Breaking down mid and low blocks
My argument is that United are built to punish teams who come out at us, which is why sides that refuse the bait and wait in a mid or low block cause the trouble, and why a loosely defined final third can turn chaotic.
The posts
- Match analysis Dalot goes forward again One sequence in the Manchester derby shows how United's best run behind a set City block came from a full-back, while the centre-forward drifted away from the box.
- Tactical analysis The Carrick approach Carrick’s in-possession ideology is detailed in the first two phases and deliberately loose in the final third; the worry is out of possession.
- Tactical analysis United gone long Long passes have doubled and own-third touches have collapsed: the numbers behind United's direct build-up, and its limits against compact blocks.
- Match analysis Are Grimsby better than Arsenal? Arsenal pressed high but passively, Fulham refused the bait and overloaded midfield, Grimsby pressed man-to-man: one system, three different results.