The role of the midfield in football is of utmost importance and often, the outcome of a match is decided by the performance of this area of the pitch....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
This is why the first major moves made by Erik Ten Hag upon his appointment as head coach at Manchester United was to reinforce the team’s midfield.
The additions of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro were aimed at improving the team’s performance in the middle of the field and elevating their overall play.
Eriksen was key to this improvement before he was injured but Marcel Sabitzer could very do much of what Eriksen has been doing all season. But for the purpose of this analysis, we will take a look at United’s midfield before Eriksen got injured.
The double pivot of Casemiro and Eriksen has been a game-changer for Manchester United in the deeper build-up play. This tactical move has resulted in a noticeable improvement in their build-up play, even when compared to the beginning of the 2022/23 season.
Coach Ten Hag’s approach to possession has been more practical, opting for efficiency over domination. He has made sure that his team makes the most of the time they have on the ball, and this has been made possible by the contributions of Casemiro and Eriksen.
Casemiro, known for his defensive prowess, has provided a much-needed security blanket in the deeper build-up play. During the build-up, the risk of mistakes that can be punished by the opposition is high, but Casemiro’s quick reactions to a misplaced pass or heavy touch from a teammate have greatly reduced this risk.
His presence in the midfield has been invaluable, as he is able to intercept opposing attacks and start a counter-attack for his team.
The relationship between Casemiro and Eriksen has also been a key factor in the improved build-up play of Manchester United. They have a strong understanding of each other’s movements and this has enabled them to pre-empt the actions of their teammates.
As a result, the passes between players are more accurate and effective, leading to better build-up play. The center-backs, Raphaël Varane and Lisandro Martínez, have also benefited from this improved understanding, as they now have a better grasp of when to play into midfield and when to bypass it for a more direct pass forward.
Another important aspect of Manchester United’s improved midfield performance has been the integration of Dalot and Wan-Bissaka into the midfield and Fernandes into the mix.
This has added to the team’s cohesion, allowing them to overload their opposition’s midfield. With Fernandes in the center and Dalot or Wan-Bissaka moving inside, United now has a midfield four that can create opportunities and dominate the midfield.
The signings of Casemiro and Eriksen have been instrumental in the improvement of Manchester United’s performance in the midfield and overall. The team’s cohesion, efficiency, and cohesiveness have been significantly enhanced, and they have become a formidable unit when playing through the midfield.
The double pivot of Casemiro and Eriksen has been a major contributor to this improvement, and their relationship on the pitch has played a crucial role in the team’s success. With this solid foundation in the midfield, Manchester United is now well-positioned to take on any challenge and continue to succeed in the coming seasons.
