Solskjaer's conservative positioning of the fullbacks within this 4-3-3 is very much so similar to the way City set up, and it enables 5 players to be behind the ball in defensive transition which is good. However, the spacing of the players isn't good. The midfield is empty.
Players have to defend in isolation as opposed to together in a cohesive unit because the spacing of the players doesn't enable them to be in close proximity. It's a 4-1 shape in which there's large spaces either side of McTominay. A 3-2 or even a 2-2 shape is more balanced.
Again, in possession, they miss their overload in the build-up as the players are further spread apart (only 1 player in the pivot), so they're more easily pressed. Pressing wise hasn't been amazing either with man-marking in MF but the fullbacks haven't supported the wingers.
Often times Greenwood or Sancho have attempted to condense the play on the sides but a simple pass round the corner to the fullback has seen United's press been played through. This is where Telles/Dalot should be pressing the opposition FB, just like Trent & Robertson do at LFC.
Another thing with Solskjaer's 4-3-3 vs Pep's is the difference in player profile and technical level. City have elite technicians all over the pitch who are conservative playmakers, positionally disciplined & have little to no ego's (Bernardo, Gundogan, Cancelo, etc). Utd don't.
The likes of Greenwood, Pogba and Bruno are going to roam a lot, and they're also going to force aggressive passes because that's their nature. They're also bigger personalities and are more prone to being lazy whereas Pep only has 1/2 guys like that in the squad max.
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