Read on Twitter
To get a different perspective of our side, I looked back over both games to analyse some areas for improvement within United’s play
Pressure on the ball - United use a 4231 out of possession. An issue that arises that if pressure isn’t applied by the shape (e.g. moving forward together to keep the line up & press) then it can be opened up with large spaces behind. Here Romeu almost found KWP in the box
United do well in the 4231 to force the ball wide, into safer areas. However pressure isn’t properly applied by the team & Palace work the ball back into the middle quickly. This goal was marginally ruled offside, showing how slim the margins are when this almost goes wrong
Support in wide areas - When United buildup they tend to use wide areas to then get into the final third, mainly from the left. AWB is unable to find a pass back inside because his closest players are slow to arrive, this was made worse by Southampton’s high press on the day
TFM also faced the same issue despite receiving facing the field. He has to play it back to Maguire because the midfield dont readjust quick enough, leaving him few safe options to progress the ball
Accessing the final third - United struggled to move through the thirds because of 1) excessive touches and 2) poor connections of the final two phases of buildup. The visitors noted this & put their MF in the opposition half, this paid off as they scored from a Pogba mistake
Here we see United trying to excecute one of their patterns of play but because the midfield is slow to push up, they arrive too late to stop a counter once Rashford can’t find Bruno who is too far ahead. Palace are unopposed between the lines United should be using
Stopping counter attacks - United are generally good at winning duels & loose balls but stopping teams from breaking is a big issue. This stop united sustaining attacks & forcing opponents to use their energy defending rather than attacking. Far too often teams break easily
Again, United fail to counterpress effectively which results in palace having an effort on goal. An alternative to pressing is delaying, forcing an opponent to slow down allowing you to regroup. By doing neither swiftly, Palace can turn defence into attack
It is important to recognise & praise the good work we produce but is it equally important to recognise areas for improvement as the two are usually linked
