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So, eh... United's front 4 are pretty good.
Especially with Pogba progressing from deeper zones & connecting them to games as much as possible. Something United lacked for large parts of the season.
Especially with Pogba progressing from deeper zones & connecting them to games as much as possible. Something United lacked for large parts of the season.
There was lots of "how have United not replaced Lukaku with a proven goalscorer?" scepticism after the sale to Inter, but as we can see here, goals are much more spread out across the front line. Lukaku is a top striker, but centre forwards of his ilk don't normally facilitate...
...fluidity from a lone 9 role of a 3. When playing wide or in a 2, sure, he can definitely do a job for his forward partners in that environment, but when tasked with being the lone 9 of a 3 shape, with emphasis on soft touches & consistently linking + bringing players into...
...the game; playing intricate 1-2's, fluidly rotating positions, etc. it was never going to get the best out of him, nor the forwards around him.
Martial's much better suited to the role, and the forwards & general smoothness of the attack are flourishing as a result with a more technical 9.
Especially with Pogba back to consistently connect them all to it over 90 mins. It's so difficult to withstand.
Especially with Pogba back to consistently connect them all to it over 90 mins. It's so difficult to withstand.
This isn't a bash Lukaku sesh btw, has been one of the best strikers in Europe this season in his preferred environment (by that I largely mean in a 2 shape & tasked to drive/attack channels). But United simply look better off without his profile leading the attack
Ole needs credit for the decision. In hindsight it was obvious & clear to many, but still with great risk attached considering the unproven nature (RE: consistent goal returns) of his forward options, despite the stylistic fit in relation to the attacking image he wanted.
Happy to say I supported/suggested the idea from day dot, but I didn't envisage it to be this successful (all factors considered)
[note the target figures I was throwing up in 1st image referred to only league goals, so pretty close]
![Happy to say I supported/suggested the idea from day dot, but I didn't envisage it to be this successful (all factors considered)[note the target figures I was throwing up in 1st image referred to only league goals, so pretty close]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eb1vMk_WsAEsel0.png "Happy to say I supported/suggested the idea from day dot, but I didn't envisage it to be this successful (all factors considered)[note the target figures I was throwing up in 1st image referred to only league goals, so pretty close]")
![Happy to say I supported/suggested the idea from day dot, but I didn't envisage it to be this successful (all factors considered)[note the target figures I was throwing up in 1st image referred to only league goals, so pretty close]](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eb1vaHeXkAIVr9O.png "Happy to say I supported/suggested the idea from day dot, but I didn't envisage it to be this successful (all factors considered)[note the target figures I was throwing up in 1st image referred to only league goals, so pretty close]")
[note the target figures I was throwing up in 1st image referred to only league goals, so pretty close]
The only issue was in a 4-2-3-1, you pretty much need 60+ goals from your front 4 - so when the 10s were contributing 0 output (Lingard+Andreas), it was a v.heavy load on Martial, Rashford & RW. Luckily, Bruno solves that. Output much more balanced now&goal threat is really high
And of course, the real key component is Pogba being in the side to consistently progress play from the best area & *moment* on the pitch, giving the attack the platform to flourish & do damage as central and as close to goal as possible. Lots of balls from the 'B' zone now.
