In this video, Sam runs through exactly what the 3-1-6 system is and why Mason Mount & Andre Onana are two key pieces in making it work. This is the evolution of Ten Hag's system at United and it is one that will take this team up another level.

Finally someone who understands ten Hag! You see it right, this is ultimately where ten Hag wants to go! High on the pitch with high intensity, forcing the opponent to always run backwards to defend! Completely agree with your analysis!

When the youngsters were playing yesterday you could see that they already had the system drilled into them

After so long, it's finally a season I have high hopes for.

the fact mainoo was playing as a single pivot is fkin crazy. Sure its pre season against leeds he most likely ain't ready against the top teams to play that role but him as the future casemiro replacement is gonna be so good. Has to be above mcfred in the pecking order

I'm really can't wait to see mason ,Bruno , casemiro midfield

I think if we sign Onana we’re also gonna get to see the 2-3-5 shape making it difficult for the opponent to press because of Onana’s line breaking passes….full backs will both invert next to a Casemiro to overload the midfield

This explains even more why Shaw was played as a center back last season. Gearing up for the shift in formation! Ten Hag has a long-range plan. Love to see it!!!

Reminds a lot of Pep's 3-2-4-1 formation in possession. This just shows the similarities in the way Pep and Ten Hag think as coaches but also shows how differently the two coaches play

Quality content Mate. Keep them coming

Thanks for this, liked and subbed.

So let me get this straight. ETH took us to third and won silverware without using this system that he wanted to and for what he is known for? The man is a genius. Really looking forward to the coming season. Great work Sam, that was really well explained. Now we can start to see why he has brought in the players that he has and the players he is trying to get.

EtH doesn’t use 3-1-6 formation primarily. Every formation that EtH and other elite managers use depends on the defensive formation or shape of the opponent. For example, 3v2 when pressed by 2 forwards; 2v1 when pressed by 1 forward. Then you get to the midfield. EtH wants to create overloads or match the opponent in midfield. That’s why you see some United forwards drop in midfield. Once the ball is progressed to the final third, you see midfielders pushing up to create overloads as well. So what I want to highlight is that, formations are fluid. It’s depends on which phase we are with the ball and the number of opponent players; as well as whether we are in offence or defence. You view formations into 2 ways, offensive formations and defensive formations. E.g. if the opponent uses a 4-5-1 formation, our response will be 2-3-5. 5-3-2 vs 2-2-6. 4-3-3 vs 3-2-2-3 box. I hope my contribution helps

Thanks Sam for this kind of video.

Great content, subbed!

Keep up the great work mate, great analysis

Thanks Sam, I'm Takudzwa from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼, Strong Utd supporter ✌

I know how important it is to play the system that ETH wants us to play but with players coming in that fits his style of play and with some academy talents we need to shift some tactics when we play certain teams. We should have a look at our neighbours, for three seasons or so , Pep showed persistence in his system but he was not getting that kind of game against certain teams the way they are set up, look at last season City, we saw them holding and defending the lines as well and we know what were the results of that. The man management is crucial for the next steps because AWB still needs that confidence in the attacking areas, I don't doubt him for real. We have Lindelof too who has a magnificent long pass and Lisandro who can play it out from the back. Luke Shaw is in his prime i believe, we can suit that midfielder switch which our manager wants.

I love your tactical knowledge and explanations. I love your channel for that!

Explained very well. Thankyou

Great vid sam well done 🙌

Love these videos Sam. Really makes me get a bit deeper understanding of the tactics of ManU. Your enthusiasm for ManU is contageous🙂

You doing a great job Buddy💪😎🏆

Thank you for your detailed video. It must take time to make such a video.

Thanks for making it simple

Reminds me of the shape of Brighton under De Zerbi

We will still use the 433 when we don't have the ball, the 316 is only when we have possession

Great video Sam!

Man utd really needs to sign a CDM and a CF.Amrabat and hojlund then man utd will upgrade massively and be stronger for next season.

Great explanation 🔥

God bless you, man. This explanation is such a delight and clearly represents the plant EtH has for us. I have GIANT expectations of this team, I feel that all of them are on the same page regarding mentality, style of play, and ambition. This is the year, remember this comment lads!

I think these is quite relevant and needed for our goal ratio

I have a lot more hope now seeing this, the system once implemented with the right pieces maybe what transforms this to the new level. Also I'd assume Shaw goes forward while AWB gives us more assurance at the back with 1v1s, also why he brought in Lisandro on the left side of the 3.. true genius really!

If we get Onana. The Rihanna & Drake song - what’s my name? should definitely be his chant. Ooh na na, what's my name? Ooh na na, what's my name?

So, looks like Ye Olde W Formation and just add an inverted wing-back. Excellent explanation Sam, thanks.

Brilliant insight and overview! I think this may be why he wants an additional high-energy DM. Mainoo will get his chances to display his talents!

It’s also cool catching ip on the live stream then getting the video right after .

i really love your sessions

Brilliantly explained

So 3-1-6 vrs 4-1-4-1 then :) Of course, as you point out, it's not so simple as having a well drilled formation. You also need the players with the physicality and skill set to make any formation work.

I just watched the last video of this lol love the vids

Excellent tactical analysis Sam

Good explanation. Makes sense. Let's if it works.

Sam greatly explained man thanks

Thank you sam and all the other man utd youtubers who gives a tactical breakdown of how we play so everyone knows how to beat us. Cheers 🙄😂

this system is going to do bits with Onana's distribution and same for Suzuki the young lad we've been linked to cant wait to see it

Love this

Can’t wait for this season honestly!

Very well explained. Thank you. You have to admit though that Mason and Bruno will have slightly different roles. Bruno will be the more attacking of the two.

Mount Bruno for long range having Antony and Rashford on the Flanks and Hojlund in position.... Bissaka falls in to push Antony. Splendid 🎉🔥🙌

Sounds gid 🙌

Nice video

Spot on analysis. Martinez will need to cover for Casemiro when he steps out of position to cover the spaces vacated by the wingers and wan Bissaka on both flanks

I completely agree this is how we line up this year. The one thing I still say is that with the inverted FB and more bodies in the centre of the field, a good defender is going to lock Antony up. Sancho is such a better option in this attack. Clever give-and-go’s, can go outside or inside, two footed and passes and shoots.

Love it

Spot on about the 316 system , keep on the good work mate Ten hag knows whst his doing with this team we need new owner & deadwood out

That is why signing Mount was so important. Ten Hag wants to play with two advanced number 8s like he did at Ajax & in Bruno & Mount he'll have that. Both work their absolute bollocks off press well have endless energy with Casemiro mopping up infront of the back four. That is why it's so important to sign Onana aswell as he'll allow us to play a high line which allows us to press higher up the pitch our CB's pushing up to support Casemiro. Gonna be very interesting to see.

Ya this is great at home but we seen what happened trying to play this away last season we got hammered in most of our games

Excellent presentation . Think the owners might think they have a new Sir Alex

Thanks. That was really clear and your manner is simple and straightforward without trying like so many podcasters to be Mr. Football cool guy. Much appreciated

In a 3-1-6 Wan Bissaka is not well suited to going forward. That's why ten Haag is interested in Frimpong. Frimpong would fit playing with Antony very well.

Sam I think we will change completely this season with a ball playing goalkeeper We are going to use onana, varane ,Martinez a the 3 at the back

I'm just wondering if Shaw is not much better going forward than Wan-Bisakka. Also, this new system may make the midfield really exposed for very good teams like city and liverpool, to take advantage of

I think that this formation is great while attacking but when the other team gets the ball because our players are unable to retain it or the passing is not upto the point the other teams hurt us on the counter attack

With this formation varane will get caught out aaaaa llllot, when a team counter attacks. Just as we saw with leeds, when they countered varane couldn't deal with it. Hannibal came in clutch but not every situation will have a hannibal. And this could be the biggest issue next season with this formation.

Great breakdown! But I would prefer Shaw to cut inside rather than AWB because Shaw is much more good in attacking than AWB and AWB can stay in the back 3

We need proper squad rotations with the right players.. Love to see more younger players and mix of experienced players in the squad. Not expecting everything to fit right away but with ETH at the helm we all look forward to bring back the glory days!

Mount is a perfect signing for us

You also forgot to say that we can go long as well here because having one player in the middle invites the press and leaves the people in the advanced position free hence going long, a la De Zerbi. Which is why he's getting rid of the Mario Bros in Fred and Scott so that players like Sofyan Amrabat can cook in those deep positions, pinging passes left, right and centre with ease while also covering the ground.

Morning Sam

It could change now due to onana joining with his distribution 3-2-4-1 is a better option for man united and push martinez into midfield alongside casamero and play mount further up with Bruno and play a high press possession game

Good video, clear tactical analysis well explained. It's well seen how Harry Slab Head could never fit into such a system given his lack of mobility. This is why he needs to move, square pegs do not fit round holes.

We still need 3 more signings after onana... We need a CB, CDM and a complete striker

I agree also but I think against good teams we will be open to counter attacks

You were comparing défense vs attack phase in the beginning?

With bissaka's defensive abilities,i don't think anyone better than him as the 3rd defender in the 3 1 6

Bro but we can replace RB to Dalot for better cross and for long-range shots ?

i dont see many triangles in thid formation for a possession based aggressive approach..plz tell ur comments and help to understand..it doesnt seem triangles which help in penetrations

The first part of the video where you look at the 4-2-3-1 and the other systems, you are looking at defensive shape. The 3-1-6 is when we have the ball, attacking shape

Yea i think that system will stun most of the teams to be honest. BUT BUT BUT!! I got a huge problem with this analyzing video, WHY! is Höjlund in the tactical set up? He is not close yet to come to man utd. BUT i could be wrong. Fabrizio Romano said the Italians want 85 million for him. Maybe you know more than i do this far. But other than that. The analysis is very good on the system.

Great video. I love AWB but his days are kinda numbered despite his improvement. Unless he can mirror shaw on the opposite side we will be unbalanced. Hope he can though!

If we’re playing a 3-1-6, it’s to bad we weren’t able to get Frimpong. He would have excelled in this formation.

system looks great but I am worried about the lack of defensive cover. still no Maguire cover for example.

Theres a bit of muddling in this video, youre commenting on us using the 4231 last season, which is true, but that is only our defensive shape, when in possession we did see a 325/316. expect more of it this season, but our block shape will still remain a 4231/442

Much better than playing the back passes and having no midfield press. Looks good moving foraged.

Please consider that there are 4 moments of the game and formations change in these 4 moments across different thirds. If you want more likes like you're requesting for, you should consider doing a video across thirds and what they do in and out of possession.

Alvaro Fernandez really impressed me 👏

United still needs a striker that can make good use of long balls...and also be a good presence in the opposition's box.

Everyone made fun of Casemiro when he came to united... look how much that changed... It's the same with mount, he will deliver!

Swap bisaka for dalot and yes good system, bisaka good one vs one defender but having him as a overlapping full back won't work terrible going forward and never improves in attacking plays

In the new system,Casemiro will show us why he’s called the TANK ❤

Just want to see Casemiro Bruno and Mount playing together

Is Hojlund pretty much agreed now but we will have to wait until after the tour?

i don't think you're wrong about us moving to the 316 shape, but the images you chose were misleading: the 4231 you pinpointed was an out of possession shape, while the 316 is a build up shape. they're not really in direct conflict, and we didn't really build in the 4231 like you showed.

I'm curious about why modern teams obsessed with pressing and winning the ball immediately? I mean it's so risky to play a really high line with so many players going forward, if your opponents are teams that capable to going out from the press like Man city, Barça, etc.

As a Red Devils i'm happy af since he arrived. He know what he's doing. When he arrive MAN UTD is a completely trash team with no coordinate, in other simple words are that they play football without any strategy or the strategy itself didnt apply to each player. But when ETH arrives, first he fixed the Defense because at that time MAN UTD's defense is a complete 4-times a month weekend Football Comedy. Imagine the underperformed Lindelof and the GOAT Mag. 😂 Yea ETH fixed that with Varane and Martinez who really top class. Martinez has to be mentioned, he seems like the ones who brought back the energy MAN UTD needed back so much, the spirit of the badge. It's not just some club, it's MAN UTD. A legendary English FC. Then comes a top class CDM to adds up a strong based Defense across the field. And the guy was Casemiro, very very performed and execute his work perfectly. Since then, Man Utd doesn't play like a school boys anymore. The team's passes, movements and build up attacks are becoming more and more coordinated and their chemistry with each other becoming better. Then comes in Antony to build up extra force on the RW. With Antony, ETH already built the plan to fix the Attacking of the team since the Defense already quite strong already. Then the development of Antony is quite complicated, not just like all other people saying he's flop or what. Professional footballer can't just play based on how they wants to play, cause it's the manager's decision of how each player has to play, or develop. Each player has their own quality so that overall in the team is strong. Antony was not bad but not very good as well considering his price, but that doesnt matter cause what matters is he is a team player. Then comes the important of Wan Bissaka, to be side by side with Antony. They both have to be like best friend on the field because ETH's tactical formation. AWB will be play up front on the left field (advantage cause it became extra player on the field), it will be shaped 3-1-6 formation when the team controls the possession. On the LW we have Rashy who his best position is on LW, as well as Garnacho. So doesn't have to bother LW. As for LCM, ETH just got us an overall having quality in ball control, can hold the ball and dribble into empty spaces right front, and also can scores. That is Mason Mount's resposibility i believe and i'm sure he's fit for the task. A ST, yeah sure we haven't had top quality and reliable striker since RvP. But first has to fix the GK, so yeah right now Onana already arrived. Onana's arrival really really the most important here cause he will secure from the backline, has the footwork and ball control ability as well as accurate passes. He completes the formation but not yet finished the whole plan. It's then striker's turn to fill in. Today, right now we just got Hojlund. Not hyping but this kid is really the last piece of what Man Utd missing right now. A striker who has ability to link up with teammates, very good physically and he also understand the assignment of how he wants to play. He won't be like Haaland, Haaland is a more to physical and goal poacher mastered. Hojlund's gonna be different than him. Hojlund's gonna be a ST who drop down a bit and plays the ball, llinks up the play, running inside empty spaces, and the most important thing is to become the ONLY best finisher in Man Utd and that last one gonna be hard for him knowing his team relies so much on him to bag in the goal since the whole squad doesnt have a really clinical and reliable finisher. Rashford aint no striker. Hojlund, his playing style suits ETH's really well. So right now let's just hope he delivers the job handsomely and then again we might have a chance to see a new Generation of Man Utd who might as well be a top team who at their own time, every other team fears of them. Cause right now Man Utd squad looks young overall and lets hope not much injuries occur. Right now Sofyan's in radar. He's perfect for Man Utd as Man Utd's Defense's based on somehow physically. Right now all of our backs have strong physical. With the arrival of Sofyan it's gonna be a fortress. Thank you ETH!! We understand you, and you knew the assignment really well you did it perfectly step by step! Massive Respect ETH, AND THANK YOU!! ❤❤❤

After getting onana ...I feel getting Frankie de Jong is the best thing to do.. he can sit behind get the ball from onana and distribute...we don't have any holding midfielder as good as de jong

Omg❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

Great analysis. But I am not well confident about Wan Bissaka being fit into this system. Dalot would be better.

luke shaw's attacking ability is great while awb's defensive ability is great , dont u think that shaw should move forward and awb should stay in the back 3 , would be the perfect combination i guess