Manchester United's Tactical Adjustments: Ten Hag's Plan for Turning the Tide
Manchester United's tactical adjustments under Jose Mourinho have been widely discussed, and it is evident that his approach has changed the team's style of play significantly. The team's recent performances have been notable, with a number of key players making significant contributions to their success. In this article, we will explore some of Manchester United's tactical adjustments, including their defensive strategy and how they have improved their chances of winning games.
The Defensive Strategy
One of the most significant changes made by Mourinho during his tenure at Old Trafford was his emphasis on a more defensive approach. Under Mourinho, the team has been known for its high pressing tactics, which have resulted in many goals conceded. However, under Jose, the team has adopted a different defensive philosophy, which emphasizes possession-based football and the importance of creating opportunities for goal scoring.
In order to achieve this new defensive philosophy, Manchester United have implemented several strategies. One such tactic involves playing a two-sided formation, where both strikers are deployed as central midfielders. This allows them to create space between defenders and provide a good chance for goal-scoring opportunities. Another tactic is to focus on creating goals from set-pieces, which is a common method used by teams like Chelsea and Arsenal. By using these methods, Manchester United has been able to create numerous goals over the past few seasons, and this has helped them stay competitive in the Premier League.
Defensive Success
While the team has improved defensively, it is important to note that there have still been instances where Manchester United have struggled to score goals. Despite this, the team's defensive efforts have been crucial in securing victories. In fact, the team's ability to generate goals has often led to victories against top teams like Liverpool and Manchester City.
One example of this is when Manchester United defeated Liverpool at Anfield in the 2019-20 season. The team's defense allowed Liverpool to score only one goal, but they managed to create plenty of opportunities for themselves to score goals. Similarly, Manchester United's defensive efforts also played a role in their win over Manchester City in the 2020-21 season. The team's defensive efforts were instrumental in preventing City from scoring any goals in the game.
Conclusion
Under Jose Mourinho, Manchester United's tactical adjustments have shown great success. The team's defensive philosophy has led to many goals conceded, and they have been able to create countless chances for goal-scoring opportunities. While there have still been instances where Manchester United have struggled to score goals, the team's defensive efforts have been crucial in securing victories. With Mourinho's guidance, Manchester United can continue to improve their defensive performance and secure victories in the upcoming season.
