The midfield pivot and central progression
I argue that United avoid the middle by design and pay for it: the build up shuns central progression and leaves the pivot marked out of games, while the search for Bruno's pivot partner is defined by running and support rather than receiving and carrying.
The posts
- Longform The Mainoo Problem Mainoo's value sits in receiving under pressure and turning out of it, the connector function Amorim's pivot partner for Bruno is not being asked to provide.
- Tactical analysis Amorim's build up: the fatal flaw The inverted centre-back is only part of it: why Amorim's goal-kick structure fails in a league where 47% of games come against elite pressing sides.