Arne Slot embarrasses Erik ten Hag with simple breakdown of Man United’s tactics, he knew three weaknesses

Arne Slot has seemingly embarrassed Erik ten Hag with his post-match breakdown of Manchester United’s tactics after winning 3-0 at Old Trafford with Liverpool.

Manchester United suffered a 3-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon in a disappointing performance by Erik ten Hag’s side.

The Reds had an early scare when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR check, but it didn’t take long for the visitors to take the lead.

Casemiro lost the ball, allowing Luis Diaz to score, and a similar mistake led to Liverpool’s second goal just before halftime.

Although the Brazilian midfielder was substituted before the second half began, Ten Hag’s tactics remained questionable. Kobbie Mainoo was dispossessed, resulting in the third and final goal.

Speaking to the media after the game, Liverpool’s new boss, Arne Slot, was asked what tactics he believes Ten Hag has changed since last season.

He explained the change in pressing structure from United, which had some success in the opening games, but suggested that it would be difficult for United if his team played centrally through the press instead of wide.

Slot also spoke about the impact of United’s high fullbacks while in possession and how his wingers would be in dangerous positions if turnovers occurred – this is how the goals happened.

Finally, he detailed that he needed powerful midfield runners who were going to be aggressive in duels due to the buildup play of United.

“Last season, there were man marking on the midfield, and they had a press with the 7 and 11 (the wingers). So with the striker, and one of the wingers jumped with him,” he began while speaking to Sky Sports.

“This season, they are more with a 9 and 10 press, so they’re more in a 442. So that’s different, of course.

“I see them, in my opinion, working harder if the ball is being played through them, so they run more. That’s at least what I saw in their first games.

“Their style is also—this is maybe last season, I don’t remember that well—but their fullbacks, nine out of ten times, are really high, and then Casemiro comes in between.

“So, if you pick up the ball and you can keep Diaz and Mo Salah high, then you’re constantly in a one-on-one situation.

“Then you need midfielders that can run, and we had three of them today that kept running, and if they arrive in a duel, they are aggressive enough to win it.

“So that was, I think, one of the main reasons why we could win today.”

Ten Hag will have many questions to answer once the team returns from the international break, with the first game back being against Southampton.

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