Thread by @vybhavbadri

DECODING: Aaron Wan Bissaka- Part 2
Man Utd 4-2 Everton
in light of UTD's interest in Trippier, i analysed some of AWB's pre season performances.
This is a breakdown of AWB vs Everton.
AWB played 59 minutes in this match before getting subbed for Dalot.
(note: no audio on clips)

Utd lined up in their familiar 4-2-3-1, with many first teamers like Shaw, Bruno etc. returning from post euro breaks.
VDB interestingly lined up in the double pivot and all though he did push on sometimes, he generally performed a fairly similar function to Scott or Fred

Everton lined up in a 4-2-3-1 ( 4-4-2 block) with James & Gray interchanging in central areas.
Iwobi & Townsend were outwide and they stayed wider by the lines. When they did tuck in, the fullbacks would push up.
*Iwobi played on the left and Townsend right unlike in the graphic

Utd defensively were quite similar to the game against derby, with a similar compact 4-4-2 block with man orientations and increased intensity while pressing outwide.
the shape defensively was quite similar to the shape as shown >>

https://twitter.com/mufc_Vb/status/1424771082800615428?s=20

Utd's press was similar, with Martial and Bruno performing the role that Mata and mason played looking to force play out wide before each player would lock in.
NOTE: Utd's winger is supposed to press the opposing fullback. This is relevant for certain actions in the match.

offensively, Utd's combatted EVE's block with a 3=1 build up generally, with matic dropping in between or to the side of the Centre backs and VDB in the middle.
the full backs would then push up further and the front four would tuck in, looking to recieve in central zones.

Awb's Role thus from a defensive point of view, was similar to the one he performed vs Derby.
Offensively, due to the 3+1 shape, his role in build up was decreased and he had to tuck in to protect the counter as well as look to push on more.
Lets take a look at how he did

DEFENSIVE WORK:
1. closing down, tracking runs and 1v1s:
In a man to man defensive set up, closing down your man and staying with your runners is crucial, as we have seen against Leeds.
AWB did well in this aspect, staying fairly disciplined a part from a couple of incidents

EVE often tried a long ball over the top, looking to switch play quickly to either Digne or Iwobi.
AWB does well here, closing down Iwobi well such that he can pounce on the loose touch. Its something Shaw struggles with as he tends to amble across giving time for crosses etc.

here, as Iwobi gets the ball, James and digne are running either side to Awb but his 1v1 jockeying is superb.
He refrains from committing while simultaneously being close enough to cut either pass. this forces Iwobi into a more crowded central area rather than the space out wide.

In this instance, its actually AWB at fault as his header forward is really poor leaving him 1v2 vs Gray and James.
When the ball then goes to Gray and he lets it run, it is crucial that Awb chooses that instant to nip in and avoid jockeying as firstly, the ball is on

Gray's right foot with Gray's body position being perfect for a simple slide rule into James for a 1v1 with Ddg. Secondly, the keeper is Ddg which means that even if the pass is poor, Ddg isnt likely to sweep up. Superb decision and Execution in a precarious situation

Here, His 1v1 defending is Exemplary. he does a few things that are top notch.
1. he avoids committing, forcing Iwobi outwide in a 1v1 on his weak foot.
2. he stays inside Iwobi in a crouched position, preventing Iwobi from coming back on his right and cutting off central passes

3. he delays, letting Bruno and VDB get back while also closing Iwobi down, such that when Iwobi cuts back, he is running into traffic and is 3v1 which means AWB can easily tackle and regain the ball.
the ability here to snuff out the counter and dominate the 1v1 is superb

this is one occasion where he doesnt track his man, going out to digne but not staying with him as he tries the customary 1-2 around awb that teams do.
Lindelof tries to get back but the angle for the cross and space is always available and Digne gets in.
This draws Maguire,

leaving Shaw 1v2 and EVE hit the bar.
This is a good example as its actually a case where Utd's defensive tendencies were pulled apart.
I had said earlier that it's noteworthy that Utd's wingers have to close down the opposite full back.
Mata has the duty of pressing Digne>

Looking at the preceeding action, its clear that its a chain reaction caused by Utd's defensive set up.
Fred loses out to Allan in trying for the second ball, which draws pogba across and subsequently Mata inside. This means that DIgne has space to drive and AWB is forced to

press down rather than Mata. That added distance that AWB has to go means that he is drawn out further and its harder for him to then over the space allowing EVE to exploit the 1-2. Digne is able to get in and UTD are reacting constantly since the set up has failed, resulting in

Maguire getting drawn across and the 1v2 at the back post. yes, AWB can do better and stay with the run but this entire situation is caused due to the Fred- Allan duel.
Its a commentary on Utd's defensive scheme and how a singular mistake can be so unforgiving, which is why Utd

were so poor defensively last season in Sept. as concentration and fitness was low and Utd got pulled apart.
AWB's mistake here is merely a small one and actually its a lapse in the set up itself.

2. Defending crosses and set pieces:
AWB wasnt tested that much in this game but on a couple of occasions, his defense of crosses was a potential area where UTD could have conceded.
Here, EVE have a corner and AWB is marking/blocking Godfrey. Here, he spends to long attempting to

look at the ball before turning around unnecessarily while trying to track Godfrey. This is poor when defending set pieces as even a split second can mean you lose your man and that is exactly what happens, with Godfrey nearly scoring.

In this case, Everton have consistent possession of around 30 seconds in Utd's third. As the ball is crossed by Digne, Lindelof has a chance to but fails to clear and Eve regain the ball.
This attracts James and coleman is free as Shaw has to close him down. (contrary to Utd's

set up). maguire is drawn across to cover the space behind Shaw, lindelof is taken inside by townsend and Awb is left 1v2 at the back post.
The mistake here is lindelof as u cannot let the opposition keep the ball in ur third for 30s and u have to clear at the first opportunity

When teams sustain attacks near the box, due to natural tendencies players are drawn towards the ball and mistakes are likely to occur. Lindelof must seize that moment to clear up the pitch and let Utd push up but he doesn't which eventually leads to the 1v2 at the back post

ATTACKING PLAY:
3. Build up play:
in build up play, AWB was not involved that often due to Utd's 3+1 shape. Awb was largely conservative in his passing, choosing to keep the ball.

A positive example can be this one. Here, VDB is free and the fwd pass is on but that could lead to dead end with vdb facing backwards and players ready to press,
AWB does well to pass to lindelof as that draws James to press leaving Maguire and DDG as the free players.

a negative case is here, where as AWB receives, he can play into Bruno with VDB available as a third man. The benefit is that it draws EVE and creates gaps across the pitch but AWB chooses the safe option, meaning that UTD end up playing around the block with no penetration

AWB's fwd passing was also erratic and profligate.
Here, his touch is good as its across him allowing him to face and play fwd. He also chooses a good fwd pass, looking for martial but he ends up giving it away. The touch and idea is what he should look to do more often.

3. Attacking play:
Owing to his higher position in build up, AWB was tasked with more offensive responsibility staying higher up the pitch.
He often made mistakes like this, where as Lindelof comes fwd, he should be moving up to take davies away and create space for victor

instead he stays deep, forcing mata outwide and leaving the centre congested which means that lindelof ends up playing a pass likely to lose possession rather than continuing to carry fwd.
if davies doesnt go with him, he becomes an obvious progressive pass for Victor

Ineffective 1-2s are a feature of AWB's game and we saw a couple of such instances.
1. he receives from Bruno where he can go 1v1 vs DIgne and perhaps draw Iwobi across as well, creating space inside. Rather than go for the duel and draw he double team, he passes back and tries

a give and go. the idea isnt bad but the space means that the execution is very hard.
here, he recognises space well and tries a 1-2 around iwobi but the pass is towards the touchline and mason is under pressure, which means mason cannot play to him.

In the second phase, awb switches off when vdb recieves so despite the possible pass from vdb being available, vdb has to play backwards.
here, the idea from awb is excellent, as he looks to draw digne in before quickly play a 1-2 round him but the execution again lets him down

Awb's running of the ball was good as on two or three occasions he made intelligent runs.
firstly, he makes a clever run into the box as james cuts inside, due to which he is in a position to capitalise as Digne messes up.
In the second example however, Awb is in a similar

position where he could run forward as Iwobi is drawn into the box by mason but He doesn't resulting in the move breaking down.
Its minor as perhaps he shouldn't vacate that area as that allows potential counters, but considering Iwobi is in the box, he should have gone for it.

Here, he makes an excellent fwd run as bruno receives, taking Digne with him and creating space out wide for Mason. The run is particularly good as Bruno could just as easily fire the ball into AWB's feet letting him attack the channel b/w defenders.

in the second phase, he could have made a run to the front post, drawing the defender and creating a 1v2 at the back post.
However id say criticism here is pedantic as mason doesn't look up towards the box and is always looking to return to Bruno

Overall,
AWB had a fairly solid game defensively, not really getting exposed and defending crosses well apart from the one set piece.
Attacking wise he made some decent runs however his bravery and attacking impetus on and off the ball definitely needs work.

Hey guys do let me know ur thoughts! Any feedback is appreciated!
If u like it, please do like and RT, in trying to grow this page here.
I will be posting more analysis of utd and non utd matches in the future.

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