Thread by @ftblnatt

A piece on the different variations of patterns used by #MUFC for progression against @NFFC and a glimpse of rather different ideologies of the gaffer personified...

A video Thread 🧵

In the first few minutes of the game, Forrest was able to negate #mufc's build-up using a narrow 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3 matching up the midfielders and using curved runs to deny progression down the flanks using their wingers.

But that only triggered Red devils' to exploit their qualities using different weapons to progress play.

@NFFC block was narrow & compact in the center but they were passive & dysfunctional; as the fwds stretched & pinned their fbs they weren't able to jump on the free players.

Their FWD's thought they closed the passing lane to the free players but that was only in the ground. Like I said earlier their fbs were pinned so they weren't able to jump & react.

So MUFC used a diagonal long pass to find free players & progress play.

Even though we were able to find the free players in acres of space in crucial positions creating good opportunities we weren't able to make a lot out of it to make them good chances of scoring as the final balls were missing.

The other method used by #mufc for progression was again long passes but this time over the block/press. The need for this was Forrest's mid-block who was playing in a slightly high line without exerting pressure on MUFC.

It was another better plan to dismantle the block & pin them back on their half. Rashy & especially Bruno & Eriksen were making those runs giving depth to our play. But again the execution lacked the timing to get something out of it. But still, it penned them back which is fine.

The other mechanism used for progression was playing around the block especially in the left flank using Shaw's creative prowess & Garnacho's 1v1 qualities supported by clever underlapping runs from Malacia and Donny.

To execute this method prior to those actions we shifted the opposition from side to side with passes to then find the right time hurt them when they're inferior position & numerical wise.

Again the process was fantastic but the final ball was missing.

Well well well how the turn the tables. This time we used a method to be able to progress through the block. Overloading the center, making clever dummies, movements and decent passing helped us not only go through the block but also create chances.

Rest defense is pretty well known to fans but the opposite Rest-attack has been a sensational aspect of #MUFC over the yrs. It's the way your attacking player's setup to regain the ball & thrive in transition.
The story wasn't different on Tuesday either.

Antony should've done better and finished that clear-cut chance but it's wise to appreciate the structure that helps us deal better in transition. It was superb.

One of our goals came through it as well.

Casemiro's recovery pace, ability to regain the ball, Bruno's awareness of the space ahead & quality passing, Rashy's well-timed run behind the opposition back line & his decision making helped by Toto's shot placement & the GK acting poorly made it an exhilarating transition.

The corner kick routine has been magnificent.

The opp used a hybrid of Man & zonal-oriented defending in the box.
Varane, Bruno, Rashy & Case made a pack then the former made a decoy run deceptive for opps paving the lane for Rashy to arrive & strike.

Awoniyi could've done better by following the run of Rashy but instead, he got himself doubling on Bruno which wasn't needed at all. Terrible mistake from their half.
And well executed plan from MUFC.
Credit to Keij (P.analyst) & Ramsay(S.piece coach)
Great pass by the dane too.

MUFC had kept possession for long periods but when they lost it and pressed in a settled way they struggled to recover the ball. As it was easy for Forrest to bypass the pressure targeting our right flank in which AWB wasn't backing the press.

Its understandable as he had instilled a passive/reactive mindset over the yrs.+ it was only his 2nd game this szn. But overall despite lacking the final ball. His performance been decent in posesion as well giving the wingers space to roam by his runs.

Yeah, Rashy scored a decent goal but overall his game has been top-notch.
Esp creativity wise; 'La pausa', pass selection, weighting & speed in it, progressive carries, and most importantly his decision-making made it his best performance this szn imo.

https://t.co/q7E7aKs5gN

His defensive performance gets the credit it deserves. But Casemiro's proactivity & distribution has been criminally underrated.

Anticipation, interception, well-weighted disguised pass... he was just superb. twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

It was nice to see us capitalize on our botched attacks in the turnovers. Speaks volumes about our organization to deal with loss of possession to recover it quickly & dismantle opp in the short time span where they are disorganized.

10+ pass sequences: 28 (helps us organizing)

Ten Hag learnt key bits in his time at FCB but his ideologies are closer to Diniz,Ancelotti & the dutch school of play.

Its 1 thing overloading 1 side to switch & finish on other side & another thing to play in close proximity giving license for players to be creative & alive

The gaffer said the other day it's about principles in possession with freedom but rules without the ball. Encouraging the players to build a synergy & initiate creativity to exploit their qualities finding solutions a manager wouldn't have dreamt of.
Carlito is the same.

https://t.co/M35mZ4LekE
It's important to push the players to their absolute limits to be creative & not suppress it with many rules.

Here's some bits of the approximation/functional plays based on relations.

Key concept; space is generated between them twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Here's other sequence of the aforementioned play.

By being alive I meant it in a way that some technically gifted players' efficiency decreases unless they're close to the play.

Generating space via interchangeability,link-up, dummies & 3rd man runs,etc

Erik ten Hag's Amorphous #mufc attack using different variations maximizing the probability of winning entertainingly, in a hybrid mechanism consisting of the JDP & relations rules of thumb.

Its a process 📈

Shaw and Casemiro appreciation tweet who had to cover CB position in absence of the key players in that position. Not only they kept clean sheet by their top defensive display but also they aid progression from the back in what was supposed to be their first outing in such posn.

Our XG might've been very low compared to the dominant displays and sustained pressure.We arrived in crucial positions but struggled in the last hurdle to execute opportunities > clear chances > goal.

Recent performances are perfect indicator of it. Lots of room for improvement.