Was watching this from the United end on Sunday.
The main observations were:
Our full backs offer no attacking width which left Trossard and Nwaneri isolated and often having to try and beat two men with a dribble. Additionally, the ball was almost always played into their feet rather than space which meant no momentum to attack. The contrast with the United distribution and attacking threat down the channels was marked and could see how much our defence panicked compared to theirs in similar situations. Things improved when Martinelli came on as he attacked at pace. He sat a bit deeper than Ethan when he came on and there seemed more of an emphasis to play into space for him and also by him for others.
Our central midfield was woefully slow in distribution. They kept the ball well but always seemed to turn back on themselves to then look up for a forward pass by which time United players got themselves well set in a defensive formation which we couldn't break down. Partey was guilty of this the most, while Odegaard seemed to struggle with directing the play. His dribbling would move slightly forwards or sideways but just seemed like trying not to lose the ball rather than of someone with any proper idea of how to instigate our attacks. United found it very easy to nullify any threat from him. Rice was constantly running into space looking to break quickly before their defence set but the midfield never tried those passes to find him.
When MLS came on for Calafiori, our attack down the left hand side disappeared entirely and Trossard became a complete non factor in the game. When Tierney came on for Partey, unfortunately there was still no improvement to that area.
Merino made no impression as a CF. His runs were ponderous and United defended him so easily. He couldn't create for himself nor looked like bringing others into play. Our attack was not even predictable, it was non-existent. Dare I say it, I would rather have Sterling there attempting to make off the ball runs to make space for our other players, than what Merino offered. Even the few crosses we put in the box had Trossard as more likely recipient that Merino.
We were susceptible to the counter far too easily which doesn't see right given how many people we leave behind the ball on an attack. From what I saw, our failure to progress the ball quickly meant United getting back into place and our defenders, particularly the full backs push up high (without going beyond our wide forwards). When the ball was eventually lost after an attempt to eventually pass/dribble forward after sidewaysball, United were able to quickly exploit the space behind the FB. Zirkzee was actually a decent outlet for them in that regard as he helped occupy whichever of our defenders who drifted out wide allowing with their wingers eagerly following up any return balls.
If we carry on like this, it will be a very difficult last 10 games of the season.
