger.’
Winning aerial duels, depth closing down, chest-pumping and shouts of ‘Vamos!’ with every block: A whole transformation from final time period.
Since Ten Hag took cost, United have a 71 per cent win-rate, and have misplaced simply six video games, of which two had been the opening back-to-back defeats.
Ten Hag’s greatest achievement in his quick tenure has been turning United right into a multi-functional workforce, able to find an answer to many various issues – however can the Dutchman preserve the feel-good momentum when his facet face Liverpool on Sunday?
Watch Liverpool vs Manchester United stay on Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm on Sunday; kick-off 4.30pm.
