Read on Twitter
THREAD:
๐๐๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐-๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฆ
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ข๐ค๐ต ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ณ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ค๐ถ๐ด ๐๐ข๐ด๐ฉ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฅ
๐๐๐ง๐๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐๐ ๐-๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐๐ฆ
๐๐ฉ๐ฆ ๐ช๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ข๐ค๐ต ๐ฐ๐ง ๐๐ณ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ฐ ๐๐ฆ๐ณ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ด ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ณ๐ค๐ถ๐ด ๐๐ข๐ด๐ฉ๐ง๐ฐ๐ณ๐ฅ
Both Fernandes and Rashford were rested for this fixture, with an important game against RB Leipzig next.
However, an incredibly poor first-half performance from United meant that the pair needed to help turn the game around; they both came on after half-time.
However, an incredibly poor first-half performance from United meant that the pair needed to help turn the game around; they both came on after half-time.
Firstly, I will look at what was going wrong in the first half.
We caused West Ham almost no trouble, they were in a settled 5-4-1 block for the most part when United had the ball and we were unable to stretch their block due to two factors.
We caused West Ham almost no trouble, they were in a settled 5-4-1 block for the most part when United had the ball and we were unable to stretch their block due to two factors.
1. A lack of risk/progression in our passing.
This was partly due to our poor build-up, as VDB came into deeper areas but his main focus was to keep possession and with Pogba taking minimal risks in possession, this led to United struggling to progress into the final third.
This was partly due to our poor build-up, as VDB came into deeper areas but his main focus was to keep possession and with Pogba taking minimal risks in possession, this led to United struggling to progress into the final third.
When we did get into their third, we were unable to take advantage of the situations due to poor execution in our passing, but also because of a lack of a central presence, who looks to play forward.
VDB accessed space between the lines less so than previous appearances.
VDB accessed space between the lines less so than previous appearances.
2. A lack of directness and runners in behind
This is another problem in the first half, United lined up with Greenwood and Cavani, neither of which are direct runners, and an out-of-form Martial.
There were minimal runs behind their backline, making it easier for West Ham.
This is another problem in the first half, United lined up with Greenwood and Cavani, neither of which are direct runners, and an out-of-form Martial.
There were minimal runs behind their backline, making it easier for West Ham.
In the two images below, we can see United attempting to enter the final third - in both situations, we have just Cavani against the opposition backline. He might have excellent movement but Cavani should not be our only option in behind.
This discouraged penetrative passes.
This discouraged penetrative passes.
When United players did make runs or find themselves running at the West Ham backline, it was the wrong person for the job.
Neither Cavani nor VDB are direct runners. Cavani loses possession attempting a backheel and VDB turns back and passes, holding onto possession.
Neither Cavani nor VDB are direct runners. Cavani loses possession attempting a backheel and VDB turns back and passes, holding onto possession.
HALF-TIME
Rashford and Fernandes both enter the field for Cavani and Van de Beek.
They ultimately brought the two things that United were missing. A runner and a risk-taker.
Rashford and Fernandes both enter the field for Cavani and Van de Beek.
They ultimately brought the two things that United were missing. A runner and a risk-taker.
Fernandes started to find positions between the lines of West Ham and was linking up the play more. When he received in these positions he was instantly looking to play forward.
The Portuguese playmaker created EIGHT chances in 45 minutes.
The Portuguese playmaker created EIGHT chances in 45 minutes.
With Fernandes getting into advanced positions between the lines, this not only allowed better progression but it also allowed Pogba to move into more advanced areas in the second half.
I want to highlight Bruno's contribution to Greenwood's goal. Telles throws the ball to Fernandes and almost any other player wants to get the ball under control and keep possession.
Instead, Bruno takes a risk and flicks the ball back to Telles and he crosses to Greenwood.
Instead, Bruno takes a risk and flicks the ball back to Telles and he crosses to Greenwood.
When you have a player that constantly looks for the killer pass, it makes the forward players more inclined to run in behind.
Rashford was the main threat as he was constantly aiming to either run in behind or receive the ball and run at his man.
Rashford was the main threat as he was constantly aiming to either run in behind or receive the ball and run at his man.
Rashford's ability to run in behind became an instant problem for West Ham and was utilised many times.
Also, when he got possession, he'd not look to keep possession, he wanted to make things happen, it might not always work but it helped build momentum for The Reds.
Also, when he got possession, he'd not look to keep possession, he wanted to make things happen, it might not always work but it helped build momentum for The Reds.
And as United began to get a grip on the match, the runs from Rashford begin to become infectious. As a side, if you begin to start playing passes in behind and you have that runner, others begin to offer similar.
Bruno's run in behind led to our equaliser.
Bruno's run in behind led to our equaliser.
Ultimately, the pairing of Fernandes and Rashford turned this game around and earned Manchester United the three points.
Their assets went hand in hand, Bruno's constant attempts at playing key passes links so well with Rashford's ability to offer a run in behind.
Their assets went hand in hand, Bruno's constant attempts at playing key passes links so well with Rashford's ability to offer a run in behind.
If you made it this far and liked the analysis, Iโd appreciate any likes or retweets on the thread. :)
