Thread by @FathalliMohamed

🧵Tactical Thread: How Can Manchester United Stop and Hurt Spurs

After two disappointing results in their last two matches, Manchester United will host Tottenham Hotspur this Sunday, hoping to get back to winning ways. Having already faced Liverpool this season, this match marks the Red Devils' second encounter with a top-six side, giving Erik ten Hag a chance to buy himself some time and strengthen the case that his team has made improvements compared to last season.

In this thread, I’ll be breaking down the game from a United perspective, exploring Big Ange’s tactics and suggesting how the Red Devils can both limit Spurs' threats and take advantage of their weaknesses.

Likes, RTs, QTs, and Follows are always appreciated!

#MUNTOT #GGMU #MUFC #MUFC_FAMILY

This season, Spurs have been lining up in a 4-3-3 formation, with either Rodrigo Bentancur or Yves Bissouma holding down the midfield in the number six role, while their big summer signing, Dominic Solanke, leads the line as the number nine.

Though Spurs’ squad planning hasn’t exactly been up to par recently, they still have more than enough quality on the bench, particularly in midfield. Options like Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, and Archie Gray are all available for selection.

Although Spurs’ default shape is a 4-3-3, their in-game structure looks quite different.

During the deep build-up phase, center-backs Romero and Van de Ven split wide, allowing goalkeeper Vicario to step up and act as an extra center-back in possession.

At the same time, one or both fullbacks—Porro and Udogie—invert into midfield, while Maddison drops deeper alongside the pivot, becoming the primary ball progressor.

In these moments, the other number eight—usually Kulusevski this season—drops between the lines to offer a passing option for his teammates.

Dominic Solanke has also been seen dropping deeper on several occasions, using his physicality and technique to hold up the ball and act as a reliable outlet.

Meanwhile, the wingers—typically Son and Johnson—hold the width high up the pitch.

This not only helps Spurs stretch the opposition’s backline and create gaps for the inverting fullbacks and number eights to exploit, but also allows them to form numerical superiority and passing triangles on both flanks once the ball reaches those areas.

As Spurs build higher up the pitch, they maintain their 2-3-5 shape, though obviously without Vicario's involvement.

The front five can even shift into a six or even seven, with one of the number eights and a fullback making underlapping runs between the center-backs and fullbacks.

That said, this structure isn’t always so rigid.

Sometimes, one fullback inverts while the other stays wide, allowing one of the wingers—usually Son—to tuck inside and occupy the left-hand space.

Spurs' build-up shape gives them a solid platform to maintain and circulate possession, thanks to the numerical superiority created by the inverted fullbacks and number eights.

Currently, they rank second in average ball possession at 63.40 percent and field tilt at 75.11 percent, just behind Manchester City in both metrics.

However, this possession can sometimes feel a bit "sterile."

In back-to-back losses against Newcastle and Arsenal, Spurs averaged over 64 percent ball possession but managed to create less than 2 xG across the full 180 minutes of football.

Against the Magpies, Newcastle defended in a 4-4-2 that shifted into a 5-3-2 or 5-4-1, with Joelinton dropping into the left-back position.

This matched Spurs’ numbers in central areas, blocking their progression through the middle.

Additionally, with five players at the back, the spaces available for Spurs' number eights and inverted fullbacks to exploit became much tighter.

When Spurs switched the ball to wide areas, they struggled to create their usual numerical advantage, as two players from Newcastle’s backline, along with one midfielder, were always able to match up and nullify their efforts.

In the Arsenal game, the Gunners, who are arguably the best-drilled defense in the league, adopted a similar, though slightly riskier, approach.

Arteta set his team up to defend in a 4-4-2 low block, with the double pivot of Jorginho and Partey pushing up on Spurs’ number eight on the ball side.

Once again, this matched Spurs’ numerical advantage in central areas, cutting off their progression through the middle. But you might be wondering: how can a low block carry any real risk?

As you can see highlighted in red here, both Saka and Martinelli tracked Udogie and Porro when they inverted.

While this limited Spurs' ability to overload the middle, it left wingers like Johnson and Son with plenty of space to receive the ball comfortably.

However, Johnson’s lack of creativity when isolated on the right, combined with Spurs' insistence on forcing play through the middle, along with Arsenal’s fullbacks timing their defensive jumps perfectly when the ball reached wide areas, prevented Ange’s men from capitalizing on the spaces Arteta's setup allowed.

This brings us to how Manchester United should approach the game to limit the threat of Spurs' possession-based style.

First off, here’s the starting lineup I believe Ten Hag should go with.

It's largely the same as the one used against Palace, except for Ugarte making his league debut and Garnacho starting on the right instead of Amad.

Given that the game is at Old Trafford and knowing Erik ten Hag’s preference for pressing in a high to mid-block, I doubt we'll see the Red Devils sit deep—which, in my opinion, is the best way to limit Spurs' threat.

That said, based on how Ten Hag has been setting up his team, I expect United to line up in a 4-4-2 mid-high block during Spurs' deep build-up phase.

Zirkzee and Bruno should lead the press, playing as hybrid players with dual roles—marking Spurs' center-backs and their number six.

The two wingers should be tasked with pressing Spurs' fullbacks to deny them any numerical advantage in midfield. Meanwhile, both Mainoo and Ugarte need to cover the central areas and press Spurs' number eights as soon as they receive the ball.

De Ligt should be the one stepping up to handle Solanke when he drops deep, as the Englishman’s physicality could be a challenge for Lissandro Martínez to match.

It's worth noting that Spurs' adventurous build-up shape can actually be something United could exploit. While both Romero and Van de Ven are well-suited to Ange-ball, they’re still prone to errors in possession—especially Van de Ven.

His timing and weight of passes can be off at times, and if United manage to force turnovers, the gaps between Spurs' backline could become a major weakness to exploit.

However, when Spurs inevitably manage to progress through the phases, I believe United should stick to their 4-4-2 shape while borrowing a page from both Newcastle and Arsenal’s playbook.

Rashford and Garnacho should stay close to Spurs’ fullbacks, while the double pivot works to overload the ball side when Spurs are in the final third.

Ugarte and Mainoo should alternate dropping deep to the backline, closing the gaps between defenders. With the wingers and fullbacks joining in, this should also prevent Spurs from creating their usual wide triangles.

This approach will require every player to be in peak physical condition, especially the wingers, who will need to track back constantly. But it will also demand excellent synergy between the players, knowing exactly when to drop deep and when to step out to press Spurs’ number eights.

It’s worth mentioning that in their last league game against Brentford, Spurs shifted away from their usual possession style, instead focusing on creating chances through transitions—whether by pressing high and intensely or quickly progressing the ball after winning it deep.

In their last two matches, against Brentford and Qarabag, Spurs scored at least four of their six goals from high turnovers or quick transition attacks.

So while their possession play can sometimes fall flat, there's no doubt they have plenty of players capable of hurting United in transition. Solanke, Johnson, Maddison, and of course Son, all possess the blend of passing range and explosive pace needed to cause problems when winning the ball back.

Back to Spurs' weaknesses, While their overloads in the middle of the park help them create a stronger counter-pressing structure, with players positioned close to where the ball is lost, it also leaves them extremely vulnerable in wide areas (due to FBs inverting) if they don’t regain possession quickly.

So, when United turn the ball over in deep areas, even though I’m not a fan of this approach on a consistent basis, the players should look to hit the wide areas with direct balls to the wingers. This is why I’ve chosen Garnacho to start over Amad on the right—he offers more "explosiveness" when taking a direct approach.

Here are some examples from Spurs' recent games.

Obviously, Spurs like to press high and with intensity, often doing so in a man-to-man fashion, with Solanke acting as a hybrid presser and the pivot stepping up into midfield.

While this approach has been largely successful—Spurs currently have the second-lowest opposition build-up percentage at 76.79 percent and force the second-most possession losses in dangerous areas, averaging 27.60 times per 90—it still creates another vulnerability that can be exploited.

To press as a unit, Spurs rely on a high defensive line—the third highest in the league currently, averaging 50.34 yards—which can, at times, be risky, to say the least, even with Romero, Van de Ven, and Vicario capable of sweeping up the spaces behind. (Check Newcastle's 2nd goal)

In fact, even when set up in their 4-1-4-1 low block, Spurs' backline still stays relatively high. This is why I would prefer starting Zirkzee as the number nine over Højlund, despite many favoring Højlund for his ability to exploit spaces in behind.

With Zirkzee, alongside Garnacho and Rashford, United would have more balance up front. Zirkzee’s movement could help drag Spurs' backline even higher, and while his aerial ability may be questionable, he can still be a target for long balls to help United progress up the pitch.

From there, he can link up play and set up patterns like the "up, back, and through" passes, creating opportunities and space for the wingers to exploit.

I can already picture Rashford unleashing a first-time switch or diagonal ball to the other side, just like his assist against Liverpool in that 2021 FA Cup 3-2 win.

Finally, Manchester United should look to capitalize on their "improved" set pieces.

Last season, the Red Devils scored nine goals from set plays, with a generated xG of 10.95. So far this season, they've already netted two, the second-most behind Arsenal and Villa, who each have three, while also creating the fifth-highest xG from set plays at 1.88.

On the other hand, Spurs accumulated the third-highest xG from set plays last season with 14.69, ironically behind Burnley and first-place United.

However, it doesn't seem like Ange’s side has made much progress in this area—they’ve already conceded two goals from set pieces this season and have the third-highest xG against from set plays at 2.1.

The Sunday clash will undoubtedly be an intriguing matchup that will test both teams in different ways.

Will Ange Postecoglou adjust his tactics to limit United’s transitional threat? Will Ugarte prove to be the right fit for the way United want to play?

These questions, and more, will be answered after the game.

End.

Ah, one more thing. Always show Brennan Johnson inside to his left foot.

Fella can definitely finish when running straight.