Varane's passing is really good. Maguire has always been rightly considered pretty good on the ball but Varane is a level above. With his superior pace relative to both Maguire and Lindelof and being better than Lindelof at defending aerial balls, he's a significant upgrade.
Regarding change of style, I can't claim to have spotted this myself, but I read a professional analysis the other day that pointed out that when we're attacking against a team with a low block, we tend to have two players covering against the counter-attack now, whereas it was usually three last season.
I've been very impressed with Varane's composure and passing. Also that neat little pass he does with his left foot.
People expect a pass from his right and he switches to the left foot. Throws them.
Team is developing, defensive midfield options are not great but if we control possession like we did for most of yesterday, we can get away with it against the smaller teams.
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
we tend to have two players covering against the counter-attack now, whereas it was usually three last season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
...I guess even with Varane's pace and reading of the game, going from three to two is still a recipe for higher risk. Maybe that's a calculation the management has made this year and they're willing to take that risk: we will be more exposed to counter-attacks, but we think we can successfully defend enough of them with the personnel we have that it's worth the risk in order to have an extra player supporting the attack (which now contains an exceptionally ruthless finisher). The Newcastle game would be a good example of that philosophy: a few times we were carved open - and punished once - but we also scored four.
We'll see if that strategy is tested by better teams / whether Solskjaer adopts a more conservative approach in those games.
I've said it many times, Varane is your key signing this season. With Lindeloff as third choice - which is what he is in reality, solid and unspectacular, you can build a solid platform. Varane is a very classy defender, defends the box well, is not slow, good one on one and carries the ball out well. He will give you something extra from the back.
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 12 minutes ago
I've been very impressed with Varane's composure and passing. Also that neat little pass he does with his left foot.
People expect a pass from his right and he switches to the left foot. Throws them.
Team is developing, defensive midfield options are not great but if we control possession like we did for most of yesterday, we can get away with it against the smaller teams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This. Varane brings a composure maguire did in parts, but with the two of them now, i feel much more confident.
Midfield is our achilies heel right now but its not like nobody isnt aware. Ive a sneaky feeling we may see a middle man arrive in the Jan window.
given that 2 of the 3 longer range goals have taken huge deflections, and that we've been chopping and changing quite a bit - varane coming in, but also 4 different midfield combinations in 5 games - i'd say we're doing ok, and you'd like to think that we'll become more solid as the team becomes more settled.
McTominay coming back is a big plus. His presence is massively underestimated I think. One of our best players against Leeds and was decent again yesterday.
Fred is one of those players I feel benefitted from empty stadiums. But he's been dreadful in all 3 away games so far this season. Someone posted some passing stats the other week which were surprisingly impressive - but what he does lack is composure in key areas and moments of the game. I don't think that's ever going to change.
Now McT is back I'd like to see him partnering Pogba in the 2 a bit more and putting one of the more direct runners on the left.
We’ve defended ok. 2 of our conceded goals have been flukes but there has also been some bad bad misses against us.
Varane seems to have made a difference in how we setup. Can't remember the exact numbers but this season we rank first in terms of how far up the pitch our average position is. Something like 45.something meters whereas every year going back 5 or 6, we were always far lower. Under Jose I think we were 12th.
That higher line is most likely due to having lace to cover now. I can't find the article I read about it now but it was pretty clear that there's been a shift this season.
I imagine McT's injury and the new additions getting used to each other will have played a part in these first 4-5 games. I expect us to solidify the defence and see more of a tactical shift over the coming weeks.
Varane has impressed, so far. Quality player and commands the box with authority.
I think the key now is for Ole to really pin down his tactics/formation and then rotate players to suit the formation.
Speaking of tactics... After years of abandoning the right flank, leaving just the RB to patrol it... We now seem to be doing the opposite, abandoning the left flank, leaving just the LB to patrol it!
Yesterday we saw Pogba coming very centrally, and on occasion, Bruno moving out to the left a bit.
Bloodred
One of the things I said yesterday about McFred is that both do really good work for most of the time but both spoil it by really careless passing. And both were really guilty of it yesterday. It is also a major flaw with Lingard.
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
Regarding change of style, I can't claim to have spotted this myself, but I read a professional analysis the other day that pointed out that when we're attacking against a team with a low block, we tend to have two players covering against the counter-attack now, whereas it was usually three last season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting. I haven't noticed it myself either.
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
given that 2 of the 3 longer range goals have taken huge deflections, and that we've been chopping and changing quite a bit - varane coming in, but also 4 different midfield combinations in 5 games - i'd say we're doing ok, and you'd like to think that we'll become more solid as the team becomes more settled.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even with a settled midfield last season we weren't great defending this area. McFred aren't natural defensive midfielders.
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
We’ve defended ok. 2 of our conceded goals have been flukes but there has also been some bad bad misses against us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's the problem when midfield don't shut that space down, you risk deflected shots.
comment by TheFoxOutsideTheBox (U20459)
posted 1 hour ago
Varane seems to have made a difference in how we setup. Can't remember the exact numbers but this season we rank first in terms of how far up the pitch our average position is. Something like 45.something meters whereas every year going back 5 or 6, we were always far lower. Under Jose I think we were 12th.
That higher line is most likely due to having lace to cover now. I can't find the article I read about it now but it was pretty clear that there's been a shift this season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Really? Seemed like a "mid-block" to me, not as high as other teams defend.
See if you can find the article.
Fred puts us under pressure constantly with his misplaced, 5/10 yard passes in positions that allow opposition to counter.
We have conceded 4 goals in 5 games in the league so far, 3 of them coming from the edge of the box. We still don't defend this area well.
**********************************
Midfield does not close down fast enough.
comment by Redastomatoes- Feels very Moyesian...cleverson forever!If he is good enough he is ready! (U12026)
posted 12 minutes ago
We have conceded 4 goals in 5 games in the league so far, 3 of them coming from the edge of the box. We still don't defend this area well.
**********************************
Midfield does not close down fast enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, as well as sometimes being out of position.
Yes, as well as sometimes being out of position.
…..
We can agree on this. It is indiscipline or poor coaching if you have your midfield two both in far forward attacking positions at the same time.
One of them should be in the holding position.
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 hour, 22 minutes ago
Yes, as well as sometimes being out of position.
…..
We can agree on this. It is indiscipline or poor coaching if you have your midfield two both in far forward attacking positions at the same time.
One of them should be in the holding position.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, one of the things that needs to be with worked on.
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Defence
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posted on 20/9/21
Varane's passing is really good. Maguire has always been rightly considered pretty good on the ball but Varane is a level above. With his superior pace relative to both Maguire and Lindelof and being better than Lindelof at defending aerial balls, he's a significant upgrade.
Regarding change of style, I can't claim to have spotted this myself, but I read a professional analysis the other day that pointed out that when we're attacking against a team with a low block, we tend to have two players covering against the counter-attack now, whereas it was usually three last season.
posted on 20/9/21
I've been very impressed with Varane's composure and passing. Also that neat little pass he does with his left foot.
People expect a pass from his right and he switches to the left foot. Throws them.
Team is developing, defensive midfield options are not great but if we control possession like we did for most of yesterday, we can get away with it against the smaller teams.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
we tend to have two players covering against the counter-attack now, whereas it was usually three last season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
...I guess even with Varane's pace and reading of the game, going from three to two is still a recipe for higher risk. Maybe that's a calculation the management has made this year and they're willing to take that risk: we will be more exposed to counter-attacks, but we think we can successfully defend enough of them with the personnel we have that it's worth the risk in order to have an extra player supporting the attack (which now contains an exceptionally ruthless finisher). The Newcastle game would be a good example of that philosophy: a few times we were carved open - and punished once - but we also scored four.
We'll see if that strategy is tested by better teams / whether Solskjaer adopts a more conservative approach in those games.
posted on 20/9/21
I've said it many times, Varane is your key signing this season. With Lindeloff as third choice - which is what he is in reality, solid and unspectacular, you can build a solid platform. Varane is a very classy defender, defends the box well, is not slow, good one on one and carries the ball out well. He will give you something extra from the back.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 12 minutes ago
I've been very impressed with Varane's composure and passing. Also that neat little pass he does with his left foot.
People expect a pass from his right and he switches to the left foot. Throws them.
Team is developing, defensive midfield options are not great but if we control possession like we did for most of yesterday, we can get away with it against the smaller teams.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This. Varane brings a composure maguire did in parts, but with the two of them now, i feel much more confident.
Midfield is our achilies heel right now but its not like nobody isnt aware. Ive a sneaky feeling we may see a middle man arrive in the Jan window.
posted on 20/9/21
given that 2 of the 3 longer range goals have taken huge deflections, and that we've been chopping and changing quite a bit - varane coming in, but also 4 different midfield combinations in 5 games - i'd say we're doing ok, and you'd like to think that we'll become more solid as the team becomes more settled.
posted on 20/9/21
McTominay coming back is a big plus. His presence is massively underestimated I think. One of our best players against Leeds and was decent again yesterday.
Fred is one of those players I feel benefitted from empty stadiums. But he's been dreadful in all 3 away games so far this season. Someone posted some passing stats the other week which were surprisingly impressive - but what he does lack is composure in key areas and moments of the game. I don't think that's ever going to change.
Now McT is back I'd like to see him partnering Pogba in the 2 a bit more and putting one of the more direct runners on the left.
posted on 20/9/21
We’ve defended ok. 2 of our conceded goals have been flukes but there has also been some bad bad misses against us.
posted on 20/9/21
Varane seems to have made a difference in how we setup. Can't remember the exact numbers but this season we rank first in terms of how far up the pitch our average position is. Something like 45.something meters whereas every year going back 5 or 6, we were always far lower. Under Jose I think we were 12th.
That higher line is most likely due to having lace to cover now. I can't find the article I read about it now but it was pretty clear that there's been a shift this season.
posted on 20/9/21
I imagine McT's injury and the new additions getting used to each other will have played a part in these first 4-5 games. I expect us to solidify the defence and see more of a tactical shift over the coming weeks.
Varane has impressed, so far. Quality player and commands the box with authority.
I think the key now is for Ole to really pin down his tactics/formation and then rotate players to suit the formation.
posted on 20/9/21
Speaking of tactics... After years of abandoning the right flank, leaving just the RB to patrol it... We now seem to be doing the opposite, abandoning the left flank, leaving just the LB to patrol it!
Yesterday we saw Pogba coming very centrally, and on occasion, Bruno moving out to the left a bit.
posted on 20/9/21
Bloodred
One of the things I said yesterday about McFred is that both do really good work for most of the time but both spoil it by really careless passing. And both were really guilty of it yesterday. It is also a major flaw with Lingard.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
Regarding change of style, I can't claim to have spotted this myself, but I read a professional analysis the other day that pointed out that when we're attacking against a team with a low block, we tend to have two players covering against the counter-attack now, whereas it was usually three last season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting. I haven't noticed it myself either.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by Don Draper's dandruff (U20155)
posted 1 hour, 20 minutes ago
given that 2 of the 3 longer range goals have taken huge deflections, and that we've been chopping and changing quite a bit - varane coming in, but also 4 different midfield combinations in 5 games - i'd say we're doing ok, and you'd like to think that we'll become more solid as the team becomes more settled.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Even with a settled midfield last season we weren't great defending this area. McFred aren't natural defensive midfielders.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 1 hour, 3 minutes ago
We’ve defended ok. 2 of our conceded goals have been flukes but there has also been some bad bad misses against us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's the problem when midfield don't shut that space down, you risk deflected shots.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by TheFoxOutsideTheBox (U20459)
posted 1 hour ago
Varane seems to have made a difference in how we setup. Can't remember the exact numbers but this season we rank first in terms of how far up the pitch our average position is. Something like 45.something meters whereas every year going back 5 or 6, we were always far lower. Under Jose I think we were 12th.
That higher line is most likely due to having lace to cover now. I can't find the article I read about it now but it was pretty clear that there's been a shift this season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Really? Seemed like a "mid-block" to me, not as high as other teams defend.
See if you can find the article.
posted on 20/9/21
Fred puts us under pressure constantly with his misplaced, 5/10 yard passes in positions that allow opposition to counter.
posted on 20/9/21
We have conceded 4 goals in 5 games in the league so far, 3 of them coming from the edge of the box. We still don't defend this area well.
**********************************
Midfield does not close down fast enough.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by Redastomatoes- Feels very Moyesian...cleverson forever!If he is good enough he is ready! (U12026)
posted 12 minutes ago
We have conceded 4 goals in 5 games in the league so far, 3 of them coming from the edge of the box. We still don't defend this area well.
**********************************
Midfield does not close down fast enough.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, as well as sometimes being out of position.
posted on 20/9/21
Yes, as well as sometimes being out of position.
…..
We can agree on this. It is indiscipline or poor coaching if you have your midfield two both in far forward attacking positions at the same time.
One of them should be in the holding position.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 hour, 22 minutes ago
Yes, as well as sometimes being out of position.
…..
We can agree on this. It is indiscipline or poor coaching if you have your midfield two both in far forward attacking positions at the same time.
One of them should be in the holding position.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, one of the things that needs to be with worked on.
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