The enormous rebuilding project that Erik ten Hag has before him at Manchester United has already begun. Tyrrell Malacia has already been signed by the Dutch manager, while contracts with Christian Eriksen and Frenkie De Jong are getting closer....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
Given that players like Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, and Jesse Lingard have already left the team on free transfers, this midfield appears to have a new look.
The 4-3-3 tactical system used by the ex-Ajax Amsterdam manager stresses hard pressing and is based on Juego de Posicion positional play. The system Pep Guardiola uses at Manchester City is exactly the same as this style of play.
Specific players are needed for the 4-3-3 Jeugo de Posición. A single base pivot and two offensive number eights, often known as interiors, can also assist in defense through a counter-press immediately following the loss of the ball while lowering into a mid-block if the press is avoided.
Although it is obvious that De Jong and Eriksen are the top candidates for the interior positions, a base midfielder is still required. Certain abilities are required of the single pivot.
Ability to escape from a press, cover a lot of ground, advance the ball, and continue the attack to help keep the ball in advanced areas of the field and win it back.
The available center midfield options for Manchester United are all unfit for this position. While Scott McTominay and Donny Van De Beek are more suited to a double pivot role, Fred lacks the discipline to play that position.
The single midfielder position is hard to come by on the transfer market since teams that play it like to lock up their players and only sell them when they can get a high price. Aurelien Tchouameni was acquired by Real Madrid as proof of this.
But Wilfred Ndidi, a Nigerian midfielder for Leicester City, might be Erik ten Hag’s final piece of the midfield jigsaw. For a few years now, the midfielder has been among the finest in the Premier League.
In case double pivoting is required, he is also competent at playing single pivot. Ndidi effortlessly covers a lot of territory and can start a counterpress when necessary.
Although he needs some work, Ten is undoubtedly a manager who can help him with his ball carrying and press avoidance.
