Aside from Fulham's goal kicks where United could lock on man-to-man, Ruben Amorim’s defensive idea prevented United from getting reliable pressure on the ball in the game.
As the game wore on, United got even worse defensively.
R. Amorim has to improve.
Post-match analysis 👇
As the game wore on, United got even worse defensively.
R. Amorim has to improve.
Post-match analysis 👇
Marco Silva played a 3-1-6 shape with Fulham’s #9 and #10 pinning United’s centre backs and their #8’s overloading the midfield two outside the block.
United's wingbacks were also consistently pinned which prevented them from getting out to Fulham's fullbacks when they were low.
United's wingbacks were also consistently pinned which prevented them from getting out to Fulham's fullbacks when they were low.
United also struggled to build out from the back and consistently kicked long because of the ever-lasting issues with the centre back inverted into the #6.
This can work because it creates 2nd ball situations with United's great forwards in close proximity, but it invites chaos.
This can work because it creates 2nd ball situations with United's great forwards in close proximity, but it invites chaos.
Despite those issues, United are more competitive this year because they have better players - any team that has Shaw, Bruno, Mount, Mbeumo, Cunha, & Amad in close proximity will have success when they get the ball.
But it is a concern that United are good DESPITE their tactics.
But it is a concern that United are good DESPITE their tactics.
The frustrating thing for United is the system doesn’t let them get the ball as much as they would like. We are starved of brilliance because they don’t get the ball a lot.
When Cunha gets touches the stadium lights up but they are few & far between because of systematic issues.
When Cunha gets touches the stadium lights up but they are few & far between because of systematic issues.
As the game wore on, United got even worse.
Cunha, Mbeumo, and Šeško didn't defend whatsoever from the front of the pitch. They totally disrespected defensive principles.
For example, when Fulham kicked long, United lacked bodies in the middle to compete for second balls.
Cunha, Mbeumo, and Šeško didn't defend whatsoever from the front of the pitch. They totally disrespected defensive principles.
For example, when Fulham kicked long, United lacked bodies in the middle to compete for second balls.
When Fulham played through United's open play press (which was often easily done), they could easily combine in the final third or switch the play through the #6's because United's front 3 didn't defend.
They left Bruno and Ugarte to cover the width of the pitch in midfield.
They left Bruno and Ugarte to cover the width of the pitch in midfield.
United were lucky Fulham didn't score more than once in the latter stages, but funnily enough United were a threat themselves in transition because they left 3 players high.
However, this is not something any team does with reliability because of how illogical it is defensively.
However, this is not something any team does with reliability because of how illogical it is defensively.
I don't blame United's front 3 for this, either.
I blame Amorim.
It is obviously something that is not instilled in the team on the training pitch or in the analysis room.
The last 20 minutes of the game was pure chaos. Defensively, United were absolutely all over the place.
I blame Amorim.
It is obviously something that is not instilled in the team on the training pitch or in the analysis room.
The last 20 minutes of the game was pure chaos. Defensively, United were absolutely all over the place.
United may be better now than they were last season, but that is hardly a surprise when they are set to spend a quarter of a billion euros in this window alone.
However, tactically, they remain a very flawed outfit both with and without the ball.
Amorim must improve. He has to.
However, tactically, they remain a very flawed outfit both with and without the ball.
Amorim must improve. He has to.
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