Quick Tactical Analysis Thread:

Saturday provided a great example as why OGS trusts certain players in certain positions and is hesitant about others (apologies for the speed of the gif).

Early on VDB sees an opportunity to get forward and takes it. (Cont) #MUFC

He pushes up ahead of the front 4 to try and make something happen. Completely vacating the middle of the pitch. You now have a large space in the middle of the field that is completely unprotected.

This is NOT Van de Beek's fault (cont).
#MUFC

OGS system encourages midfielders to push forward and get into the box when the opportunity presents itself. However, SOMEONE has to cover for you. You need players with high IQs to notice these things and drop in - it's usually Bruno. Watch how he covers Fred here #MUFC

And then he falls into Fred's position in the base of midfield until Fred gets back. Then they seamlessly switch back. #MUFC

When Donny pushes up here. No one covers this very large area of the pitch. There's no Watford players there but that doesn't matter, it only takes one run and one pass to change that. Then the opposition is running at your back line. This is how you protect your back line #MUFC

The job of falling in isn't on one specific person. It just has to be someone.

McTominay comes from the right but plants himself firmly in the RCM position, despite the ball being pretty central.

Lingard can fall back to cover. Just someone. #MUFC

The simple and most commonly used method is your fullbacks. Williams can push up a bit to be an extra RCM, that would allow McTominay to step over and guard the middle. Or Telles can tuck inside, but by the time he comes back in the screen we see he's coming from out wide #MUFC

These are things you can get away with against Watford - hence OGS being willing to try a new combination out in central midfield - but if you leave gaps like this against the top 14-16 teams in the Premier League they're going to make you pay. #MUFC

It's good to have a player like Van de Beek who looks, and has the skillset, to get forward. But if he's playing deep that requires awareness from other players to cover him.

Right now United don't have enough of that #MUFC