Tactical issues
Manchester United’s tactical set up has caused issues for a while.
Last season Manchester United tactical problems were largely blamed on the injury crisis, ruling out many key players.
However, this season the same problems are remaining.
One of the most glaring problems is their pressing structure, which leaves significant gaps in the midfield.
United’s press, rather than being cohesive, often lacks coordination, with players pressing in isolation.
This has allowed opponents to bypass the midfield too easily, exposing the defence.
Even with the summer signing of Manuel Ugarte, a player expected to shield the backline and control the midfield, the problem persists.
Instead of solidifying United’s midfield, Ugarte has found himself overwhelmed, struggling to plug the gaps and prevent teams from running through.
Against Tottenham, these issues were magnified.
United failed to play out from the back, a hallmark of ten Hag’s philosophy.
Spurs capitalised on this, swarming United’s defence with their high press, forcing errors and making it difficult for United to build possession.
The inability to transition effectively from defence to midfield left United vulnerable, especially on the counter attack.
Additionally, a less tactical but equally problematic issue has been the players’ inability to track their opponents.
Diogo Dalot, for instance, lost his marker, Brennan Johnson, in the lead-up to Spurs’ opening goal.
That basic defensive error set the tone for the match.
As these problems mount, it’s becoming increasingly clear that ten Hag’s tactical blueprint is not working, raising questions about whether he can adapt enough to save his job.
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