Thread by @AbdelBeheri

Tactical thread. #MUFC vs #SaintsFC

#SaintsFC pressing system relies on 3 things:
- A very high line to make the pitch small ~ 54 yards
- Aggressiveness
- Condensing play centrally at all times if possible

An organized trap from #SaintsFC's 442/4222 pressing vs #MUFC's 4231:

- guide ball towards wide areas
- winger higher to have access to dropping CM
- ballnear compactness with CM shifting higher + last line shift to trap wide

#MUFC pulled #SaintsFC into 3-3-1-3 in high pressing (out of their shape 4222/442)
- Create back 3 w/ Matic
-Got numerical advantage (2v1) in the center w/ PP.
-Create numerical superiority vs. last def. line.
- Martial released in 1v1 situation
#MUNSOU

#SaintsFC's 4222 system in full display.
- Cut passing lanes to Pogba.

- #mufc's usual shape in possession 3-2-5.
- #SaintsFC maintained a 441 + 1 free midfielder when #mufc's near their box
- free midfielder tracks Fernandes to prevent overloads on flanks (triangles)

- #mufc trying to pull #SaintFC out of their 4222 press.
- #SaintsFC stayed compact in their mid-block press.

United's problems.

#mufc's 1st problem:
- United's pressing system of front 4.
- Not aggressive enough.
- Could be tiredness (leaving that to you)
- Read notes on picture.

#MUFC's 2nd problem:

- United's FBs were constantly getting dragged inside by one of #SaintsFC's CFs
- Space on flanks created for dangerous crosses.
- Read notes on pictures.

#MUFC's 3rd problem:
- Triple injury (Shaw, Williams, Greenwood)
- Greenwood's movement wasn't as comfortable as the start of the match.
- Solskjaer forced to change shape into 531 at 89' min.
- Hasenhüttl responded by bringing on Obafemi
- Changed shape to 334/2134 in possession

#mufc's corner routine full explanation & mistakes that led to 2nd goal.

- Fred didn't track a runner
- Lindelof not keeping zonal line of 5 in shape.
- AWB pushed into Maguire's zonal area.
- Neither Matic nor Rashford win header or prevent Bertrand from flick.
- Read notes

Successful corner routine.

#mufc won 4/6 corners during the match which is a high success rate.

- Line of 5 + 1 or 2 track runners.
- FBs track runners from outside to inside.
- AWB & Williams prevent zonal line break.
- Maguire wins header successfully.

United still need improvement vs. an aggressive press. The players clearly have the idea from Martial's goal but the execution needs to be improved to be able to stretch teams' press out of shape regularly. The on-ball movement needs improvement from several players.

End. #MUFC