Manchester United’s rollercoaster season took another turn with a thrilling but shaky 4-3 defeat to Chelsea. While the final score suggests an entertaining affair, the Red Devils’ performance exposed vulnerabilities in Erik ten Hag’s tactical setup....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Here, we delve into two key decisions by the manager that arguably contributed to the loss.
1. Leaving The Flanks Exposed:
Ten Hag opted for a more attacking approach, deploying a narrower formation with wing-backs instructed to push high. This undoubtedly yielded some success, with Antony and Garnacho causing problems down the flanks.
However, it left United vulnerable to Chelsea’s pacey wing-backs, Maso Gusto and Marc Cucurella. Time and again, Chelsea exploited the space behind United’s wing-backs, creating dangerous overloads and putting the Red Devils’ center-backs under immense pressure.
2. Lack of Midfield Control:
The midfield trio struggled to contain Chelsea’s creative hub of Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez. United’s midfield lacked a ball-winner, allowing Chelsea to dominate possession and dictate the tempo of the game.
This constant pressure on the United backline eventually resulted in defensive lapses that Chelsea capitalized on…CONTINUE READING>>
