Manchester United thrashed Fenerbahce 4-1 in their Europa league fixture and the result had some significant impact especially on United’s record signing, Paul Pogba. United played a better game than the previous one, with pressing that was previously either invisible or nonexistent. Mata and Pogba were key in United’s free-flowing attack which came at the right time ahead of the Chelsea fixture.
Impact Mata’s trickery
Mata is always known for his beautiful movement that often causes problems for defenders. This combined with pace from Martial, and rotational movements from Lingard, saw Fenerbahce defenders lose patience and commit reckless tackles.
The tackles led to two goals from two penalties and brilliant moment from Lingard saw United romp to 3-0 with ease. All these attacks saw consistent switching of positions with Mata taking major initiatives. United with a 4-2-3-1 and Mata as number 10 are a great team to watch; however the surplus in midfield is a muddle for Mourinho.
Shaw and Darmian have distinctive patterns
It may not be of much importance, or at least seem like it but it appears that Mourinho uses his wingbacks in slightly different roles – One a wing-back and one a fullback, both, nonetheless with equal importance to attack and defence.
Shaw linking up with Martial, often looking up for overlaps hence staying slightly away from the touchline in order to run wide giving Martial freedom to drift in while Lingard stayed more inwards, giving assistance to Mata rather than having overlaps with Darmian. The heat map may help understand that better.
Michael Carrick is the key to Pogba’s freedom
A consistent specialist in passing for quite some time, but, not a player who can play every game; age is not on Carrick’s side to play games every week with ease. Carrick sat deep, often seen as the third centre-back while United didn’t have the ball.
Carrick focused more on pushing the ball onto the front four or a lurking Pogba and retained his place just behind the touchline, in turn providing reliability for the back four. Pogba was darting more often than not into the centre looking to take a pop or pass it to someone in the final third.
United must look to deploy Blind as an option for Carrick in the long run and in rotation. Either way, United must buy a defender if so, or a midfielder who can sit deep, defend and create. The former is a more favourable option considering Blind’s brilliant ball passing skills.
Conclusion
United did not employ some fancy tactic. They just did what was lacking in several games – Press. The return of Shaw as a starter was always going to be a boon and the calmness of Carrick gave more attacking freedom.
Fenerbahce were clueless and United got a good game to get into a positive vibe. United’s next opponents Chelsea are no pushovers. An in-form Costa will look to terrorise United’s defense and Kanté will be an iron wall for United to break down. Pogba’s confidence took a good turn just in time and we are in for a mouthwatering clash this weekend.
