Disagree that Sir Alex was not an attacking manager but have set out why I agree that his 'disciples' are managerial dimwits [A THREAD]

- Graft over quality (need both)
- Reading of the game is poor
- Lack ability to adapt
- Do not hire top coaches
- Poor man-management

#MUFC

https://twitter.com/Zonal_Marking/status/1460143496187289603

I agree that after 2007/08 - the quality of United football took a nose dive in terms of attacking excellence and relied heavily on their pre existing defensive structure which still seemed to keep going.

𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐝 (𝟒-𝟑-𝟏-𝟐) 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

✅Easy Build Up v 4-4-2 but difficult v 4-3-3
✅Solid in Low Block but energy sapping
❌Unsuited to high press/chase lead
✅Ideal Player Profiles
❌Not ideal for Grassroots

CC: @TacticalPad Build Up Phase (Basic Outline)

- CB’s split creating space for CDM to receive
- FB’s push higher to provide options after initial breakout)
- CM’s may need to drop short to facilitate progression from defensive third
- CF's may need to pull wide to provide direct passing option

#LIVCHE - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴VVD showed Lukaku's true level
🔴Liverpool need Origi against low block
🔴James = handball but not a red
🔴Havertz and Mount dangerous first half
🔴Liverpool fall asleep from corner

CC: @TacticalPad

#LFC #cfc #chelsea

👇 Havertz has always been a major set piece threat from his Leverkusen days, so why he's being marked by Henderson and not a VVD is poor man marking strategy by Liverpool.

He should be the main focus from a corner, not Lukaku.

𝐑𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐨 𝐓𝐨 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 - 𝐀 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞

🔴Shaw & Sancho = Aerial Service 🤤
🔴Do not play him as a winger!
🔴Incompatible with Pogba? 4-1-4-1...
🔴Can he work with Greenwood?
🔴Can't create/press

CC: @TacticalPad

#MUFC #CristianoRonaldo

[THREAD] Ronaldo is a GOAT aerial threat, arguably just behind your Pele's.

Sancho rarely stays out wide these days but there is no denying the fact that his crossing is elite and Shaw seems to have recaptured the art of crossing.

Rashford and Bruno could also cross from half spaces.

#ITAENG - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴Southgate bottled it after taking lead. No lessons learned from Croatia.
🔴Time taken to unleash subs was criminal, Mancini was proactive.
🔴Subbing Immobile changed the game

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ENG #ITA

👇 England fired out of the blocks. Italy did not expect English wing back to push up high from both flanks, let alone Kyle Walker making a surprise foray forward to outnumber Italy on the blindside.

Italy shifted across in haste, this time leaving space on the other flank.

#ENGDEN - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴Southgate releases the shackles in extra time, learns from 2018 (Foden, Grealish and Sterling to the right)
🔴Saka did not hold width - England too lopsided
🔴Kane in Spurs mode

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ENG #DEN England made a blistering start, once again combining down the left. The mids went wide in order to progress the play and Shaw's wonderful one touch flicks and passes kept finding Sterling.

It soon got clocked on to and Denmark shifted across, flooding that area with bodies.

A study of Southgate’s in-game pressing strategies and variations.

#ENG chose their moments when to retreat and go for the jugular in their win against Germany.

Expect the same against #DEN - a team that generally likes to remain aggressive.

#ENGDEN #EURO2020

[THREAD] As expected England sat back in the opening exchanges - feeling their way into the new shape and frustrating the Germans early doors (notorious for their fast starts and putting teams away).

#ITAESP - Tactical Thread

Key points:

- How Spain stopped Italy's build up play
- Italy forced to rely on transitions for attacks
- Olmo the False 9
- Morata's redemption arc is over

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ITA #ESP Italy were able to grab an equalizer via a more direct route to goal.

In stark contrast to their style all tournament, #ITA were forced to sit back and defend, relying on counter-attacks for chances.

Insigne and Chiesa would target the space behind #ESP fullbacks.

An intriguing feature of #EURO2020 is how teams adapt their pressing strategy depending on the game state.

Teams rarely stay as a low block or press like mad men all game.

Here is a look at #ITA defensive actions heat map in different stages of their QF v Belgium.

[THREAD] In the first 15 minutes, the Italians keep it tight with the focus on keeping KDB quiet - the opposition dangerman.

#ENGUKR - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴If can't defend - do not just sit back and expect numbers to work in your favour
🔴England press reset button at half time and go for the jugular
🔴Gareth's faith in Kane - Justified!

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ENG #UKR Shevchenko turned what is a lightweight but proactive Ukrainian side into a low block 5-3-2 side. These players lacked the natural instincts and familiarity with the set up to make it work.

England had men who go inside and outside - Spain take notice of how to beat low block.

#CZEDEN - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:

- Denmark's off the ball movement crucial in the final third
- Czech Republic lack central passing options in the middle to final third
- How Denmark exploits Czech Republic's poor press

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #CZE #DEN When #DEN get into the final third, their front three occupy the central defenders, while the wingbacks force the #CZE fullbacks to mark them.

The Danish forwards would drop from the forward lines into the middle third to drag their man markers out of position.

#BELITA - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:

- Verratti useless until Mancini's tactical change
- Belgium's pressing structure starts off strong but falls short
- Belgium thrived in transitions but nowhere else

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #BEL #ITA Belgium would press in a sort of 3-4-1-2/3-5-2. This was done so that Italy could not play through the middle.

The emphasis was on shielding Jorginho or Verratti while having the front three still able to press the Italian "back three"

#SUIESP - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴No inverted wingers for Spain backfired
🔴Swiss played brilliantly with 10 men (4-4-1)
🔴Morata isolated (Pedri too deep)
🔴'Poor' Torres - Do not want at United

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #SUI #ESP Inverted Wingers are a modern trend for a reason.

Despite Sarabia impacting the side from RW, Enrique deployed him at LW, in an effort to stretch the Swiss backline.

I can see the thinking but a hybrid would ensure there is more inside and outside threat. Morata isolated.

𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨 𝐓𝐨 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 [𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝]

🔴Enhances the right flank? yes to a degree...
🔴Freedom to roam (is AWB a good fit?)
🔴Likes to switch flanks...
🔴What formation/signings will maximise his potential?

CC: @TacticalPad

#Sancho #MUFC #Donedeal Pre Sancho signing, United have really struggled down the right hand side. At one stage they even put Rashford there but he did not look happy at having to vacate his favoured left sided role.

Greenwood and Mata, came inside often and AWB did not bomb on enough...

#ENGGER - 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝

Key points:

🔴Sterling a world-class talent when in the mood
🔴3-4-3 pinned the Germans back
🔴Low's leaky backline bites again
🔴Grealish Game-Changer
🔴Back 5 helped English midfield (options)

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #ENG #GER Starting lineup thoughts, the Saka decision was brave and the correct one as he can penetrate space inside and outside. Perfect for a counter attack set up.

Abit too perfect as its effectiveness ended up pushing the Germans back...

#FRASUI - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:
- Lack of width from France
- Switzerland bully Lenglet and Varane
- Rabiot is not a defender; barely a midfielder
- Both sides style of play is a reflection of their mentality

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #FRA #SUI To accommodate Rabiot filling in at LWB, #FRA had to adjust their defensive structure.

They started in a back five but would have the ball sided wingback press the player in possession, joining the midfield line, forming a 4-4-2 as #SUI are forced to go backwards.

#CROESP - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:
- Croatia looked to defend from the start
- Modric's attempts at man-marking expose Croatia
- Spain's off the ball movement
- Croatia COMEBACK after Spain collapse
- Football is mad

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #CRO #ESP #CROSPA Croatia looked to defend from the moment the game began.

Spain's attacking structure resembles a 3-3-4 or 3-2-5, so to defend against this, #CRO would have their wide players Vlasic and Rebic track Gaya and Torres.

#BELPOR Euro 2020 - Tactical Thread

Key points:

🔴Portugal Xmas Tree (Off the Ball)
🔴Belgium bringing their wing backs inside
🔴Portugal build up is awful (Huge distances)
🔴Time to move on from Ronaldo?
🔴Portugal right flank poor.

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #BEL #POR Portugal adopted a low block in the first half and it was a 4-3-2-1 (Xmas Tree) when they did not have the ball.

The plan was to make Belgium keep passing into wide areas and flood the middle so that KDB and Hazard could be locked off.

#NEDCZE Euro 2020 - Tactical Thread

Key points:

⚽️Malen over Weghorst was a mistake, as Czech press and then dropping deep when Dutch got through made a physical presence up front important
⚽️Blind nullified and exposed
⚽️De Ligt 😱

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #NED #CZE The Czech man-marked the Dutch from Steklenburg's goal kicks adopting an aggressive 4-3-3 marking a 3-4-3. This made it impossible to play out from the back and forced the Dutch long... where there was no Weghorst as a target man.

This destroyed Dutch rhythm and confidence.

#GERPOR - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:

⚽️Portugal's Goosen was cooked - Semedo got shagged
⚽️Bruno is Portugal's Kane... flat track bully.
⚽️Germany's front three interchanged better and Kimmich stayed wider
⚽️Ronaldo 🔥🐐

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #GER #POR Germany built up down the right predominantly and switched the ball out to the left whenever they wanted to go for the kill.

When this switch was made, Havertz went central and Muller took Havertz position. This confused Portugal's defence and Kai's physicality is so effective.

#HUNFRA - Euro 2020 Tactical Thread

Key points:
⚽️ Low block 5-3-2 plays a 4-4-2 diamond with little natural width = stalemate.
⚽️Dembele sub as predicted made a difference but Coman was a big miss
⚽️Hungary focus attack down the left

CC: @TacticalPad

#EURO2020 #HUN #FRA Hungary gave France an awful lot of trouble down their supposedly rock solid right side of defence. Varane looked very unfocused and laboured and he did not marshal this half space well.

Hungary used third man runs to exploit this briliantly. Credit especially to Fiola...