How does Dyche’s 4-4-2 OOP differ from Nuno’s at Forest? Nuno’s press resembled more of a 4-2-4 than a true 4-4-2. Reasons for the 4-2-4 structure: 🔺Keeps 4 dangerous players high for quick transitions 🔺Reduces their running load 🔺Aims to stop central progression

Dyche’s 4-4-2 setup is similar but with key differences 👇🏻 🔺Wingers match up directly with opp FBs 🔺Front four to get reliable pressure on the ball whenever they can 🔺Wide players double up with their FBs 🔺CMs screen the back four rather than press opp #8’s

This differs subtly from Nuno’s 4-2-4 press as it was the full-backs who jumped to press the opp FBs, not the wingers. But one similarity remains: stopping central progression, with Igor/Wood + MGW cutting off access to the #6.

To break down Nuno’s 4-2-4 pressing structure - one pass could take out four Forest players. That flaw doesn’t exist as much under Dyche. His midfield four always look to face play + screen the back line, making it tougher to play through.

United exploited Nuno’s approach at OT last season despite the loss. Rotations while occupying key zones pulled Forest’s press apart it forces defenders into split-second choices: 🔺Do I stay or go? 🔺Who’s the danger? That hesitation opens space to play through.

How can United exploit Forest and gain control? A clear pattern from the Bournemouth game 👇🏻 🔺Big distances for MGW + Igor to jump and press 🔺Alex Scott often dropped into the back 3 to help build-up 🔺Wing back vs Forest winger match up

Why are the distances MGW + Igor have to jump important and exploitable? Because they’re tasked with pressing + blocking the lane into the #6. If you increase that gap, you: 🔺Tire them out 🔺Give your players more time on the ball 🔺Force Forest’s back line to drop

Alex Scott dropping into the back 3 why it was effective: It overloaded Forest’s front 2 in the first phase of the press. When the ball went to B’mouth’s LCB, MGW jumped and Igor followed Adams which left Scott free in the CM with loads of space to build and receive.

The ball goes to Semenyo who is🔝 He wins his 1v1 vs N’Doye and now Forest are retreating. That space Scott had in the 1st phase reopens in the 2nd + 3rd Small tweaks like the distances + Scott dropping got Bournemouth control and it got Scott into great areas to progress play

How can United exploit this? First option is to get Bruno picking the ball up where Scott did. Use him as the overload in build-up. If Amad beats his man like Semenyo, Bruno receives at the edge of the box , getting your best players in their most effective zones !

Amorim has already shown he can exploit a Sean Dyche pressing structure Last season , Everton carried out the same principles as Dyche’s Forest have: 🔺4-4-2 pressing structure 🔺Reliable pressure on the ball 🔺Stop central progression

Like Bournemouth with Scott, United had Martínez as the extra man in the first phase. The distances Everton players had to jump kept growing and United always had an outlet. That overload gives United control + a platform to build. If they give you an outlet …. Use it!!

United got Martínez in those same spaces Scott thrived in. Head up, multiple passing lanes open Martínez can pick any of them by the way with his quality. But with him only just back from injury, this is why I suggested Bruno taking up these positions more often.

The wide CBs will dictate how much control United have Shaw, Yoro, and De Ligt need to be proactive + make Forest pay But they lack Martínez’s cutting-edge passing which is why I’d use Bruno there Amorim did this last season v Palace

Another area United can exploit is the wing-back zone especially the blossoming Mbeumo–Amad partnership. Hudson-Odoi is brilliant but not industrious. If Mbeumo pins Neco Williams, that Amad 1v1 v CHO could be pivotal. By winning your 1v1 battle it forces Forest deep

Once United progress the ball, Amad or Dalot on the opposite side can find themselves in great space like shown below. They have to make Forest pay when they’re pinned back. They need to deliver quality crosses into the box

If United gain control + push Forest back, another option is playing Mazraoui at RCB. When chasing a winner v Burnley, the trio of Mbeumo, Amad and Mazraoui provided solutions and rotations that caused real problems. Rotations whilst occupying key zones ! 🔓

Forest are lethal on the break with Igor, Wood, MGW, Hudson-Odoi, Anderson + N’Doye. United must be cautious and alert to the threat Smart fouls and solid rest defence are key to stopping these counters. Forest’s players are built for transitions!

Another angle to this game is that the Forest fans loved Nuno’s transition game. At the City Ground there’ll be no groans when they defend deep, no anxiety. The crowd thrives on transitions ! That’s huge for Dyche. United need to stay alert + switched on at all times

This is a big game for Amorim. He’s got all the tools to dictate build-up + control the game, forcing Forest back. 🔺Make MGW + Igor’s pressing distances huge 🔺Bruno dropping in to link play 🔺Amad + Mbeumo exploiting 1v1s Looking forward to seeing how it unfolds 🔴