Manchester United are finally benefiting from one of Rúben Amorim’s crucial tactics, with Bruno Fernandes at the heart of it.
Since Rúben Amorim became Manchester United manager, fans have been treated to glimpses of beautiful football, but the results haven’t always been there. But, United are looking much more promising this season.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo’s summer arrivals have made a huge difference to United’s fortunes this season. A win on Monday night could take United as high as fourth place in the Premier League.
Despite the poor form last season, Amorim stuck with his system, and fans seem to be seeing the benefits of it now, but there have been some tactical changes along the way.
Luke Shaw and Leny Yoro – the outside central defenders in the back three – are now asked to push into midfield to support Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes without the ball.
While United will continue to evolve, Amorim is still looking to introduce some key principles from his Sporting CP side.
United finally deploy key Amorim tactic
In any side that dominates the ball, moving it from one side to the other can be the difference between scoring a goal and conceding one, and United are no different. In years gone by, they have struggled to break down the opposition, but that has changed this season because of one of Amorim’s possession tactics.
To move the ball from one side to the other, players can either play lots of short passes, allowing the opposition to move over with ease, or they can switch the ball to the other flank with one long ball.
Under Erik ten Hag, United often favoured the former and played it slowly across their backline, waiting for a gap to appear in the opposition’s defence. However, Amorim has begun to instruct his players to switch the ball and instead attack the side with fewer players on, rather than looking for a gap. The advantage of switching the ball is that the opposition doesn’t have time to move over to the opposite side, leaving a one-on-one situation between a winger and full-back.
Last season, United switched the ball 107 times in the Premier League, as per FBREF, the fifth most in the division. This year, however, the Red Devils have already switched the ball on 40 occasions; if they continue at their current rate, they will have switched possession over 30 times more than last campaign.
Bruno Fernandes has been key to the increased switching numbers. He ranks 20th in the league this season for passing distance, with the next closest United player in 51st position (Matthijs de Ligt). United’s captain is single-handedly unlocking Amad and Patrick Dorgu on the flanks, allowing them to take on their full-back one-on-one, every winger’s dream.
New tactic could unlock Šeško
United’s new switching method in possession could be exactly what Benjamin Šeško needs to succeed at Old Trafford. The Slovenian has taken lots of criticism since his move from RB Leipzig, but he has yet to benefit from frequent crosses into the box.
Šeško’s height and physicality allow him to tower over the opposition, but he needs regular crosses onto his head. Perhaps, the new switching tactic could create space for the wing-backs and give them time to put in a good cross into the box for Šeško.
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Shaw could be moved up to left-wing-back if Amorim wants to get the best out of Šeško. If he is given time and space high up the pitch, he will be able to pick out Šeško regularly and give him more chances to use his outstanding leap.
Amorim may be forced to use Shaw at wing-back during AFCON. Lisandro Martínez’s return will allow him to play at centre-back, while Diogo Dalot will be at right-wing-back in the absence of Amad and Noussair Mazraoui.
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