“Why do you need 3 left backs at the club”. Me looks at the team playing without a left back because they both basically died at this point😂😂

I love the idea that Ten Hag has been playing 4D chess this whole time.

To think of it, our summer targets for this season were Kim and Pavard. Pavard was the exact right sided Wide CB option. Look at how he plays at Inter. So, this could be a possibility. Yaa, ETH has made really poor choices tactically this season but the insane mismatch of profile in our squad act like shackles which one manager has to break free from, and that could only be done by overhauling the squad. Maguire, McTominay, Evans and Rashford aren't bad players, but they are bad players "collectively" for us. How can Maguire's skillset compliment Licha's? How can we have 2 CMs who are elite in transitions but the other wants to hold onto the ball and keep possession. HUGE mismatch. Look at Arsenal or Man City, their CBs have all similar profiles, ALL!! Saliba is world class, Kiwior isn't but the "profile" is same. If Dias is injured, Ake wouldn't do as good as him but again, he is "similar" to him. Tall, strong, comfortable on the ball etc. We go from Martinez to Evans, HUGE difference. So, obviously the tactics have to be altered because only an idiot would play Evans in a high line. If not ETH, any other manager has to outlast these players and build a proper squad where players are bought based on technical and physical skills who "compliment" each other, not go behind commercial names!! A manager can't fall off from his 1st season to the 2nd like ETH, so it's obvious there are firm reasons behind it.

“Why do you need 3 left backs at the club?” I don’t know. Maybe because ones been missing all season and the others been missing almost all season. Maybe that’s the reason.

Extremely hard to implement at the moment as the current squad is tactically limiting outside of a mid block circa Ole era. Need a clean slate squad to be honest if we want to switch from overspecialized counterattacking to modern possession based team or we'll perpetually be stuck in the cycle.

Mainoo and Joao Neves in that double pivot would dominate football 😍😍

Much needed positivity great vid

lol, kindda makes sense; teun koopmeiners, ederson, drewsbury hall are all 8s not 6s being linked to united

I'd 100% agree! I have also been mentioning this in a lot of group chats on FB.. It'd be nice to see someone else join Hojlund up top and personally I'd prefer to see us go for a player like Evan Ferguson more than Sesko, as Evan is a boyhood United supporter just like Rasmus, so both would play for the badge! Sesko would purely be coming for the money.

That makes perfect sense with the way we press and attack. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 bravo AJ

This guy AJ needs more followers , special guy for the united community

….And look at the number of managers using a back-3, Alonso, Inzaghi, Amorim, potter, tuchel,etc. even if ten hag gets sacked we will have ready made squad for any of these managers. Edit: also Hojlund played in 3-4-3, at Atalanta. Also, it kinda makes sense when you look at market availability, solo DM, complete FBs and lone no9 are both costlier and rarer to find, whereas market is full of good CBs, no 8s and inside forwards.

I think Ten Hag wants to set up his back 4 with all CB like players. City and Arsenal have been doing this. Guvardiol, Ben White, Tomiyasu, etc. all were trained as CB but are playing as fullback now. These are all versatile players that are really strong on defense but also good on the ball so they can join the attack as well. And look at what Akanji (who is a CB) is doing for City! Of course, the formation will be flexible and depends on the phases (for example It will look like back 3 in the buildup). But I hope ten hag has his own original idea instead of being a copycat

Nice video AJ, the more flexible we can be the better

I'm SO glad you picked up on this cause I've been thinking the same recently! I really think we would be better in a back 3. And I think things will click. If we do, Sancho will be PISSED if he leaves 😂

This changes everything i have thought about next season....let me restart again😂😅

I also agree with this because when we have the ball in poessesion ETH inverts dalot and pushes one of the 8s up higher which does create that box midfield we regularly see, secondly having another hybrid 8 like wieffer or onana could allow a lot of rotation as we know ETH loves.

Nice video, City also play a similar way we just need a no 6 and we might see Licha step out like stones does for City. Todibo with his pace on the cover.

Great video! I really like this, hopefully we can implement it next season. It would solve so many problems, although it would also challenge football IQ of our current players to make this shift.

ETH actively explored the possibility of a similar tactical approach at the start of the season. Shaw/Dalot tuck in and form a 2 DM pair, but IIRC Shaw doesn't adapt well to the new role. Amrabat also did something similar in his makeshift LB games. So, I think yes. It is always his plan.

Also to challenge in the premier league doesn’t always require a traditional 6 which is what arsenal and city will have you believe with their robotic football. Two 8s can work being both good on progressing the ball and one being athletic enough to cover the space if the back line don’t step forward which they should be.

I think that would also suit Wan-Bissaka as one of the three centre backs. He can purely focus on being one of the absolute best 1-v-1 defenders without any attacking respinsibility.

I never understood why we spent last summers money for Mount until I saw this video. It makes sense. Ten Hag (man utd) is just having the most difficult season in terms of fit first team players. And I think we would have seen these formations playing out had he had his full squad. Great Video. Very helpful and understanding

spot on! with the current meta of football, seeing that he tried using it multiple times & him being a positional play coach similar to pep & arteta, it all makes sense! this could so be the case just maybe with different rotations to suit the players & profiles-frimpong & todibo, for example. comparing into how we all predicted, last season, that he will bring onana this season for a tactical change-for him to play an the extra cb role-tgis could also be the case!

I like positive people like you, creating a strong team you have to start afresh, with time things will get better

Ultimately it’s a bit of a trend in football at the moment. Guardiola arguably plays four recognisable CBs as a matter of preference, with three in defence in a three, and one in midfield. It wouldn’t surprise me if Ten Hag wants to do similar. We aren’t privy to the conversations taking place within the club. For all the speculation in the newspapers about United being in the market for a new coach, it may already be agreed that EtH gets another year and transfers to completely transition United into this version that he has wanted all along. Martinez and Malacia are his only defensive acquisitions; he has had to play defenders that he never truly chose and the defence has had to adopt a structure that reflects the reality that they aren’t suited to playing precisely the way he wants. Off topic. Maguire has quietly had a good season for United. But his best moments are those where he says “fuck it” and starts carrying the ball himself from defence into midfield and more often than not, beyond! The opposition seem to panic when he does it and begin to back off. I see it happening and it really drags us forward. As maligned as he has been with captaining the side during a lean period, as well as having noticeable form dips, I’m impressed by his application this season. Bruno will probably get our player of the season, him or Dalot, but Maguire can arguably be seen as our most improved performer.

I believe that was the plan for this season but due to injuries and a lack of proper profile of players. He’s had to ditch it. Hopefully he get the opportunity to sign the right players and play it to full effect.

The game I remember us using a back 3 system by default was our 3:0 win over palace this season in the caraboa cup and only for us to switch to a back 4 and lose 1:0 the next game

Sounds like a good idea tbh, we don't have to spend too much to bring in more players and it can get the best out of what we currently have. Issue with Frimpong is would he want to move from a team already in CL and just won the Bundesliga to one that might not even make it to a European competition?

What Mount in the pivot with mainoo ? He did this in pre season. Still need another player in the pivot. It’s an asymmetric back 3 very fluid team and should help with the vertical play, transition and counter press

Makes a lot of sense! Would love to see this. So looking at a summer of trying to get RWB, LWB, RCB, CM, back up striker. Definitely achievable! Sprinkle in a couple of young up and comers and blood in another 1 or 2 youth. Is it all just hope?

This is the first valid explanation I've seen as to why the players do the things they do on the pitch this season. I've always believed ETH is not a bumbling fool and the club appears to be backing him all the way. If he set out his stall early on and told the club this is what we need to do and its gonna take a while to get the squad in the right shape to do it, then this all makes sense. Players who are not showing adaptability, workrate and grit (needed for a system that relies so heavily on positional awareness like this) are outing themselves this season as players to be moved on. Think Rashford, Casemiro, AWB etc. Good players for sure, but AWB cant adapt, Casemiro has no legs left and Rashford isnt showing the confidence to be that left sided forward. It also explains Mount, ETHs repeated use of Antony (who I think will possibly become a LWB) and his trust in players like McTominay. It all makes sense. Please be true

Always thought this. I think we played like this in the league cup against Palace, some of the best football we’ve played all season

Bravo on this one. That desk looks mint, just need the Sherlock Holmes hat and monocle! In all seriousness, this back 3 idea could easily work. I just hope the traditionalists amongst the board and the fans don't shun it without giving it a chance. Hope United go after Adarabioyo and/or Lucumi in addition to Todibo if it will be a back 3. Can't trust Shaw to play more than 30 games in a season.

I think also Antony as a LWB is a shout coz he has played there a lot

Seeing this analysis has made me consider now that yes he probably does. But the options to move to afford, depending on who we are up against and of course, the state of our injuries thanks to the horrible medical department as it stands. It would require a clean out of players not just From a tactic standpoint, but very much a mentality standpoint…I think we all know who we’re talking about too

Wow it make a whole lot of sense

Thank you!

Sure up our defence, two decent players in every defensive position, and then it will all fall into place. You see every time we have a fully fit first choice defense we are solid. Look at last year and even this year for the short period of time we did.

And the managerial candidates United looking at are Southgate and Potter who play 3 at the back which incredibly makes sense now

I feel the signing of Mason Mount is the one most intriguing. He was the very first deal United did last summer. For a player on the last year of his contract, United went all out for him with 60mil. And then the No. 7 shirt. Surely ten Hag knows the gravity of this number and unlikely to give it to a squad player. All signs seem to suggest it's not just a signing for depth. Now with this theory, it makes more sense.

Good one 👍🏽

Yes ooo Like this

Why we need 3 left backs? Cause we had 2 this season, and we played 90% of this season without a left back

Where w'd be the position of diego dalot ,he has improved massively this year and quite seems like if we dont go for frimpong and instead with dalot for that wide role (although he likes to tuck inside) we wouldnt have to face backlash if frimpong doesnt work .Also there would be position of only two midfielders being bruno and mainoo where would mount fit and also there are very less lwb in market

Looks great 👍

Ong i been thinking the same thing for long time now, the only confusion is with wingers; i dont think garnacho is currently at the level to play that foden type role and neither is rashford, but i do think garnacho will be able to reach this level soon.

Not just the u18 I watched a match where the u21 used a back 3 as well.

Yes, possibly. And that's why there's such a gap between the back and midfield. Without a proper defensive midfielder, we need to overwhelm opponents. But as soon as we do, EtH brings on defensive minded players and... well, Chelsea, Coventry, etc...

My worry with signing Frimpong (He’s not joining us if he’s smart) is that ten hag often reverts to type when he’s plans don’t workout. Then frimpong would look like a bad player because Ten Hags plans are not coming to fruition instead of playing to he’s squads strengths.

I’ve wanted ten hag sacked for a long time but with if his idea was to switch to this. It could actually work, I’d defo sell Rashford while we can tho, we do not need him in this team. And Amad could work perfectly in that inside forward position

Good strategy but we’re will players like Rashford Mount, garnacho, Mount, Antony or even Olise play in such kind of formation?

it does seem to jell abit with the lack of contract for Varane, perhaps letting go both Linde and Harry. Shaw's injuries might derail such plans tough.

Makes sense. Also explains why they were interested in Pavard last summer who can play FB and CB. Antony and Garnacho could play wing back as well. Don’t know what they would do with Marcus though.

Wow i really like this setup even before trying it send it in for ETH lol

I’m a numpty who knows nothing but… I don’t think ETH will dictate the game model and style next season. That would likely be set by the technical and sporting directors. Players would typically be recruited to fit that style and the manager employed to execute that style on the pitch??

I think the left back piece might be related to having more depth in the event that Luke Shaw has to play as a left sided CB in the absence of Martinez, but it’s very possible

I already accepted your prediction but I don't think with the squad we have in the midfield(Bruno, Mason & Maino) in my opinion this tactic will not be used for the nwxt season.

If you saw yesterdays match people with good Arial brilliance go forward from the back like Maguire and casemiro and one good ball supplier coming back at that time Erikson or Bruno

Why do we keep looking at wingers then ? Where does ETH record signing fits in here?

Interesting..🤔 think you might be on to something. This has occurred to me at times also this season but thought I was reading into things too much because I really want us to sign Frimpong 😂

We're not switching to a back 3 im sure of it, we would have pursued naglesmann or tuchel who are comfortable with that formation , but we arent so i dont think we're gonna switch formations

what abt players like Antony who ten Hag has signed but don't fit the system

Great video AJ hope it's true

How would you fit: Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund, Bruno, Olise? You didn’t mention Bruno - no cam position

Can't be a back 3, what are we going to do with Lisandro?

Hes getting a new left back because of shaws age ana also his injury state, id pick kerkez or lutons left back plus if he was switching to a back 3 hed sign more cbs n atleast 2 cdms

He is a great manager i will say he is

I'd love to see a back 3 that'll allow Martinez to step in as a regular 6 sometimes

We should be going for Konsa if we're looking for a CB

Would rather see a 3412. Bruno or mount as the CAM and having 2 wide forwards. I want to see Martinez wide left centre back rather than the middle though with shaw being competition with him since hes very injury prone. Bremer in the middle and todibo wide right. What about Antony LWB it kinda makes sense.

Forget Mount, He's no Bruno. He's a a 15 game a season guy if lucky. Availability is the best ability !!

Makes sense tbh..... I have a soft spot for ten hag compared to the other previous managers we had and don't want to see him sacked just yet. Think he needs 1 more season, it just takes time. Fergy almost got sacked, Artetta almost got sacked and look at arsenal now! It took Klopp ages to get his Liverpool team together and look at them now aswell!

I would love to see xabi Alonso formation 3421 in MU ❤

If his plan all along was to play with a back 3 then why did he push so hard to buy Antony? Plus we're heavily linked with Olise atm. Neither fits your formation

i had this idea for at least 6 months but i dont think ten hag do such a thing he is not brave enough for this

It makes a lot of sense the more I think about it….

This does make sense, though it won't matter much if he gets sacked and the next manager wants to start over again. Though Potter won't mind, I mind. I don't want him managing.

Dude be catching some raaaaays 😎

Joao Neves is one of our biggest transfer targets. I can now see why INEOS wants him. To work this midfield with Mainoo whom he has a similar play style as. Could possibly be an absolute world beating midfield.

It might be an another clue that ETH is leaving this season, and if he does a 3 deffenders-plan specialist is coming, Thomas Tuchel probably.

If Ten Hag wanted to play this style of football and move to a back three, why hasn't he done so already? The only possible viable answer i can think of is that he didn't want teams to have the team figured out for next season and stop us. Something that happens to teams in the second year of a managers tenure/second season a promoted club spends in the prem. He'd have to explain this to the board beforehand and hope they trust him and he'd still have to muster a good enough performance under a system he knows is flawed and not how he wants to play. I've never heard of such a thing happening in football before i don't think.

If United want to play in a back 3, they may as well try and get Simone Inzaghi from Inter. They are playing fantastic football in a 352 and dominated Serie A easily this season. I do agree that it would be useful for United to have the option to change to a back 3 in some games if the tactics call for it.

A player next to mainoo could be kokcu, or if you wanna spend more you can onana from everton

Yeah it kinda makes sense🤔

A left footed 8 would work wonders in this system Rabiot preferably

Aj is talking about tomas tuchel tatics😂😂

Ten hag is not going make till transfer window because of media n fans, I’d love to see if I have faith him in him even tho stuff looking bad

Nooo, I think they just want more assurance, having had such a lack of players this season, but for a normal back 4. The team needs the width and Garnacho is our boy I don't think he'll play as a WB.

Great video, if this is true we should absolutely look at Mario Hermosa from Atletico. He's on a free this summer and even though he's old (29 in June) he's ready made for that LCB spot. He can also play in a back 4 and at LB in a pinch and is a Daley Blind clone but with more athleticism and we all know how Ten Hag loved Blind at Ajax. It probably won't happen because he doesn't fit our rebuild mentality but I think he's a great fit for what we're trying to do now and if we were to play a back 3 as well.

Excited for next season🥶

Thank you for being the best KZfaq analyst

Is not his mew tactics called the self-destructive mode?

It could also be because there’s no funds to sign another left footed center back and he wants to move Shaw to LCB. If wan bissaka is leaving frimpong will unlock his big signing Anthony. Torino is varane replacement.

The tuchel links could also link to this

Its very similar to Peps Bayern tactics actually.

But I keep hearing united aren't going for Nagelsman because he uses a back 3

I think the current setup is how he wants to play. 4 at the back with high pressing and mobile center backs capable of winning 1v1 duels with regularity. Right now there is one high pressing CB in the squad that can win duels and he's been injured for most of the season. The rest are some combination of old, slow, or better suited to simply defending their own box and heading every ball into row Z. I hope ETH gets to see out that contract. The squad looks far off... but I don't think they're more than 3-4 impactful signings away from being a legitimate threat.

if shaw is back 3 hes attacking dynamic with rash will banish. Rash has been absolutely frozen because he does not have shaw there anymore.

I bloody hope this is not true. Nobody has played attractive football in the Prem with 5 at the back - which is basically Wht a bk 3 is played as Shurely u just need a L Back coz the two we hv r just both permanently sick note! And the price point for our LB is £15-30m, not £40m for frimpong.