Football experts Jon, Aaron, and Kees discuss Manchester United's season woes, analyzing tactical failures, lack of solutions, and future prospects. They explore the club's underperformance, defensive issues, and need for strategic rebuild. Insights into elite coaching challenges and manager evolution in modern football are also shared.
Manchester United suffered defensive regression this season, marked by record shots conceded.
Tactical adjustments are needed due to systemic issues exposed in matches like the Brighton game.
Struggles in build-up play and defensive vulnerabilities require adjustments in United's tactical approach.
Deep dives
Manchester United's Regression and Emergence of Young Players
Manchester United's performance this season has been marked by regression in their post-Ferguson era, especially defensively, with record numbers of shots conceded. Despite a mid-table league placement, the team's poor performances have been overshadowed by glimpses of promising young players. The ownership change has added a transitionary feel to the season, highlighting the team's tactical failings and struggles to manage a team-wide tactical approach.
Realization of Systematic Issues After the Brighton Match
A significant turning point for Manchester United this season was the Brighton match, where systemic issues in the team's tactical approach became evident. The shift from form to systematic problems indicated a need for tactical adjustments in approaching matches. The team's out-of-possession struggles, particularly highlighted in their structural flaws and defensive vulnerabilities, have led to a poor defensive record, impacting their overall performance.
Challenges in Build-up Play and Evolving Out-of-Possession Tactics
Manchester United's struggles in build-up play have been compounded by the team's tactical decisions and player performances. The introduction of Andre Onana was expected to enhance build-up, but the team has failed to capitalize on his strengths. In out-of-possession scenarios, tactical shifts towards a 4-4-2 structure have aimed to address vulnerabilities in pressing. However, these changes have exposed midfield and defensive gaps, leading to increased defensive fragilities and challenges in controlling game transitions.
Tactical Approach and Game States
The podcast delves into Manchester United's tactical approach, highlighting how the team configuration creates challenges in pressing opposition teams effectively. Unlike teams like Arsenal and Manchester City, United face difficulties in regaining possession due to their play style, leading to struggles in settled possession. The discussion emphasizes the impact of United's approach on game states, suggesting that a more conservative press could have benefited the team.
Managerial Assessment and Future Prospects
The episode explores the managerial challenges faced by Manchester United, focusing on Eric Ten Hag's performance and the team's overall tactical shortcomings. The conversation addresses the role of ownership changes in impacting managerial decisions and team performance. It questions the feasibility of Ten Hag turning things around and compares United's situation to clubs with successful rebuilds, highlighting the complexities of appointing elite coaches and maintaining long-term success in the changing landscape of football management.
Jon Mackenzie is joined by Aaron Moniz and Kees van Hemmen to revisit this season from a Manchester United perspective and explore what it was that meant we got Man United so wrong this season…
How would you tell the story of Man United this season to someone who hasn’t followed it?
What is the tactical reason that this season has gone so horribly wrong?
Once things started going wrong… was there any feasible solution?
So where does the club go from here?
Follow Aaron: @amonizfootball
Follow Kees: @HemmenKees
This episode of the Tifo Football Podcast is presented by Jon Mackenzie, produced by Mike Zimmermann.