The technical fundamentals from Anderson are top-notch, clear to see why Tuchel fancied him as the deepest midfielder for ENG. His feel for the game to play one touch, two touch, speed up, slow down is quality. Look at the awareness to spot this pass & take 5 out of the game.


The understanding of how to 'build the ladder' & climb through the opposition's defensive shapes is beautiful. He's playing a mini-game against his opp mf. Look how he drags Scott, asks CHO to position behind him, off-balances him, & builds a line for the team to progress through. Small details.

Maguire spoke about this recently, but I'm encouraged by these 'swinging' moments in United's structure, as they transition from 3-4-3 to 4-4-2 on and off the ball.

De Ligt-Yoro [CBs]
Shaw-Dalot [FBs]
Bruno-Case [CMs]
Dorgu-Mount-Cunha-Mbeumo [Forwards]

Becomes so much more recognisable when we build up like this. Mount's positioning here asked so many questions of Zubimendi/White because he was dragging wide, opening up the space directly in front of Casemiro to drive into [a ball-carrier in the centre like Mainoo would've been able to stride through here].

The back 4 is pinned, the pivot is dragged wide, the forwards have been bypassed, and we've created space directly in front, which is where all of our best chances in the first half came from. Similar questions were asked by United in a deep build-up here, with no centre-back in midfield here. 4-2-3-1 with a narrow front, three pinning with Mount asking that same question in front. Mbeumo-Dalot was the solution [we tried it here]. Martinelli is somewhat 'in-between'.

I like the signing of Mazraoui, a multi-functional full-back who’s great at filling out many different roles given within a system; inverted, tucking inside as a third CB, overlapping/width-holding and even a TOP underlapping option too. This is a completely different dynamic… to AWBA, who is more of a lockdown, 1v1 and defensive specialist. At face value, it’s good for versatility, he is a relatively two-footed, multi-functional and highly technical player. This leaves the door open for him to cover both LB/RB, as he did for BM at times last season…

Overview & my thoughts on Leny Yoro—

Detailed Thread; 🧵 — 1. Athleticism/ball-winning ~ Standing around 6ft 3/4in at his age is already quite frightening but it’s his combination of long legs and a lean upper body which makes him seem so slender therefore he carries his sense of ball-winning out like an AWB, for example, just less…

My in-depth thoughts on Sofyan Amrabat to Manchester United; 🧵 He will drastically improve us out of possession, he's a terrier in the press. A master ball-winner who has a feel for the dark arts.

He's a great conductor and controller of the first and second phases of play and whilst he's not a drop-of-the-shoulder-like midfielder who can worm his team out of the press, he uses his frame incredibly well to shield the ball and get out of sticky situations.

Already covered Mount but we’ll go again; 🧵

It’s clear ETH views the 8/10s as ‘between the line’ players rather than a deep lying player (similar to Ajax), progression will be demanded of the GK, back four & 6 to break the press consistently and find Bruno and Mount in space… Off the ball is majorly important to Ten Hag, and like it or not that is one of if not Mount’s best quality. But let’s not act like he doesn’t improve us in possession too, because he does.

His progression, switches of play, carrying, improves us drastically between the lines.

Antony to Manchester United…

Thread 🧵 Disclaimer, I will *only* be focusing on the footballing side of this transfer because a lot has been made of the fee and I do agree that it’s a massive overpayment but the sum of money doesn’t change the players quality nor my opinion on the player.

Let’s talk about Casemiro to Manchester United…

Thread 🧵 Casemiro is an elite DM and there’s no two ways about it. He reads and covers the defensive side of the role more than anyone has in his position in at least the past decade. Seconds balls, aerial duels, ground duels and suppressing transitions.