The midfield pivot and central progression
I've argued that United neglect the centre, with the pivot marked out of games and central progression avoided, and that this is also why there is no clear role for Mainoo.
The posts
- Tactical analysis Carrick's basic positional attack has made United static A fundamentally different in-possession ideology has produced familiar output: plenty of entries into the box, few quality chances, and nowhere to run.
- 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.