The BIG issues with Man Utd’s NEW 4-3-3 | The Premier League Review

In Manchester United’s opening game of the 2023/24 Premier League, Erik Ten Hag’s men limped to a 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to a goal from Raphael Varane. Despite taking all 3 points, Man Utd struggled to play through Wolves’ defensive block and often found themselves on the back foot. In this video, Statman Dave dives into the clash using statistical data and match analysis. Does Mason Mount need a position switch? Will Jadon Sancho play as a striker? Should Aaron Wan-Bissaka play higher up the pitch? Find out on this Premier League Review.
TIMECODES
00:00 INTRO
00:16 Problems With Build Up
02:18 Progressing Centrally vs. Wolves
09:27 Potential Solutions
14:33 Man Utd 1-0 Wolves Match Analysis
19:27 Conclusion
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[@billiecook97]

I think the problem was obviously the build up and ball progression, it seemed like we were getting into our attacking shape way too early, leaving Casemiro on his own. Mount or Bruno need to drop alongside Case so we can progress the ball. Once we are sustaining an attack in the final third, then I think the 8 can push into the 10 position and play high.

[@playedout148]

I thought this Dutch Cruyff Barca stuff was about dominating the midfield (with numbers if need be). Leaving casemiro as the only midfield player seems antithetical.

[@2k8Spoon]

​@@playedout148I think ten hag has accepted that he can't play that way with this group of players, he recently said "we want to be the best transitional team in the world". Problem is having 5 players so high up isn't transitional at all

[@playedout148]

@@2k8Spoon fingers crossed 🤞 eth can get mount and bruno to do the job. You can cell them 8s all day, look like 10s to me.

[@Ben-G7]

@@2k8SpoonUnited had 11 turnovers in Wolves half, we were poor with our finishing and final passes. The problem was we looked like a donut, “nothing in the middle”.

[@2k8Spoon]

@@Ben-G7 to give context to that stat, wolves (and united)gave the ball away needlessly time after time, it wasn't a testament to our pressing but rather a detriment to the quality of football on display, which was by far the worst of any opening game

[@sumstultus796]

Mount was playing too high up the pitch, leaving Casemiro alone in the deep. United needs to keep more possession while building from the back. Amrabat is definitely needed who can fill up the gaps while Bruno roams higher up.

[@phatbi971]

Casemrio being left alone is what Ten Hag asked them to do. In possession it’s a 3-1-6 and this is a big issue because we will get out run.

[@docgraal485]

@@phatbi971 Thank you. I am tired of this crying for Amrabat to hold Casemiro's hand. Casemiro understands his role and yesterday he played it poorly.

[@thefishthatwalks9530]

Mount always had a tendency to drift forward and left, because he never really played as an 8 before. He has always been a pressing 10 or a left inside forward for as long as I can remember. He was anonymous every time a manager tried to use him as an 8 as he'd vacate that position when the team is on the ball, leaving his midfield partners stranded. So I don't get why so many people were so confident in saying that Mount's best position was number 8.

[@thapelokhuzwayo9583]

​@@docgraal485The point is against better team's we will get punished and dominated.

[@VictoryKelvin-ln6qr]

Lineup for me:amrabat,varane Martinez,shaw.midfield.casemiro goretska.fernandes.attck:garnacho greenwood rashford.

[@yashray731]

Remember when Mainoo stareted against Arsenal? he was dropping in the RB/RCB are allowing AWB to move up the field and also participating in ball progression. I think the idea is there but we didn't execute it well enough against wolves

[@courtlandstavley6178]

Yep! I was just about to say this is where we missed mainoo I’m really hope he’s able to recover nicely and get back to it

[@saeedyusuf8762]

​@@courtlandstavley6178He won't be back until December/January all down to Casemiro's recklessness

[@MRLONG758]

​@@saeedyusuf8762sigh. Another season of worrying and being fucked once Casemiro is out.

[@Ranamon9132]

@@saeedyusuf8762you’re seriously blaming it on casemiro? Bruh you need help LOL

[@dee9405]

Mainoo is acc the only one who can play that particular role. Young, athletic, intelligent, uses his body to shield the ball etc. Bruno can’t, Mount as well. Playing Bruno-Case-Mount isn’t balanced as well. All three treat the ball as a bomb lol. Eriksen could help but can’t deal with the physicality and the intensity. Reason Mainoo was told to learn the role lol

[@ifeanyimba6301]

This is spot on. I watched the game and I had same observation. Either Mount or Bruno should drop deep to support Casemiro, preferably Bruno, Shaw as inverted full back is not effective for his style of play. Sancho should start as the striker while Rashford is moved out wide before Hojlund is fit to start. Garnacho is not a starter yet, he is an impact sub.

[@jayzdrew7]

Spot on

[@luanbenjamin]

This!

[@Legend-zo9bc]

I don't think Bruno/Mount in the middle works, it reminds me of the Lampard/Gerrard issue for England. I think in the Prem you need one holding one who is box to box and one who is the creator. I would drop or move Mount to the right with Antony not performing that well at the moment and bring in Amrabat who would compliment Casemiro and Bruno way more than this system currently.

[@stephenfinglas6220]

Disagree United have two options that can make it work, they do what Dave said and drop mount/Bruno into the first phase and Awb play in the half spaces or if we sign Amrabat you play him instead of AWB and keep mount and Bruno high .

[@kenmay5532]

Valid Point... But Bisaka was Clearly Targeted! What is Wrong with Dalot😅

[@DavidBee101]

Just thinking out loud here, but could Pavard be a solution? Excellent on the ball and an elite progressive passer, comfortable in wide and central areas. He inverts, Shaw retains width, Varane covers wide right and our best ball playing CB in Martinez can play centrally.

[@Adam-xe5xm]

@@kenmay5532 he shouldnt be at Rb in the build up. Literally explained in the video?

[@kenmay5532]

@@DavidBee101 Pavard worse than Mount and Dalot... 0 Aerial Duels, No Pace, Poor Tackling Success Rate. He is basically a disaster waiting to happen 🤣 if Ten Hag gets him... It becomes a Trilogy of Antony, Mount and Pavard. Similar to Ole Transfer Mistakes

[@TechHunterOfficial]

The most embarrassing stat after the game was when G Neville said Man United gave away the ball 81 times... That's nearly once every minute they give it away

[@delmanpronto9374]

what a disaster.

[@liamr194]

Yes Wolves played well tactically, they forced us wide, refused to press Onana or Martinez (so they couldn't break the press) and deliberately allowed Wan-Bisaka to be the overload but we looked worryingly disjointed. Mount didn't show, Garnacho made the wrong choices every time, Shaw didn't seem to understand inverting, Casemiro looked leggy and confused, Antony was show inside every time and took it. The structure, decision-making and movement was bizarre. These are all things we knew through last season and a targeted transfer strategy was supposed to address.....

[@royalladin5276]

The problem with the buildup is exactly why Ten Hag wanted Frenkie de Jong .

[@veneroantonio905]

I totally agree

[@delmanpronto9374]

he needs to sort his right back out as well.

[@theweekndxo7438]

Erik needs Ten Hugs 😭

[@sonofzeus5551]

​@delmanpronto9374 bro there's no creativity in our right side of the team,awb and Antony are not creative players,and technical not very good but the most obvious limitation is they are both bad at progressing the ball,I can't count the number of times there are spaces for them to explore with the speed they've got and chooses not to

[@veneroantonio905]

@@theweekndxo7438 😂😂😂

[@dumisanimasaka]

I seriously question Ten Hag's talent ID. How we signed Mount is beyond me

[@jonasgomesjonasgomes2800]

I just really don't get it too, we needed a more technical midfielder with the ability to control the ball just like de Jong for example ,but why mount??? That signing blew my mind from the first day, i just hated it. I spoke to a friend and said him another flop, that's gonna cost us another season and another rebuild, defenitly we had better options.... i prefer maino over him the kid is a high IQ player

[@kalalakapay]

This team will finish 7th. Bring Di Zerbi in at the end of the season.

[@stephenpelumi2181]

The signing of mount is not what i expected i tried fitting mount tactically in several positions but i had to conclude tenhag had another style of play for him only to see this Though mount is a brilliant player he is never Erickson replacement

[@jonasgomesjonasgomes2800]

@@stephenpelumi2181 he's overrated, mostly in england

[@richardjowi7561]

When Mason Mount comes good, hope y'all will admit you were wrong and give him and Ten Hag their flowers.

[@joeleaton8752]

The one thing I noticed was how much time Casemiro was more to the right than central. I couldn’t work out who should be stepping out Shaw or Martinez - based on his and Casemiro reaction to Martinez’s booking I think there was a plan that Liche would be that guy more frequently than he could’ve been on a booking. I know he played that role a few time with Edson Alvarez at Ajax so could see ETH trying this against the low block sides in the Prem.

[@rosslogie217]

United should sign Cancelo. He hates Pep and is a top 5 right back in world football.

[@meh8798]

In my opinion they should make mount be a more defensive midfielder

[@pemtax557]

As always David ... your analysis of the match is spot on. What I was most disappointed with was the lack of both on field players and the coaching staff not recognizing the problem with the positioning and making on the fly corrections. It shouldn't have taken so damned long to make adjustments. Bruno and/or Mount should of seen the problem and adjusted accordingly.

[@TheFuzy11]

The only thing I disagree on is our midfielders dropping to the base because they’re not best at ball retention, I’ve seen Bruno in particular lose the ball in our defensive area (e.g the 2-2 draw with Leeds at home and 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace away when Casemiro had to take a booking). We need different profiles of midfielders in our team like Veratti, Modric, Kroos, Kovacic,Rodri , Thiago, Enzo etc they know how make themselves available for a pass even under pressure all the time and retain the ball or find a player

[@Nefariousbig]

2:47 love me some Andre Onananao

[@hussaindewan9365]

Surprised that Ten Hag has gone for more energetic and pressing midfielders than ball progressing ones. Which we’re sorely lacking. The fact that we chased de Jong last season shows that he sees the need for one. Can’t wait for Mainoo to be fit.

[@sue3245]

I think his obsession with De jong has been our undoing he's refused to settle for something less

[@delmanpronto9374]

are you lot even aware he wanted to bring amrabat? it's not ten hag's fault if the owners stall on the deal.

[@andrewleebunting]

I wish someone could get across the point that it's ok to keep hold of the ball as the amount of times we create problems for ourselves by just rushing and giving up possession sloppily, with the level of technical players we have, is just unacceptable. The gaps between defence, midfield and forwards were massive, and even when they kept running through as if United's players didn't exist no adjustments were made. They did that several (4-5?) times. It's the first game of the season, and we were clearly off it, so I don't want to be too reactionary, but last night could easily have been a severe battering if Wolves had taken their chances.

[@benedictjephcote6815]

Yeah, it was frustrating that our players didn't feel comfortable holding the ball and swivelling to find space for themselves. The Wolves players seemed to be doing that all game as well. The plus point for us was when Sancho came on as he was keeping the ball, turning defenders and then was opening up new space as a consequence.

[@proppageezer]

Nice one Dave, totally agree, it was a good move and a bit of luck that got us the three points, but the game highlighted a massive issue playing out that needs resolving and at least there's time to work on it, before the weekend preferably!

[@thebard20]

This game reminded a lot of the game v Brentford last season. Eth put out a team with no DM after the de Jong deal broke down to show the board how poor his options were in midfield. Casemiro was signed within days. The set up Monday felt similar, this isn't a set up that united are comfortable with or practiced much if at all and felt like another message to someone up the chain.

[@chibbyranjo]

Last season the second 8 was less advanced in the build up. Mount was playing higher up than Eriksen was last season. Mount’s mobility was meant to be one of the reasons for signing him, but playing him high up to start with was not using that mobility. He doesn’t necessarily have to slot in next to Casemiro when United are building an attack. He could be higher than Casemiro but less so than Fernandes, performing as a link between the two units of players. He has the legs to join the attack after advancing the ball. Casemiro was outnumbered constantly, and Mount being closer to the centre-circle would give him that out-ball more often. Statman Dave is entirely right about how the game was won though. The pack was shuffled so that the weakest player on the ball (Wan Bissaka) was higher up and the more creative players got on the ball earlier. Wolves get caught out of shape once in the entire match and are punished for it. And all because United were allowed to utilise the strengths of the individual players. AWB has improved massively, but he’s not yet developed the press resistance and passing that allow a player to move the ball through the lines.

[@eshiofunehsanni6047]

In 2 days Starman went from Manchester United winning the league to the problem in their formation

[@bazza2454]

What are teams not aload to make mistakes. This will make us improve when 10 hag addresses the problem

[@StatmanDaveClips]

hahahhahaah

[@prakashm1468]

another deluded dumbo...can you tell which starman?

[@kingarthur8646]

Another problem that i believe is at the cornerstone of our transition problem is the lack of discipline from midfield players. When you look at teams like City or brighton excelling at possession based football, you can see the mapping of the space covered by midfield players is homogeneous. Our midfield, particularly bruno and mount in this game, is all over the place and leaves big gaps with the defence. That's why wolves were able to burst through the midfield time and time.

[@bazza2454]

For me I think we need to play amrabat in these games as a rb like what partey did for arsenal as then we can build in a 3 with shaw wide left where I believe he’s best with time, Martinez centrally and varane on the right to have an easier passing option. I just don’t think shaw is a good inverter fullback I think he is better when either further forward or in the back 3

[@yashshah4884]

People suggesting to buy a player is not a solution. A simple solution is pushing casemiro upfield and have Bruno and mount come in deep to form a double pivot. More passing options and better midfielders on the ball who can spray passes at will. Zidane used this tactic with Madrid. (Kroos and modric coming in deep to start the attack and casemiro upfield almost as an attacking midfielder as a body in the upper midfield)

[@monoapoel234]

United need to utilize onana's ball playing/carrying ability. The higher onana is positioned in build up, the higher the build up players play. This would mean closer distances between pivots and free 8s making central progression much easier. This way united can create organized attacks more consistently and effectively so exciting concepts like minimum width will be seen and tested more often. This is only one of many important flaws though that would be punished against stronger sides

[@emitotheworld]

The easier it will be to score against man u.. This is the premier league!!

[@kenmay5532]

😢

[@yip2454]

lol we are shite when de defend against counters

[@kenmay5532]

None of our attackers was capable of receiving the ball from Onana. They are all especially bad at aerial Duels and also not press-ressistant🚶

[@m-vendor]

overrated league! With braindead long pass football!@@emitotheworld

[@benedictjephcote6815]

Sancho was a bit of a breath of fresh air when he came on. His growing experience is starting to be useful, especially as an alternative to the younger Garnacho, and to Anthony to an extent. Hopefully either Mount will get progressively more used to playing in Ten Hag's team. Mount has had a lot of coaches in the last year, and I expect he'll appreciate having time to bed in with a system and philosophy that's reasonably constant for a recent change for him.

[@akinyemiakintayo5530]

My only fear in all of this is this team might eventually revert to counter attacking style like last season when they don't even understand the basics in this new system...

[@delmanpronto9374]

it's inevitable.

[@katlehotrey212]

Such an embarrassing team

[@denzelmosore]

3:16 you are spot on! Our midfielders need to drop deep to manipulate the ball..but i strongly believe its from ETH telling them not to..this is how he wants to play AND that is a BIG problem. And non of our idfielders are ball carriers to beat a player and make a pass. That's why i'm convinced Mount and Bruno need soo much work. And when we got dispossessed We were soo open.

[@lokeshkumar-dq7yl]

More people on the attacking 3rd when the ball was still in midfield. Bruno was constantly pressed so Case was choked for stringing any pass. Bruno and Case should work as double pivot during transition and Bruno to move forward only when opponent defenders move to their box.

[@marcusnguginganga2829]

I think EtH should drop Mount for now and bring back Eriksen while they figure how to solve this isolating Casemiro issue in training. And also there's also the fact that Utd lost so many duels and 50/50s during the game. I'm starting to understand why Arteta bought some big physical players this window.

[@davidwilliams6598]

Brilliant, love the way you explaned the game, spot on. you should be Tag assitant😊😊

[@spanac100]

Bruno is the key person for creative passing. He should play behind the striker. Mount and bruno are only good with two defensive midfielders behind them. Mount is at best a winger not a midfielder. AWB higher up will leave us as exposed on the right as the midfield was with wolves. What we need is two defensive midfielders that can press, dribble, carrry and pass the ball - because of how Ten Hag wants to play - basically a rodri, stones, douglas luiz, rice, nunez from wolves…Mainoo works in that role but without someone like that we are dead because we lost fred too who could at least tackle and run - now there is no one. So even playing counter attack like last year is no longer possible. Dangerous transition because of a wrong reading of what mount can do

[@StrykezMan09]

Case pulled a bit of a Mctominay performance in the sense that he was hiding behind Wolverhampton's forwards. We need a 4 3 3 but with 2 deeper CM's.

[@user-us6gc7nh6w]

When we play Rashford up top. Antony should play on the left. Would provide more defensive cover to allow Shaw more positional freedom. Would encourage Antony to stay wide and use favored left foot to cross. Bruno could be tasked to play slightly deeper to give him more of the ball and influence play more. Then you could play either Mount/Sancho/ Eriksen as the most advanced midfielder. Garnacho's pace and directness on the right would offer us something very different.

[@davidkada820]

The issue is not only mount even Bruno hardly dropped to fill those pockets.. If both 8's can drop in once in a while in the build up phase. We can move up the pitch easier and create the chances we need

[@olimitation5466]

I want to see a variation of the 3-4-3. 2 of our back 3 being traditional CBs e.g. (Varane and Martinez) and someone that can play both CB/FB e.g. (Pavard/Shaw/possibly todibo or wan bissaka). Defensive midfield pivot of Casemiro and Amrabat for the counter press and defensive responsibilities with Mount and bruno as advanced/roaming 8s. Front 3 of Rashford, hojlund, antony etc. Amrabat could join the attack to complete the 3-1-6 when we maintain the high line; but I'd like to see the hybrid defensive player (pavard for example) join the attack with Amrabat slotting into the CB position with martinez to his left and Varane to his right when we have the high line and are on the press keeping that 3-1-6 formation

[@olimitation5466]

Amrabat exampled a similar exploit at fiorentina where he would fall back into the defensive line almost as another CB

[@dez65]

Most in depth information ever wow dude u got a new subscriber ❤

[@dublin7]

United should be playing a 4-2-3-1 with a Mount Casemiro double pivot. Casemiro playing out from just infront of the centre backs and spraying balls from there. Mount should be playing around the middle of the park, feeding balls forward in attack, and dropping deep in defence.

[@MB98164]

I can see what ETH wants to do, similar to how City build up or how Arsenal did against Forrest. The 325 build up with either full back inverting and the other becoming a 3rd CB, hopefully Pavard deal can get done because he could be crucial, cant be done with AWB, also dont think Shaw is capable inverting next to Casemiro and his best assets suit playing wide.

[@davidkh7811]

The perfect solution is koobie mainoo at right back, when he comes back from injury. Not only can he play the inverted role next to casemiro to have two at the base, he can also allows ten hag to keep Bruno and Mount as high pressing 8s and it would be a perfect way to inject him into the squad.

[@davidkh7811]

If Bruno Mount and casemiro are going to play as a midfield 3, we need a 4th midfielder from right back to move up next to casemiro and help us move the ball and also someone who is comfortable enough to cover the right side of the defence when we’re being attacked

[@LordPiddlington1912]

Build up was a massive issue, both Bruno and Mount should be dropping deeper to help facilitate and push up higher once the ball is progressing forward - neither should be acting as a dedicated 10. The way we were set up seemed to leave us so vulnerable on the counterattack, as when players like Shaw or AWB pushed up, the other players didn't rotate to cover their positions. Otherwise, there was a lot of loose passing, which is is really frustrating and worrying if we want to orient ourselves as a possession based side.

[@RBSR5]

what website do you use Dave for the per90 statistics?

[@dilz2012]

There were obvious issues with no options for the defence to play into midfield but I don't know why our defenders held onto the ball for so long. Maybe that's partly why Licha was taken off.

[@bazza2454]

I agree with you however it’s confirmed Martinez came off with a knock

[@SibtainHaider009]

im baffled how can we not be prepared for simple things in this formation, why bruno mount take the inciative and come in the midfield to play with casemiro and front 3 to open gaps in rivals... im scared now even under ten hag now...

[@santenkhata5187]

That was one of the most frustrating matches I've ever watched. I couldn't even continue even watch for more than 45 minutes. What on earth were our players doing? Everyone seemed awful apart from Onana.

[@andretirta9801]

de gea: "first time?"

[@oye2240]

Atleast we got the 3points dang those 3 felt like 6

[@mazerone8551]

Yeh the one guy that gave away a penalty (clear penalty) is the only player that wasn't awful

[@santenkhata5187]

@@mazerone8551 I respect your opinion but I don't know how that was a penalty. A 50/50 challenge is a now a foul? Moreover, goal keepers will always be protected in such situations coz that is their area. Or what did you expect him to do, allow the guy to score?

[@EthanJamesFarrer]

You turned off at half time? So you only support the team when they’re playing well/winning?

[@rosslogie217]

Wolves packed the centre and just gave United a free out ball with AWB. AWB simply has to be far better in possession if he's the spare man over and over again. Dalot needs to play if not.

[@randperson7692]

We need a new rb that's good in build up and can invert. Dalot should be back up he's not a starting level player.

[@ebrahimahulkmarreh1519]

AWB was one of our standout performers on that night. He's good defensively and he doesn't lose the ball often. So what are u talking about

[@meindinyonimi6500]

⁠@@ebrahimahulkmarreh1519I feel that some of these posters commenters don’t even watch the game, but always have and want to give an opinion/ technical analysis based on hearsay, or what they know others want to hear

[@jacobcholkur7773]

Wan Bisaka Bisaka did not have an option in midfield

[@nasilmatichomes1949]

Would have been extremely chaotic with Dalot defensively though

[@arsenalogist4285]

Good analysis but placing Bruno or Mount deeper would be disasterous. Bruno has the technique, but lacks decision-making and abit physically. Mounts actually an intelligent player but sadly lacks elite technical precision and physically. High pressing teams would expose both in these phases. The solution was obvious pre transfer window for this team. But I feel the signings have complicated the tactical dynamics.

[@nerdifymusic7322]

could have played casemiro at right back during buildup allowing AWB to move into the half spaces as his movement is quite good. this would allow bruno to drop deep, Martinez moves alongside bruno, shaw making the back three with Varane and Casemiro. This should remove AWBs Weakness and positioning shaw in the back three would allow him progress the ball. Martinez is more comfortable, hence him staying deep with bruno. they showed all this during preseason. But the guys in the half spaces should move more. they were static. Oh...You said the same thing hahahah

[@anonymous-rb3jn]

If we're gonna copy Man City and Arsenal's box midfield, then we'll need to put Dalot there. He's the only full back who can actually play there, but just like Eriksen, he hasn't been the same since his injury, but Shaw could probably be alright in a back 3. The only problem with Wan Bissaka is that he isn't the best at heading or defending crosses so that could be an issue.

[@TheShotenZenjin]

So many times you see Antony having to pass back from the right touchline position. It's difficult to understand what is being coached with these players at times. Not enough movement off the ball when attacking and too many balls into the box played to static players, like a game of Subbuteo!

[@damiwrighto.922]

It is said that games are won in the midfield but Ten Hag's tactics is by vacating the midfield for the attacking line. We are getting well countered this season as we see with Wolves game.

[@davemack]

Yeah great analysis. United showed all the hallmarks of team not yet up to speed tactically or physically with they way ETH wants to play this season. The only good think is it didn’t cost us 3 points to find that out! Got to platy Sancho or Martial in that 9 spot pending Hojlund’s fitness and let Marcus and Shaw get back to how the worked together in the second half of last season.

[@draniket29]

I think EtH should use martinez as cdm when start to build up. He has good passing range and press resistant. Same like stone when come from cb to cdm role. Leave the Luke shaw in the lcb role with 3 build up.

[@m-vendor]

The issue isn't with the tactics; it's the players who struggle with basic skills like passing and executing a through ball. Modern football seems to have declined in quality. I sometimes wonder if the high price tags on mediocre players are due to money laundering activities.

[@royalladin5276]

You hit the nail on the head. At Ajax, every player is technically skilled in the basics and they are clean in their passing. Add to that the fact that ball players have a high degree of football intelligence. Then you come to the result that you don't necessarily have to buy expensive players to be dominant.

[@usafan96soren20]

After guardiola's barça all the technical players got thrown out of the window. Now everyone should be tall, big and fast but they can't pass, dribble or hold the ball.

[@4kVIDEOS722]

I think Bruno should play deeper as a double pivot next to Casemiro and Mound should be pushed in the nr. 10 position. This way Bruno will help with the build up and Mount will be able to press better. I’m not saying this is a long term solution but it can definitely bring more balance to the midfield.

[@JackTheStrippa]

He will still bomb forward and leave spaces he is inept

[@CRG492]

I like your analysis.....I think it will work....but ETH is a stubborn manager who I am starting to doubt his ability.....he will still play the same midfield with the same formation....he will play Rashford thru the middle instead of Sancho.....we will see this time and time again....Poch is a better tactician than ETH

[@brandononeill604]

I don't think the problem is the build up I think it's the lack of control and movement from the front line. If we started Rash on the left and sancho at 9 we would have looked much better and had more control

[@ufokemo]

We kept entering the attacking shape of our build up too quickly and our offering of an option for the pass was rubbish all game

[@commentarytalk1446]

Imho the speed of the EPL players, the systems being so well drilled, I think there's a need for a DM with strength, speed and stamina to control that vital soft underbelly in front of defences: Both in offence build up and defence negation... don't think ManU have that area sorted compared to other Top 8 teams............... I think that's the big problem for ManU.

[@cheburnley6143]

B4 I watch the vid I’m going to assume that we don’t have somone calm and controlled on the ball in midfield so we basically play extreme football .. mount and Bruno going to have to switch cuz Bruno is better in the ball and needs to learn to slow down and mount main attribute is running so he’s better at cam in the pressing sense

[@magnusandersen9669]

Which app are u using for the game stats?

[@user-ww1co6yy3s]

The 1st phase progression was what Maino was brought into the first team for. Gutted he is injured at the moment.

[@fpl_djhammer]

the biggest problem was that BRUNO was playing CDM by himself whilst Casemiro and Mount were trying to play Shadow Strikers!!!

[@cornthdl]

Didn’t we have Mainoo dropping into right back while AWB was pushed up inside just like you were talking about needing to do? Haven’t seen that attempted with Casemiro, probably because Mainoo is so much better as a ball progressor.

[@mandenguemoukoko6646]

We have to remember this was a match against Wolves. We have never played a good game vs wolves in years. Idk what it is with them

[@ModernMonergy_2494]

AWB as our free man is so frustrating in this setup. This is why we needed that Pavard transfer due to his ball playing ability plus defensive sturdiness. Smh I guess we have to stick it out with him this year or use Dalot more!

[@nickraoyj]

Really hope ETH proves everyone wrong about Mount, but I am yet to be convinced that a Casemiro single-pivot works in the EPL. Truly perplexed that we didn't go for Caicedo, we desperately need a ball carrier to drive our midfield forward from deep, like how Cunha breezed past our midfield time and again.

[@Diac13]

Caicedo is way out of budget. Was never going to happen.

[@idowuebenezer6229]

Amrabat!

[@syafiqazizan8719]

We need Amrabat as a new CDM (more possession) and Dalot on RB (support Antony) . Varane, Lisandro and Shaw stay a the back (solid wall)

[@shango7942]

Can you do a comparison between Man City and Manchester United on how they play out from the back? And also how they maintain possession?

[@phatbi971]

Comparing us to city in possession is just stupid, it’s not even questionable we ain’t even better than Brighton in retaining possession.

[@shango7942]

@@phatbi971 The reason for the request is just to see the difference between the teams and how Manchester United can learn from that. No need for you to be insulting, and using words like stupid.

[@jarazimmerman3400]

​@@shango7942His point is valid though. Never mind City, we are worse than plenty of teams at these things. First we should focus on being as good as Brighton.

[@caffeine_321]

I rly think having a 3 back system IF we do get amrabat + pavard or todibo would be brilliant. The problem is that in the worst case we won't get either of them. Seriously don't understand why we didn't sell maguire and mctominay for 60m

[@sudhanvarao334]

Don't you think having a proper ball playing full back who is comfortable with the ball in midfield will really help us in progressing from the central spaces? The mf and fullback making those switches ,rotations and movements during buildup should certainly make us more fluid. Both Aaron Wan bisaka and Shaw aren't helping us at all during buildup Atm.

[@matias88876]

I think that Dalot is better for this type of playing style than AWB. I trust Bissaka against the big teams, but against lower rank teams like Wolves, Dalot just seems to be a stronger option.

[@TobiasMT95]

Mount & Fernandes we’re hiding all game. And then there were 3 forwards waiting for the long ball to run in behind… no ball playing just counter attacking 😒

[@barryispuzzled]

I like listening to your analyses. Positive and clear.

[@malungisamaseko3155]

Our team lacks team play. The combinations and link up play is not there. The movement off the play is not intentional and coordinated. They are disjointed.

[@aliaunsyed9248]

the problem is our midfield. Casemiro is world class at what he does but doesn't have Modric and Kroos ahead of him. this may feel like a hot take early on in the season but both Bruno and Mount are not enough to take us to the next level whether in championship winning caliber or advancing our style of play, and that is concerning because we're getting players that are good in their positions but no one who's absolutely great which makes the deficiencies that much harder to identify. we're also crying out for Amrabat based on what we're trying to do.

[@JackTheStrippa]

EVERYTHING you have said points to Bruno and Mount not doing their job... which points to Ten Hag for buying a midfielder not suitable (and now chasing Amarabat) and Also trusting Bruno who has shown for years to not be disciplined ...

[@Ghuttora7]

Another problem is teams are happy to give us Corners as we are so poor at Set Pieces.

[@Jykobe491]

My question is we seemed to have had all this figured out last season, why is it happening now? It's not the first time we have played a 442 pressing block. What happened?

[@UnitedCanuck]

ETH is still learning, unfortunately. Hopefully, the next game will be better. I wished the coaching staffs could watch this video.

[@livewireredb.9953]

I like Ten Hag but this shows me he has to put the players in a better position. That's his job ultimately. In a 433 the two 8s should not go up the pitch if they can't go back and show for the ball or defend.

[@abiodunolojo3794]

❤lovely analysis. Do you think we have good 1v1 wingers at the club?

[@kilima_njaro]

ETH has his favorite players and I dont belief alot will change. He tends to be stubborn and less dynamic. More of this kind of performance will come dutung the season.

[@phatbi971]

Then he will get found out in this league. That’s what got ole the sack.

[@user-tr1hx7jx4r]

you lot already turning on the manager as expected , United could get Pep , Klopp , Ancelotti and they'd turn on them within a year . Fuck our fans

[@donaldgayheart3739]

As much as you need to play better you also need results, that’s why he’s implementing slow change

[@richardjowi7561]

Glad EtH started Gernacho this first game. Now he knows Rashford should start on the left and Sancho is indescribable at least until Rasmus is able to start.

[@arthurmwg6031]

The mount experiment has to work and i trust Ten Hag to make it work, the inclusion of Hoijlund Amrabat and Mainoo will become very important soon.

[@koa972]

Mount and Bruno may have been forward in advanced midfield roles due to the lack of a real ST so aiming to push wolves back due to constant pressure (which didn't work) and create chances Rashford is unable to do because no matter how much he wants it he's not a capable striker. Also garnacho is terrible/ average/meh when he starts he always seems to bring the biggest inpact from the bench

[@dansmith4766]

I know this is a long shot and maybe I'm clutching at straws but what if this was all done deliberately with an eye for spurs? Their whole deal under Ange is flood the centre with only the wingers left very wide it's risky but the shape united took up would potentially nullify them? Maybe ten hag is over compensating for our poor performance against rival teams last year? I dunno I was just super confused by how bad we looked and particularly how it didn't seem to improve until we got personnel changes

[@AR-uy8yr]

In this game the defence including GK won the match for us..the mid and attack was appalling

[@cyberwess-007]

Dave, if we appoint Amrabat, you think a 4231 would be better suited for our players? Bruno and Mount seems unbalanced on a 433

[@sanketkhandagale7828]

We got handball, they got penalty still we win 2-1 so it doesn't matter. But performance is really bad coz of no pattern & 7 ,8 are too ahead from backline. But we will improve 100%.

[@jakejava6025]

Looked like the players weren’t fit enough to get into the right positions and weren’t brave enough to play passes into midfield. ETH needs to light a fire in them.

[@RedDevilDog1207]

Appreciate your breakdown but also think you are letting front line off the hook way too much. No interchanging or running in behind to stretch Wolves. Rashford didn't win a single loose ball or header. Lastly, when Bruno and Mount support front 3 and they dribble into 3 players and lose ball its their problem not the midfield. United continues from last season to play high press and quick counters with 0 production. This wears out everyone in middle like Casemiro, Eriksen, Bruno and even Mount, which in turn asks too much on back 4. Front 3 is the leading problem IMO not the build up.

[@ZAK-89]

No top technically ball playing player in Uniteds team, however it's getting better then last 10years, doesn't help when u buy player like Mount

[@henergy_]

yes when i was watching the match i noticed all this i thought they should have gone 442 off set

[@Lazylongcuts]

Didn't see wingers switching the play on the other side much when one side is overloaded.

[@mercurialblonde]

A lot just looks like they were tired. Maybe flying every two days isnt a good preseason. We only saw this first xi once and not for a full 90. Another slow start just like last year. Fortunately we got the 3 points

[@theoryan9443]

Very good tactical anaylisis makes it easy and accessible for all

[@markanthonylyons6406]

Sign of a good team winning when playing bad remember we lost our first game last year so there is improvement already onwards and upwards

[@RedWazzies]

This is one of the greatest analysis videos you have done. Thank you 🙏

[@damiwrighto.922]

Varane is a world class defender but not good enough for Ten Hag's system. The system needs good ball passers at the back. Varane and Wanbissaka never gives me confidence with the ball on their feet. Once I see the ball with them my mind says the ball possession is about to be lost.

[@paulpaul3785]

Despite we play in patches we managed to pull off an ugly win and so I am happy all this happen at a very early stage in our first game so we can analize, get back and work on our faults