Why do Manchester United struggle against packed defences
On the 6th March 2021 Manchester United travelled to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City. Manchester United were outstanding in this match as they counter attacked on Manchester City numerous of times in this match. Manchester City couldn’t cope with Manchester United’s speed and Manchester United beat Manchester City 2 nil. The reason why Manchester United played well against Manchester City is that Manchester City are a possession based team and it suited Manchester United to sit back and then break when they got the ball. Manchester United would love to play Manchester City every week because Manchester United like to hit teams on the break so Manchester City would give them that chance. Manchester United struggle to play against teams in the bottom half of Premier League because they defend well and they don’t give Manchester United’s forwards space to run at their back four. Manchester United performances against both Crystal Palace and West Ham were poor and lacked urgency to move the ball quicker. When you play a team that likes to defend well you need to move the ball quick and have a good tempo to your passes but Manchester United don’t do this which makes it harder to create a chance. When Manchester United have possession against these teams they only play in front of their defence so it’s easy to defend they rarely try to make runs in behind the defence it looks a bit predictable at times especially when they play at Old Trafford. Another problem is that Manchester United play two holding midfielders nearly every game in Scott McTominay and Fred but if you know that you are going to have plenty of possession against a opposition then Manchester United should only play one holding midfielder so this gives you an attacking formation. I know Bruno Fernandes plays in the number ten position for Manchester United but I think they should play Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role when playing a lower team so he can get on the ball more which would create more chances for the attacking players. Manchester United have improved since last season but I still think a few new players especially at the back and up front if they want to become title challengers. Manchester United’s home form this year has been poor I know that some of the performances have been down to no crowd but they need to improve their home results especially against the bottom half teams in the Premier League if they want to go to the next level. Manchester United have lost at home to Sheffield United, Crystal Palace and drawn against Everton where as away from home they have drawn against West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and Arsenal. They have been lucky to win numerous of games this season such as Fulham away, Burnley away and Sheffield United away they could of lost these games. A lot of away games they have went behind and then went on to win the game but poor starts have cost Manchester United this season both in the Premier League and in Europe. There has been times were they have missed a centre forward and if they could sign Harry Kane or Erling BrautHaaland this would offer something different to Manchester United’s attack. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer has made some good signings as Manchester United boss and if they could sign a couple of players in the summer such as defender, midfielder and striker this could be the difference in bringing Manchester United to genuine title contenders. It’s frustrating that Manchester United play so well against Manchester City and not play well against other teams I would just like for Manchester United to get more consistent in results and performances over the next year.