Erik ten Hag's game model, judging from his time at Ajax and Man Utd so far, is something like a positional-play style with lot less restriction in terms of rules of staggering/positional arrangement compared to Pep or Arteta. In particular: - EtH favors short, quick build-up with fewer number of players. The build-up structure is almost always "3-1" with 3 "defenders" and 1 "defensive midfielder". Noted: the 3 could be anyone ranging from CB, LB, RB or the DM/CM. At Ajax, Tagliafico and Mazraoui bomb forward to attack depth, the 3 was 2 CBs + Frenkie de Jong, with Schone acting as the anchoring "1". Later, if Blind played at LB, he tucked in to form the 3 with 2 CBs. At United, we often see Shaw inverting in the "3" with Dalot/AWB attacking depth, Casemiro anchoring. We may see another midfielder dropping back to form "3-2" from time to time, but it is only temporary, as that midfielder will quickly come above the ball - unlike Pep or Arteta, who established a more permanent "3-2" structure. - Thus, he creates a "3-1-6" formation in the attacking phase. The "6" obey the "Juego de Posicion" rule by occupying the 5 lanes as Guardiola used to outline - however, as there was 6 players and 5 lanes, the spare player - be it the attacking full-back or the "8" midfielder, can help faciliate triangles to help the team work out combinations, rotations, thus creating chances. Therefore: 1. EtH's game model relies heavily on the GK in build-up as his team, does not really have numerical superiority in build-up. The idea is short, quick building-up circuits drawing the opponents up high, creating space in behind OR easily working the ball forward due to the opponents already being pinned back. That's why EtH wants Onana - one may say his game model put a much heavier emphasis on good ball-playing GK than Pep or Arteta. With de Gea, the only way was to launch rockets toward Rashford. 2. EtH's insistance on signing Antony. In Ajax, when Tadic and Neres featured on the wing (with Tagliafico & Mazraoui overlapping), they would come inside to occupy the half-space. At United, as they already had an attacking outlet in the left (Rashford) and no right winger, so Shaw would be the one tucking in, Dalot/AWB overlap and United spent a fortune buying a tucked-in right winger a.k.a Antony. 3. EtH signing Mason Mount. With Casemiro already at the club and Mainoo showing ability to play the anchoring "1" role in pre-season, there is no need to sign a deep-lying, say, Carrick-type midfielder. He needs a midfielder that can come forward, be the all-action "8", a carrier, a "mezzala". But the problems are: 1. This is the English Premier League, where not only teams feature good players who can spring well-designed pressing structure against build-up schemes, they are very much willing to clatter in your face, can two-footed tackle you and get away with only a British stern warning. This means huge pressure on the GK and the fragile "3-1" structure, making United unable to fluidly building up, but can only pass around, their circuits got found out, and the only way was rockets towards Rashford and Hojlund. 2. The system also put a lot of pressure on the "3-1", not only as the build-up unit but also as the rest-defence unit. Mourinho wanted 5 players behind the ball - here we only have 4. Which might work in the Eredivisie - but in the EPL, teams have very good players running at you at 200 km/h. Thus, the 6 often get bypassed - the 4 players behind the ball must either be very proficient in dueling to win 100% of their 1 vs 1, or get dusted and it's open season; the game becomes chaotic and end-to-end like a basketball game. That's why United have such terrible away record, when teams, empowered by their home fans, exploit this on the break. Even at home, United may struggle to control and see out matches. 3. The front 6 operates in a rather loose way, which relies on rotation and third-man run, powered by players' chemistry. EtH is famous for drilling 11 v 0 in attacking, but it looks like training against cones has not worked out so far as United's players do not display good group-level attacking tactic. They do not make runs, have no idea when to combine and can only knock the ball long to the far side. Injuries has not helped...which leads to: 4. Subpar physical conditioning. The game model is very demanding as EtH wants aggressive counterpressing - especially the 4 behind the ball must be ready to constantly mopping up waves after waves of fast counter. But can it work when United players looked dejected and unfit IN THE FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON (against Wolves)? The trend continued in the next match against Spurs - after a rather good first half, United's intensity dropped off of the face of the Earth. Then players got injured en masse. This is not United players being prima donna - this is on EtH and his staff. All of this lead to poor results, which eroded players' confidence in EtH, thus leading to the Sancho and Rashford debacle. If EtH got good reason and good leverage against Ronaldo, now he has less leverage against Sancho, and can't even heavily punish Rashford as the boy IS United's best attacker, no doubt, and EtH needs him.

there's nothing complicated about the tactics. most teams that play out the back have to make similar adjustments. modern pressing has changed the game for everyone. it's the absence of quality in midfield and wide areas that have caused united problems. rashford and antony have failed offensively, and the current system does not suit fernandes at all. in midfield, the only holding playmaker united have is an 18 year old mainoo. there is a major recruitment issue at united that's the root of a lot of problems at the club. it's likely the youth reserves at united will ultimately rescue the club. mainoo, diallo, garnacho are critical to united's success in the coming days.

Great video, do you have any insight on the cause of the team's current struggles and any suggestions on what the manager should do to turn it around? Also could you make a video on pressing? Thanks and great stuff.

Great video but please reduce the volume on the background music

It's players

Erik ten hag tactics, what tactics take man. Utd. To 7th position. This is his tactics. That is so call losing tactics.

Good luck 💪 great work nut i think ten hag man u is poor coach in top 6

Hocus pocus. Can talk all u want when all the fans want to see is us controling the game and tempo, which, sadly is lacking. All we see is opponents literally bully and control us…even when we win. What style? What structure? Your talk is all wind