Will Ten Hag Ball end Manchester United's Circular Story? Manchester United 2022/23 Preview
Manchester United have become the perfect archetype for a circular structured story. Every season, they start in the same spot. New signings, great pre-season displays and huge optimism amongst the fans. Followed by mid-season struggles leading to an underwhelming end-season outcome. The appointment of Erik Ten Hag and giving him full control of the transfer business is a step in the new direction. No matter whom you support, the narrative around Manchester United is one of the most exciting of the season. How will they fare?
Tactics:
The appointment of Erik Ten Hag warrants a delve into his tactical style of play. Ten Hag believes in stretching the field to lure opposition defenders. In particular, in the games against Melbourne Victory and Aston Villa, Sancho has been seen doing this quite effectively.
While Ten Hag does like to set up players in strict zonal positions he does allow and accommodate for intuition. A few examples from pre-season include Martial dropping deep into midfield repeatedly to collect and drive with the ball before releasing to wide players or Jason Sancho luring a defender wide to cut inside and ignore his initial zone. United fans should be excited with Sancho’s aggression and urge for goal in pre-season, Ten Hag needs to unlock the beast which had 89 G/A in 103 games in the Bundesliga.
Ten Hag has also followed the off-the-ball tactics of Klopp and Ancelotti. By setting his full-backs to attack high up the pitch and trackback he looks to create a high gegenpress style. However, his purpose differs from Klopp’s. Klopp’s Liverpool press, regain the ball and quickly unleash their attackers. Ten Hag, in pre-season and with previous teams, sets out his main priority to keep the ball and let his players' intuition run and manage the ball.
His defensive style resonates with the rest of his play. Ten Hag looks to set up a compact mid-block and as stated earlier he urges his players to press and get high on the ball. It was a similar set-up with Ajax and they only conceded 20 goals last season.
Transfers:
Christian Eriksen:
This is a very smart piece of business from United- getting a player of Eriksen’s experience and talent on a free is only bound to be a net positive. Even if Eriksen’s impact doesn’t massively change United’s midfield, he is only bound to add to the team. However, there is no reason he won’t change United in a highly positive way. Eriksen’s attacking output with Brentford was at the 86th percentile, while his defending quality was 57th percentile, this is quite close to his level in 2018/19 when Spurs reached the UCL Final. Brentford manager Thomas Frank has also been quite vocal on the instrumental impact Eriksen had. Eriksen clearly still has the potential to change teams.
Tyrell Malacia:
Malacia is the perfect player to fit Ten Hag’s system. He is naturally attacking but his genetically athletic build allows for his speed and agility to be great in one on one duels- perfect for a regain the ball at all costs style of play.
However, mastering this style of play only comes with experience. Players like TAA still struggle defensively at times. United fans must stay patient with Malacia, his defensive stats in the Eredivisie were quite average (68th percentile in duels won, 34th percentile in interceptions). So in a top 5 league, one known for its physicality it is highly unlikely Malacia will be an instant hit. But this is a definite great investment.
Lisandro Martinez:
This is once again a great signing. While Ten Hag does advocate that the system is based around the players- with a team like United it is important Ten Hag set up a few of his own pieces. United are in dire need of a rebuild- Ten Hag needs to have a coherent system for that to occur. Lisandro Martinez is a great asset to ensure this. Martinez was probably the best ball-playing centre-back in the league for Ajax. Those similarities between Ten Hag and Klopp? Think Matip, think Virgil. Think of those passes into the feet of Mane and Salah. Martinez did similar things with the likes of Antony. He is also a great aerial threat with great defensive basics and a phenomenal coverage heat map.
Key Players:
Jadon Sancho:
Sancho has been prolific for United in the pre-season so far. Despite that, Sancho is a player for the ‘eye-test’ he has the talent and skill to be one of the world's best. For that just watch his goal against Manchester City last year. But can he deliver, can he be the main outlet? Ten Hag has to find that switch. Ten Hag’s freedom in letting intuition run may be the catalyst for this ‘switch’. Sancho and even Fernandes are great fits for this. Under Ragnick, Sancho may have not had that freedom.
Cristiano Ronaldo:
As of now Cristiano Ronaldo is a key player and must be despite his age and transfer speculation. If Ronaldo decides to stay then his implementation into the system is key. The uproar has been that his return to Manchester was a net negative as he interrupted the system. It is a double-edged sword because his goals also saved United from a mid-table finish and group stage knockout in the UCL. To finish as one of the top scorers in one of the most competitive leagues in the world is no joke, Ronaldo still can play but his attitude will be key. Ronaldo must be willing to put the team and manager's ambitions and intentions over his own.
Manchester United is a club that older generations chomp over. Manchester United is a club that has one of the first entries into the all-time footballing hall of fame. To elevate the spectacle that is modern Premier-League football amongst its obsession with corporate powerhouses and media uproar, Manchester United’s success will be key. Will Ten Hag ball switch the circular script to a chronological timeline towards world ascendancy?
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https://marclamberts.medium.com/tyrell-malaca-scout-report-911d35f7816c