SOUTHAMPTON vs. MANCHESTER UNITED

02-SEP-2012 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

ST.MARY’S

Robin Van Persie got Manchester United out of trouble with 2 late goals after a fine Southampton performance gave them a 2-1 lead.

Nigel Atkins brought Jamie Ward-Prowse back into midfield for Guily Do Prado and Rickie Lambert played the lone striker role with Adam Lallana and Jason Puncheon on the flanks.

Manchester United’s defensive problems eased with the return to fitness of Rio Ferdinand and this allowed Michael Carrick to move back into midfield alongside Tom Cleverly. Danny Welbeck replaced the injured Ashley Young on the left hand side.  

Formation Match Up

Southampton’s 4-3-3/4-1-4-1 system allowed them to match up against United’s 4-2-3-1. Playing with a defensive midfielder really blunted the threat of Shinji Kagawa. Kagawa has been impressive in his first 2 United matches, but because Southampton matched United man for man in midfield they were able to restrict his influence in the game. Against Everton and Fulham Kagawa had space between the lines because both team played with 2 central midfielders, Southampton had an extra man in midfield with Schnerdalin sitting the deepest and denying Kagawa space when he received the ball. This allowed Ward-Prowse and Steven Davis to play up against Cleverly and Carrick. Southampton were positive and pressed the ball early to disrupt United rhythm. Rickie Lambert’s opening goal was a perfect example of this working, Cleverly played a ball short into Kagawa, Schnerdalin was aggressive, nicked the ball from him and this started the build up to the goal.   

United’s Left Flank

Playing Danny Welbeck from the left was a problem defensively for United. It simply did not work because his natural movement off the ball will be to move in-field; this unbalanced the side because Antonio Valencia held the width on the right hand side. When United had the ball most of their play was bottled necked down the right because they had no one to switch play to down the left from midfield. From the defensive point of view in the transition, Welbeck’s narrow positioning meant there was plenty of space in-front of Patrice Evra down the right hand side and Nathaniel Clyne did not hesitate to get forward and ‘over-load’ Evra with Jason Puncheon.

 Danny Welbeck’s narrow positioning allows space for Nathaniel Clyne to ‘overload’ the right-hand side. 

Crosses Into The Box

Southampton counter-attacked well, breaking into the space behind United’s full-backs to expose the lack of pace and sharpness United had in central defence. They also played direct into Rickie Lambert who was clever at winning free-kicks in the duels with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, but Southampton looked most dangerous and scored both their goals when they put crosses into the box. Both Evra and Rafael are small full-backs and when the ball was in a wide position the players in the box would pull to the far post to try and expose the full-backs in the air when the cross came into the box. Lambert did this for Southampton’s 1^st goal when he out jumped Rafael and Schnerdalin did the same to Evra (who slipped) to give Southampton a 2-1 lead. The body position of both full-backs for the goals did not help, both were closed facing the ball and Ferguson may consider playing Phil Jones or Chris Smalling at full-back against teams who provide a similar threat. United have now conceded 4 goals from crosses into the box, a worrying trend given the nature of the Premier League.

2^nd Half Subs

The key to turning the game United’s way was the substitutions both managers made. Nani came on for the ineffective Shinji Kagawa, which gave United more width and balance from both flanks. Paul Scholes replaced Tom Cleverly and now United had the ability to switch the ball from side-to-side and attack down both flanks. Chicarito replaced Danny Welbeck and his runs in-behind the Southampton defence helped stretch them. Perhaps it was Atkins substitutions that made the biggest difference. He replaced his front 3 who were causing United problems on the counter-attack and did not freshen up his midfield that tired, dropped deeper and allowed Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick space to control the game and make key passes. United built up enough pressure to get 2 late goals both from corners to win the game. The first from a second phase and the second when Van Persie exploited Southampton’s zonal marking heading in direct from Nani’s cross.  

Conclusion

Southampton deserved most of the credit despite losing the game. United were unbalanced, looked vulnerable to balls in the box, Ferdinand and Vidic lacked sharpness and Southampton restricted United in the midfield zone. What swung the game United’s way were the changes both managers made from the bench and Van Persie taking his chances in open play when they came.            

MANCHESTER UNITED vs FULHAM

25-AUG-2012 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

OLD TRAFFORD

Sir Alex Ferguson handed home debuts to Shinji Kagawa and Robin Van Persie. Rafael replaced Nani who did not even make the bench, Anderson came in for Paul Scholes and Ashley Young replaced Danny Welbeck, Wayne Rooney was dropped to the bench allowing Van Persie to start.

Martin Jol played Matthew Briggs at left-back in the place of the injured John Arne Riise, the rest of the team remained unchanged from the side that beat Norwich City 5-0 the previous weekend.

Early Goals

Fulham took an early lead from a well-worked set-play in just the 3^rd minute of the game. With United set to defend a cross, Ruiz pulled the ball back for Damien Duff who lost Ashley Young and converted from 10 yards out. It took United just 7 minutes to equalise; Patrice Evra’s shallow cross from the left touchline was beautifully diverted into the goal on the half volley by Robin Van Persie.

United Control

Fulham played with a 4-4-2 shape without possession and retreated behind the ball allowing United to retain possession in front of them under little pressure. They kept their defensive lines compact denying space for United to work the ball through them centrally. United’s approach without the ball was different, they looked to win the ball back early, pressing Fulham high up the pitch forced Fulham to play long balls forward and when United won the ball created opportunities to counter attack  with Fulham’s defensive lines disorganised. Fulham really struggled to keep possession in the 1^st-half, United dominated 69.4%-30.6%. Is this high tempo pressing game a new approach from United who traditionally have been a team that retreats and recovers their shape before trying to win possession back or was it simply a reflection of the energetic team Sir Alex fielded?

The Flanks

With Fulham compact through the centre of the pitch, United’s most creative area was from the flanks, particularly down the right hand side. United worked the ball from side to side and both full-backs Patrice Evra and Rafael made good overlapping runs to support Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia. Ashley Young on the left did not have a particularly productive game despite getting into good position’s he had no successful dribbles and only produced 6 crosses, Valencia on the right carried a much bigger threat producing 14 crosses and linked very well with Rafael. Valencia would often dribble the ball infield dragging Briggs narrow which would then create space for Rafael to make runs forward or for Shinji Kagawa to move into from his central position. Perhaps United targeted the right flank more often because the young and inexperienced Matthew Briggs was playing for Fulham at left back. United went in at half-time 3-1 up after Kagawa finished a rebound from Tom Cleverly’s shot after a corner was cleared and when Rafael headed home at the back post from Ashley Young cross in the second phase of another corner.

2^nd Half

United continued to probe and move the ball from side to side in front of Fulham and still produced lots of crosses and good wing-play on the flanks, but Fulham grew into the game after Martin Jol made a tactical switch in the 62^nd minute. He took off Alexander Kacaniklic and put on Steve Sidwell, moving Damien Duff to the left and Bryan Ruiz to the right, creating a narrow 4-5-1 formation. This system did 3 things, it gave Fulham more control of possession because they had more men in the central area, it allowed Moussa Dembele more freedom to move forward and create things further up the pitch and it also encouraged the full-backs to make overlapping runs which forced United wide men to recover and track the runs deep, this meant when United did win the ball back their wingers would be in a deeper position in transition and less of threat. Matthew Briggs put in the cross from the left which was put into his goal by Vidic after a mix up with David De Gea to make it 3-2.  United’s pressing also dropped off a little but the possession stats in the 2^nd half show Fulham were in the game more with United only just edging it 52.1%-47.9%, a significant shift from the 1^st half.

Moussa Dembele

He was Fulham’s and perhaps the game’s best player. He has been converted into a central midfielder and he seems to have grown into the role very well. He can break play up (he made 8 tackles more than any other player), he can beat a player (he made 9 successful dribbles more than any other player) he can pass (3 key passes, 96% passing accuracy, better than any other player), he is strong, he is quick and he could be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. Fulham will do well to keep him.

Fulham’s system helps them regain control of the game, by getting extra players into the central midfield zone.

Robin Van Persie

He scored a wonderful goal that really show cased his brilliant finishing ability in the penalty box. His movement off the ball is good too, he can drop deep to link up with the midfield and wingers and he can make well timed runs in-behind the opposition centre-backs. If United keep control of games they will make chances for him and he will score plenty of goals.

Conclusion

For 60 minutes, United were very good, they played at a good tempo, pressing Fulham early, moving the ball quickly side to side and they carried a good threat down the flanks, particularly the right. They controlled the game and deserved their lead, but Martin Jol tactical change in the 2^nd half swung the game Fulham’s way and United lost their grip by conceding a silly goal from a harmless cross. This meant the game became a bit nervier than it really should have been given United dominance for 2 thirds of the match.

                   

MANCHESTER UNITED vs. SWANSEA

07-MAY-2012 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

OLD TRAFFORD

This was essentially 4-4-1-1 vs 4-2-3-1 which means there were a lot of individual battles taking place.

After his disastrous team selection against Manchester City Ferguson made 3 changes to the side that underperformed badly at the Ethiad Stadium. Valencia replaced Nani, Ashley Young came in for Ryan Giggs and Chicarito came in for Ji-Sung Park with Danny Welbeck missing out injured.

Swansea played their usual system, 4-2-3-1 after Rodgers experimented with a 3-4-3 diamond last weekend against Wolves. It was pretty much his usual starting 11 with the only surprise being Mark Gower started ahead of Leon Britton in midfield.

United press Swansea early

United are a team that usually like to retreat and keep their shape in a deep position. This does allow the opposition time on the ball, but given Swansea ability at keeping possession and perhaps United's need for goals they played a more positive approach particularly when Michel Vorm the Swansea goalkeeper had the ball. Swansea like to build play from the back and Ashley Williams and Steven Caulker split very wide to create space in midfield for the likes of Joe Allen.

 

When Vorm had the ball, Chicarito would often close him down with Rooney and Valencia picking up the centre-backs Williams and Caulker. This often forced Vorm to go long because Carrick or Scholes would also follow Joe Allen deep to stop him picking up possession. United were very effective at stopping Swansea building possession deep and actually scored their second goal as a result of winning the ball back early.

United patient with possession

Swansea’s approach was to allow United possession and in the 1^st half United had total control because they won the ball back early to stop Swansea building play and Scholes and Carrick had time on the ball to transfer the ball from side to side. Swansea were very compact and Rooney rarely found space between the lines unless it was on a counter attack. With Swansea deep and compact, United's biggest threat was as ever down the flanks, Ashley Young had a good game against Rangel and delivered some excellent in-swinging crosses but Swansea defended them well with Ashley Williams in particular impressive with his clearances. On the other flank, Taylor matched up well to Valencia but the United winger got the better of him once to penetrate and his pull back found Carrick whose shot was deflected in by Paul Scholes. The goals gave United a lift and the speed of their play was good before half-time but the result of the City game had an effect on the confidence of the players and after half time the atmosphere and performance went flat and United did not look like a team that believed they would be champions.

Sigurdsson and Britton stabilise Swansea

Sigurdsson is a key player for Swansea attacking play because he is an extremely clever player who likes to play between the lines. United when they play 4-4-2 are vulnerable in the space between defence and midfield and because Swansea were unable to get Sigurdsson on the ball often enough in the 1^st half he was very ineffective because when he did receive it Smalling was very good at leaving the back line to close him down. Swansea were much better in the 2^nd half with the introduction of Leon Britton for Mark Gower. Swansea were able to keep the ball better and get Sigurdsson between the lines and he started to create chances for Swansea when he turned and could move towards the United defence. This is reflected in the passing stats of Gower and Britton. Gower made 33 passes but only had a 79% success rate, Britton made 27 passes but had a 100% success rate, he did not give the ball away once in the 2^nd half.  

Conclusion

A good 1^st half performance by United but half time came at a bad time because just when United started get some confidence and lift from the crowd and some joy with their positive pressing approach Swansea were able to re-group and the introduction of Leon Britton helped Swansea keep the ball better under pressure in the 2^nd half. The game went flat in the 2^nd half with the realization that the title is now very much City’s.

“In the second half Swansea slowed the game down and made it difficult for us to get the ball back. They’re good at that. That’s their main defence: they keep the ball and they keep it for long periods and it’s hard to get it back off of them.

“They deepened and passed the ball back to their goalkeeper, who’s a fantastic user of the ball. They killed the game that way.

“If we’d scored an early goal in the second half we would have fired the crowd up, fired ourselves up and made them doubt themselves a bit. But we didn’t get that early goal and the game petered out.”

MANCHESTER UNITED VS LIVERPOOL

11-FEB-2012 BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE

OLD TRAFFORD

Sir Alex sent United out in their usual 4-4-1-1 system with the combination of Svholes and Carrick in midfield and Ryan Giggs playing from the left wing.

Kenny Dalglish sprang the biggest surprise leaving out Craig Bellamy and Charlie Adam in favour of Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson. Luis Suarez returned as the lobe striker in the place of Amdy Carroll in a 4-1-4-1 system.

Giggs vs Johnson

Ryan Giggs has been used as a central midfield player this season, so to see him lining up on the left wing was a surprise. Giggs is no longer a pacey wide player who holds the width, he drifts inside and plays in central postions. Giggs moving infield had two impacts 1) United could play around Jay Spearing better 2) Glen Johnson had room to move into attacking postions, he arguable had Liverpool’s best chance in the first half when he had room down the right-flank to dribble at the defence and shoot just wide.

Midfield

It was technically 3v3, but United controleed the game for two reasons. 1) Giggs coming infield allwed United to play around Jay Spearing who was playing as the defensive midfiled player trying to stop Wayne Rooney get space between the lines. This made 4v3 and gave Scholes and Carrick plenty of options to play incisive forward passes and short retaining passes when United wanted to keep possession and build the play up. 2) Liverpool’s shape did not allow them to play forward and get support around Luis Suarez. Kuyt stayed wide right and Downing stayed wide left, Gerrard and Henderson did not really get in behind Scholes or Carrick an area where Manchester United are weak defensively. Both team did not really press the ball either, but because United got players into better attacking postions they were able to be more incisive with their passing whilst Liverpool’s build up was slow and sideways alot of the time.

2^nd Half

Despite United loking the most threatening Liverpool did restrict their actual chances to score. Paul Scholes had the best chance of the 1^st half but in thight games the 1^st goal is always important and United got the opener straight after half-time from a corner. Before the game settle into a pattern United scored again, Jay Spearing showing his limitations in the deep role got caught in possession by Valencia on the edge of his own box and United had an easy counter-attack to make it 2-0 with Valencia feeding Rooney who finished through Reina’s legs in a 1v1.

This forced Dalglish to make changes, Downing for Bellamy, Carroll for Spearing and Kuyt for Adam. Liverpool went 4-4-2 and whilst this did lead to an improvement, United should have perhaps killed the game as Liverpool were now and open team between the lines with no holding player, but as Sir Alex pointed out his team were too concerned with retaining the ball instead of trying to kill the game with a third goal which is a dangerous approach. Liverpool nicked a goal from a poorly defended free-kick and could have gone on to get a draw. 2-0 can be a dangerous score line.

Conclusion

United played well for most of the game, they passed the ball well and carried a good goal threat, Liverpool’s set-up kind of handed them the platform to control the game. 4-1-4-1 left Luis Suarez isolated and easily dealt with by Ferdinand and Evans, in midfield their passing lacked incisiveness and was too safe and Jay Spearing was easily exposed.