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United's need for a DM
Topic Started: Oct 24 2011, 05:08 PM (1,345 Views)
Monty
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I'm a naughty boy
http://thefootballnet.wordpress.com/

The role of the defensive midfielder has in the past been seen as a rather unfashionable position, but over recent seasons, they have become and pivotal part in the success of many of Europe’s leading teams.

Manchester United are perhaps the only major team not to play with a recognised central defensive midfielder. Sooner rather than later this will need to change, as the game, particularly on the continent, evolves into a more possession and tactical based affair.

Sir Alex Ferguson has already described his team this season as being “too open”, and new recruit David De Gea has made the most saves out of any goalkeeper in the Premier League. It is not normal to see a team such as United concede as many chances as they have so far this campaign, and I think a lot of that can be attributable to the lack of cover their defenders are being offered by their midfield.

On average, Manchester United have conceded a whopping 19 shots per game this season. Contrast this with their title rivals Manchester City and Chelsea who have conceded 11 and 10 respectively.

As well as offering cover to the centre halfs, the defensive midfielder is also responsible for covering gaps left by attacking full backs, who themselves have become very important part in the way teams attack. Patrice Evra has come in for a lot of criticism over the past two seasons, and since Cristiano Ronaldo has left the club, he has been given far more licence to attack. Without that key player in defensive midfield, United are very often left without any cover for Evra, and therefore badly exposed at the back.

In the last two Champions League finals, Lionel Messi’s role in the centre of attack has been the key. It was rather unexpected that he would play there in 2009 and United failed to adjust their system to deal with that as the match progressed, but they again failed to deal with him in 2011. Not that there is any shame in that, Messi is unplayable at the best of times, but Manchester United seemed to have no plan for it, which is unforgivable.


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The above example is Barcelona’s first goal in the Champions League final. As you can see, Messi is highlighted in the hole between defensive and midfield, and the Manchester United player closest to him is left back Patrice Evra. This is clearly not where you would want your left back to be positioned, but a position you would expect to be occupied by a holding midfielder – but because there is none here, Evra is force to come infield and mark Messi. The goal comes directly from this as Pedro (Between Evra and Vidic) scores because of the space left by Evra at left back.

There were also similar problems in Manchester United’s first game of the new season at Wembley in the Charity Shield against rivals Manchester City.


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In this example we again see Patrice Evra drawn into the hole between defence and the midfield as David Silva is in an acre of space. Silva then receives the ball, and pokes through a pass between Rio Ferdinand and the empty space again left by Evra for James Milner (highlighted) to run on to and have a shot at goal.


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In this second example, Yaya Toure dribbles unopposed from inside his own half 10-15 yards before playing a through ball to James Milner, who is then fouled by Patrice Evra to give City a free kick in a dangerous position. As we can see in the picture, Michael Carrick is the only midfielder in the centre of the pitch, and he is unable to close Yaya Toure down without leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the park.

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In this final example from the Charity Shield, Edin Dzeko (highlighted) receives the ball again in an acre of space and is free to turn and charge towards goal. Vidic is forced to decide should he leave his position at centre back (leaving a massive gap) to close Dzeko down before he gets the shot away to make it 2-0 to Man City.

Despite crushing Arsenal 8-2 at Old Trafford, one of the weakest aspect of United’s midfielders - their inability to track runners off the ball - was exploited by Robin van Persie for Arsenal’s second goal.

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van Perise (the eventual goal scorer) and Theo Walcott are running unopposed in United’s midfield after they are caught on the break, which leads to a second Arsenal goal.

The numbers game can play a big part in midfield when you play 442 such as United do, especially when the tactically unaware Anderson is selected. Here against the mighty Basel, Anderson is slow to get back and Carrick is out numbered.

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The mass of space in the centre is again very evident here, with two players unmarked, the highlighted player receives the ball and Basel go directly on to win a penalty and score their third goal of the evening.

Anderson
The nature of the 442 formation requires that both central midfielders be defensively sound, and Anderson hasn’t dealt well enough with the responsiblity that has been placed on his shoulders this season in that regard. Yesterday he had his worst game of the season.

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In the first shot, he is too far across the pitch, and from a simple throw in, both central midfielders are taken out of the game and Wayne Rooney is left to chase back after David Silva. In the second shot (moments later) Balotelli (who is by the touch-line in shot one) is now on the edge of the box about to slot home the first goal and Anderson has failed to track him.

Ferguson’s Tactical Challenge
Sir Alex Ferguson said yesterday after his worst ever defeat that this will be a challenge for him. And I believe it will be a difficult tactical challenge. The squad of Manchester United is assembled primarily with the focus of playing the 442 formation in the sense that there is no defensive midfielder, no real attacking midfielder and an abundance of strikers.

The last three Champions League winning teams have all contained top quality defensive midfielders, and if Ferguson wants his United team to lift the trophy once again then that is what he needs to add to his squad.

Edited by Monty, Oct 24 2011, 05:09 PM.
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ZeeZoo
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Turd Burglar Extreme
451:-
-------------DM--------------CM/Deep-lying playmaker------
-----------------Rooney/Sneijder---------------------------


That would solve our problems, sadly I can't see many world class DMs available and I can't see Ferguson rectifying the error.
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Jeffers
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Ginger Prince
so basically 3 new Midfeilders then ZeeZoo :lol:

A DM and Modric would be perfect, Ando/Fletcher can play as the 3rd man against the big sides
"I don't play against a particular team. I play against the idea of losing." - Cantona
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Monty
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We need a minimum of two tbh. The ones we have at the moment are virtual no hopers. Andderson is clueless and Fletcher has been terrible for over a year now.
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ZeeZoo
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Carrick is a shame but atm is disastrous, given up on Anderson & Fletcher has been terrible for a while now. We don't have a DM, Sneijder would be a much better option for the AM & Cleverley will probably the 3rd midfielder.
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UwesGrandad
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El Mago
I'm sure there were at least 2 other good examples you could have used Dimi ;)

Been saying this for a while that your defence would be exposed by a good attack.

I think Fergie will spend in January and if he had any sense he'd ship Anderson, Fletcher and Carrick out...

...i obviously hope he doesn't :thumb:
Will be keeping Cech in my pocket for the next 3 months. Thanks Pedro :thumb:
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Monty
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Yeah but there wasw no point in using them when Rooney was playing CM from 1-0 onwards.
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tebroc
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cracking post monty.
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SuarezWasNotRacist
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monty's bitch
This actually makes me wonder... is Michael Carrick our best midfielder?
Man Utd's 2017/18 club sponsors:
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Monty
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VivaRonaldo
Oct 24 2011, 05:57 PM
This actually makes me wonder... is Michael Carrick our best midfielder?
:cry:
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ZeeZoo
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VivaRonaldo
Oct 24 2011, 05:57 PM
This actually makes me wonder... is Michael Carrick our best midfielder?
Don't worry, Wes will be coming :(
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BALLBAG
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MOVE !!...Im Head Boy !!
Class post

Yea I do think United could use two new cms now. Or one top dm even while Cleverly beds into the cm role. There is not alot of players out there that would fit in at united for the dm role imo. They could go for someone like Javi Martinez of course but he is more box to box. The likes of him and Banega would be good options but are they good enough for united and will they fit into that role ?
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Monty
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Dimitar
Oct 24 2011, 05:57 PM
VivaRonaldo
Oct 24 2011, 05:57 PM
This actually makes me wonder... is Michael Carrick our best midfielder?
:cry:
Although Carrick wasn't even on the bench yesterday...
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UwesGrandad
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El Mago
Dimitar
Oct 24 2011, 05:57 PM
VivaRonaldo
Oct 24 2011, 05:57 PM
This actually makes me wonder... is Michael Carrick our best midfielder?
:cry:
:lol:
Will be keeping Cech in my pocket for the next 3 months. Thanks Pedro :thumb:
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thefieldsofanfieldroad
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“The trouble with referees is that they know the rules, but they do not know the game.”
great read that monty :thumb:

although i dont 100% agree with it because i dont think its a lack of dm thats causing the problems. first of all you have not had your main centre backs together much, theres no settled pairing because of injuries. this is not got going to help you much especially when you have a new keeper who doesnt speak the lingo.
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