Thread by @EBL2017

The biggest risk ten Hag's Ajax take is with line-breaking passes from CB's or the pivot player in situations like this. If the pass isn't successful, there's only 1 player in midfield and at least 2 are needed to maintain compactness. It's why elite on-ball qualities are needed.

He puts such an emphasis on technical quality at CB that his starting duo are Lisandro Martinez (5'7) and Jurrien Timber (5'8). Daley Blind has also played there a lot too who's only 5'9. If ten Hag does get the United job, the club will have to target elite ball playing CB's.

Obviously common sense would prevail in the Premier League and ten Hag wouldn't opt for such small centre backs, but the point stands. His system requires elite technical levels at centre back and in the pivot, much like Arsenal, City's, and Barca's system require.

I think a solution would be McTominay at CB alongside Maguire. McTominay can play in the pivot, but he's a bit like Henderson in the sense that he's a runner profile. Partey, Rodri, & Busquets are content with sitting. Maguire/Varame/McTominay/Lindelof wouldn't be a bad quartet.

However, that means the club will need 2 pivot players for the #6 role. No top coach would ever rely on a left-footer in a single pivot. Their angles are far too limited as they're more lopsided bong angles wise and more reliant on their preferred foot than right footers are.

That combined with Matic's age and lack of intensity + Fred's lack of quality means United would need an elite #6 ala Fabinho, Rodri, or whoever. When play is in the oppositions final third Ajax are compact because one of the fullbacks invert, but not when building play.

They really cannot afford to lose possession in that phase. A ready-made player will have to fit the bill but also someone who excels physically to deal with transitions in the uber-physical Premier League. Problem is Barca need a player like that too, and they're rare talents.

Kalvin Phillips currently plays the role to an exceptional standard at Leeds, or Declan Rice would make sense too. They're two of the most valuable midfielders in the world. How many players are good enough physically & technically to play as a single OR double #6 for any style?

I think Declan Rice would be the safer bet because he's more mature mentally. Phillips can be a little aggressive at times within his pass selections, whereas Rice is simply elite in that regard, although his price is extortionate. The foreign market isn't very promising either.

Someone like Palhinha makes sense stylistically but his profile is similar to that of William Carvalho and Danilo at PSG who are a little too slow to cover ground and heavy with their touches in possession. They're international players, but the type of profile that makes sense.