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Manchester United vs Fulham Tactical Breakdown
🔺4-2-4/4-4-2 pressing structure
🔺3-1-6 build-up shape
🔺Mazraoui & Dalot movement
[IN-DEPTH THREAD]

Although there appeared to be an improvement in Man United’s press from last year, this was mainly due to the physical profiles in the XI.
Deploying a 4-4-2/4-2-4 OOP pressing shape, it is clear Ten Hag’s pressing structure will need more work.

Throughout the first half, there was evident teething issues with Man Utd’s pressing structure.
At times, there was a real disconnect between the front 6 & the backline.
United deployed a mixed zonal/M2M pressing structure but early on, Mazaroui struggled to support Diallo in the press.

Merely a few minutes later, we see Diallo gesturing Mazaroui forwards to aid him in the press.
Again, Mazaroui is late to the press, allowing Robinson space and processing time.

The superior physical profiles evidently aided United’s press.
Strong, willing runners like Mount helped to apply pressure despite the pressing structure.
However, Fulham often found the ‘out-ball’ to Lukic as the +1 in buildup.

There is a clear upside to an aggressive, front-footed press and at times, Man Utd demonstrated this.
With this compact pressing structure, Fulham’s midfield is squeezed, forcing Bassey to go long.

Manchester United reverted to their 22/23 3-1-6 build-up structure with Casemiro dropping into the back 3.
Ten Hag likes to utilise this structure to optimise the ‘central-pinning’ effect; creating open passing lanes down the channel.

Mainoo’s presence as the lone 6 pins Fulham’s pressing two, effectively eliminating the first line.
As a result of Mainoo’s presence, Fulham are forced to narrow their pressing structure, creating space in the channels.
The presence of the flat 6 across the field drags Fulham’s midfield 4 deeper, allowing United even more space and time.

With this 3-1-6 structure, central progression becomes difficult due to the opposition’s narrowing central zones.
As a result, Manchester United aimed to play around and then in to Fulham’s block, optimising those holding width.

Fulham were able to handle this LHS threat by:
- Creating numerical superiority with 2v1
- Tracking underlapping rotational run
- Cutting central passing lanes

The movements of Mazraoui & Dalot throughout the game were incredible.
In Ten Hag’s system, the FB’s are crucial in aiding buildup, utilising their flexibility and fluid movements to create openings for Man Utd.

With the initial deep 4-2 build-up, United transition into their 3-1-6 shape.
Mazraoui advances into the RHS, whilst Dalot sits on the touchline, creating width to drag out Tete.

With Mazraoui’s flexibility, at times, he would drop to join the back 3 as Casemiro acted as the lone 6.
This allowed Mainoo to advance further forward creating an overload on the LHS.

The fluidity of United’s FB’s is breathtaking.
Here we have Mazraoui, occupying the RHS making a line-breaking run behind Fulham’s line.

There were a few occasions where Dalot inverted deep in build-up, practically in the #6 position.
The idea behind this was to drag Dalot’s marker out of position to create space in behind to be penetrated.

Although United were unable to benefit of this, this demonstrates the creative licence Ten Hag allows his FB’s.

To summarise, Manchester United’s performance against Fulham had a lot of positives.
The pressing structure will only improve with slight tweaks & familiarisation of personnel.
With time, the 3-1-6 buildup structure will become more penetrative and incisive.
The movements of Dalot & Mazraoui will cause a lot of teams problems. The
However, I would like Man United to exert more control over the game-state. They possess all the necessary characters, profiles & quality, but still fail to choke teams out with possession.
Ten Hag is the man for the job.

🧵End of thread! Thanks for reading, any likes, comments and retweets are greatly appreciated!
#ManchesterUnited #ManUtd #Fulham #FFC #MUNFUL #PremierLeague

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