🔴 Manchester United's Recent Struggles (Technical/Tactical Analysis) A Thread 🧵

Analysis of Previous Games: Vs City: https://x.com/automatisms_/sta... Vs Spurs: https://x.com/automatisms_/sta... Vs Bournemouth: https://x.com/automatisms_/sta...

🔴 MUN-NEW ANALYSIS ⚪ 🧱 PENETRABLE MID-BLOCK - 5-2-3 (wide wingers) shape enabled central progression for Newcastle - False 9 and inverted wingers gave Newcastle central overloads - Contrast to compact 5-4-1 seen in previous games

- 3v2 midfield overload. Tonali free. - Guimaraes wins 1v1 moment vs Eriksen - Lack of intensity from Mazraoui to block Gordon's cross - Martinez has Joelinton in his line of sight but fails to track his run

Poor decision from Amorim to have 2 immobile midfielders (Eriksen & Casemiro) play against more athletic midfielders while being outnumbered. Terrible box defending from Martinez and weak attempts from Mazraoui to block the crosses on both goals.

❌ CHALLENGES IN BUILD-UP - Man-to-man press from Newcastle - United unable to find free CCB (Maguire) in midfield as they did in early games under Amorim - Reoccurring issue from Bournemouth and Wolves games https://x.com/automatisms_/sta...

- Hojlund more effective as a target man to play over Newcastle's press than Zirkzee vs Bournemouth

⚽ SETTLED POSSESSION - Inability to manipulate Newcastle's block - Lack of dynamism. No opposite movements - No overloads to isolate as seen in early games under Amorim - Back pass to Onana. Newcastle trigger press. Turnover

- Lack of 1v1 quality out wide increases predictability

🔄 SWITCH TO 5-4-1 MID-BLOCK IN 2ND HALF - More compact. Less-penetrable - Added mobility from Mainoo

❌ OVER-DIRECTNESS IN POSSESSION CONTINUES

Amorim's initial setup was poor and handed Newcastle both goals. United also lacked clear ideas of what to do in possession, probably a result of the lack of training time which Amorim has complained about several times.

As Amorim himself mentioned, United's players have also thrown away principles that were seen in earlier games. Lack of training time, poor physical state of the squad, and players' lack of fit with the new system have resulted in United's terrible form. https://guillaumevdw.substack....

Low physical levels lead to technical inconsistencies. E.g Mazraoui and Mainoo in recent games

With more time on the training ground, improved physical levels, and new signings that fit the system, United can get back to where they should be. That won't be easy though, and certainly won't happen overnight. So for now, United fans have to sit tight and ride out the storm.