Bruno-Eriksen

[mav_9me]

The combination.

 

[The White Pele]

I was about to start a thread on this but saw this one.

The Bruno and Eriksen partnership is developing really nicely. They connected for all 3 goals yesterday and they will help us go forward much more incisively this season. More often than not it’s Eriksen finding Bruno early with a forward pass and then Bruno receiving on the half turn and playing a quick ball through to one of the forwards. But we also saw with the third goal that Eriksen can make runs and Bruno can find him.

They’re both excellent in terms of their intelligence and technique. I think they also compliment each other in that Bruno can be a bit loose and play more instinctively with high risk high reward passes whereas Eriksen is a bit tighter, more composed, consistent and measured in his choice of pass.

I admit I wasn’t sure how they would fit in together and thought their lack of physicality could put too much of a burden on the DM but it’s working nicely so far. Having Eriksen available to drop deep and advance the ball is actually alleviating the strain on our DM to construct play and off the ball, whilst he is not the most athletic, Eriksen is intelligent enough to take up good positions and help the team keep a good shape. Also, Ten Hag has selected more aggressive front-foot defenders in Martinez and Malacia that can step in and do their share of winning the ball back.

It’s looking good and I think it will be interesting to watch the Eriksen and Bruno partnership improve as the season goes on.

 

[Adamsk7]

Eriksen to Bruno looks good and is certainly one of our main weapons that we are looking to deploy. My worry is that they are both a bit lightweight and this leads to us getting dominated in midfield physically, as we’ve seen in a lot of games (including the ones we’ve won) this season. That’s why Ten Hag plays McTominay in there - because he’s our most mobile and physically strong player. It’s probably also why Casemiro isn’t getting in the team at the minute - he doesn’t quite have the vision of Eriksen and he doesn’t quite have the strength of McTominay, despite being overall a good mix of both. At this moment in time I actually think a midfield of those three - Casemiro, McTominay and Eriksen, is the most likely we have of winning the midfield battle but of course that means we have to leave out Bruno who’s been getting back in to some form recently.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

We need a back up for the role Eriksen is playing right now because our other options have nowhere near that kind of creativity on the ball. Fred even fecked up a simple center ball for Ronaldo yesterday.

 

[Skills]

I'm not a fan tbh. I'd rather we have one of them on the bench.

Midfield still feels too porous at times, and we just haven't been punished for it yet. Secondly, we haven't had to chase a game yet and I'd like to have the option of bringing Eriksen on to help us do that or at least keep the pressure with his creativity.

 

[tomaldinho1]

The combination.

This is such basic thinking and, especially given we’ve seen the issues of the Pogba/Bruno midfield, United fans know it’s wrong.

That midfield, let’s be honest, was overrun for the majority of the game. Arsenal missed a lot of chances and we caught them nicely on the break twice to kill the game.

Eriksen is just a better player than Pogba for us - I get on his day Pogba is unplayable but I haven’t seen that day in yonks, if Eriksen can just have consistently good games as he has so far, that continuity is everything. Consistency is what makes great players. Add in ETH is clearly working with McT on his role in possession + Bruno is playing way less wild passes and we’re giving the ball away less and limiting counter opportunities so hopefully will concede less stupid goals.

 

[Skills]

This is such basic thinking and, especially given we’ve seen the issues of the Pogba/Bruno midfield, United fans know it’s wrong.

That midfield, let’s be honest, was overrun for the majority of the game. Arsenal missed a lot of chances and we caught them nicely on the break twice to kill the game.

Eriksen is just a better player than Pogba for us - I get on his day Pogba is unplayable but I haven’t seen that day in yonks, if Eriksen can just have consistently good games as he has so far, that continuity is everything. Consistency is what makes great players. Add in ETH is clearly working with McT on his role in possession + Bruno is playing way less wild passes and we’re giving the ball away less and limiting counter opportunities so hopefully will concede less stupid goals.

The Pogba-Matic axis we had post lockdown looked more solid than this. We just haven't been punished for it yet.

That midfield also had similar issues - Pogba was vulnerable to being pressed, and we've seen Eriksen with the same vulnerabilities. Those vulnerabilities were there when we were playing great post lockdown, and they're still their now. Just both times the results mask the underlying issues.

 

[tomaldinho1]

The Pogba-Matic axis we had post lockdown looked more solid than this. We just haven't been punished for it yet.

That midfield also had similar issues - Pogba was vulnerable to being pressed, and we've seen Eriksen with the same vulnerabilities. Those vulnerabilities were there when we were playing great post lockdown, and they're still their now. Just both times the results mask the underlying issues.

Yep - that’s why I feel Casemiro might end up alongside McT as we transition towards ETH’s playing style this season in bigger games. Never thought I’d say that!

I genuinely think at some point we’ll see a Casemiro, McT, Fred midfield as well, maybe City away, and it will be glorious.

 

[Raoul]

This is such basic thinking and, especially given we’ve seen the issues of the Pogba/Bruno midfield, United fans know it’s wrong.

That midfield, let’s be honest, was overrun for the majority of the game. Arsenal missed a lot of chances and we caught them nicely on the break twice to kill the game.

Eriksen is just a better player than Pogba for us - I get on his day Pogba is unplayable but I haven’t seen that day in yonks, if Eriksen can just have consistently good games as he has so far, that continuity is everything. Consistency is what makes great players. Add in ETH is clearly working with McT on his role in possession + Bruno is playing way less wild passes and we’re giving the ball away less and limiting counter opportunities so hopefully will concede less stupid goals.

I think the calculus will change significantly once we get an inform Casemiro playing regularly, which will make the CE/BF combination even better.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

It is definitely a part of our team that will give others fits.

Bruno is hugely dangerous in moments of transition and Eriksen is fabulous at bypassing lines and creating transitions (Martinez is also proving to be wonderful at this).

 

[tomaldinho1]

I think the calculus will change significantly once we get an inform Casemiro playing regularly, which will make the CE/BF combination even better.

I hope so - I don't think that will work against the better teams so early in ETH's tenure but at home versus midtable and down, definitely.

 

[Josh 76]

Same wavelength. Makes a huge difference! Bit like Cole and Yorke.

 

[Chairman Steve]

Once Casemiro gets up to speed, I think it’ll work much better and we won’t have to worry about getting overrun as much.

 

[sillwuka]

I'm surprised that this Axis works, very pleased.

 

[Gasolin]

Maybe there is a physicality issue, but in possession, it's Eriksen who now plays deep and not Scott. Scott is higher up to try to counter press if we are losing the possession somehow, and Bruno tries to actively be in between the lines so that Eriksen or Martinez can find him, at the very least, along with the other players.

We can still dominate the midfield is we don't let the opposition take the ball, like the first goal, or the first 15 mn of the game, etc... but I suppose there is a possibility to be physically dominated. This is where Scott may be very useful for us.

My question is now the rotation. How do we rotate that team? It's early in the season but I feel like we might need one more player to help with the rotation there.

 

[Jcrossley94]

It’s crazy the difference between Pogba and Eriksen. Eriksen gets the ball forward so much quicker, bruno massively benefitting from receiving the ball whilst the opponent is still out of shape.

unbelievable upgrade.

 

[stepic]

is Casemiro enough to be able to support both Eriksen and Bruno together? hopefully so, it's good to have them both in the team, but we can't keep being overrun in midfield as much as Arsenal managed.

 

[romufc]

It’s crazy the difference between Pogba and Eriksen. Eriksen gets the ball forward so much quicker, bruno massively benefitting from receiving the ball whilst the opponent is still out of shape.

unbelievable upgrade.

There is a massive difference when the ball is played into Bruno quick, which is what Eriksen does.

Pogba used to receive the ball, turn, turn and then after beating a man look for the pass, ofcourse, by that time the opponents have realised Bruno is free and mark him.

 

[blackhawk747]

The Pogba-Matic axis we had post lockdown looked more solid than this. We just haven't been punished for it yet.

That midfield also had similar issues - Pogba was vulnerable to being pressed, and we've seen Eriksen with the same vulnerabilities. Those vulnerabilities were there when we were playing great post lockdown, and they're still their now. Just both times the results mask the underlying issues.

Don't think so. Pogba's position awareness is so awful. While erikson is physically lightweighted, his defensive and position awareness is much better than pogba and could sometime cover key area in the middle park.

 

[#07]

I'm surprised that this Axis works, very pleased.

Gotta be honest, I'm in the same boat. I underestimated how well Eriksen would take to playing deeper and how quickly he and Fernandes would strike up an understanding.

Not just yesterday, also against Leicester, you could see how when one went the other stayed and vice versa. Eriksen doesn't just sit with the ball on the edge of our final third playing Pirlo passes. He regularly advances and Fernandes does a lot of filling in for him. Its surprising to see that come off after not long playing together. I assume an element of it is coaching and an element of it is just two good players knowing what the other will do.

This is such basic thinking and, especially given we’ve seen the issues of the Pogba/Bruno midfield, United fans know it’s wrong.

That midfield, let’s be honest, was overrun for the majority of the game. Arsenal missed a lot of chances and we caught them nicely on the break twice to kill the game.

Eriksen is just a better player than Pogba for us - I get on his day Pogba is unplayable but I haven’t seen that day in yonks, if Eriksen can just have consistently good games as he has so far, that continuity is everything. Consistency is what makes great players. Add in ETH is clearly working with McT on his role in possession + Bruno is playing way less wild passes and we’re giving the ball away less and limiting counter opportunities so hopefully will concede less stupid goals.

There is truth in this. However, its also the case that the more we win the more reluctant teams will become to try and expose our weaknesses. Yes, I know, we are a long way away from having our fear factor back. Still, the more momentum we get the less gung-ho opposition teams will be to come at us. It helps that our forwards are starting to show some kind of form. It gives opponents something to worry about if they're deciding whether to take an aggressive approach to us. If we can just get on a good run lots of opposing teams will just take the view that their seasons won't be defined by winning against United and settle for making things difficult for us. That, in and of itself, will take pressure off our midfield and defence.

 

[Kag]

There are people against this from nothing other than an ideological perspective. At the end of the day the likes of City and Barcelona have been fielding midfields like this for ages.

Casemiro will bed in nicely at the base of midfield and, in most matches, Eriksen and Bruno will work together well. They both work hard and they both cover ground. At times, Bruno will drift wide and we’ll pack the midfield with one of McTominay and Fred, but this suggestion from some that Eriksen and Bruno in tandem is a no-go is something Ten Hag clearly doesn’t believe.

Is it really any different to Scholes in midfield and Rooney at #10? I don’t recall that being much of an issue back in the day.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

I would still prefer to see Bruno rotating with Rashford, Sancho and Antony on the wings while our midfield can consist of Cassamiro, McT, Fred, VdB and Erikson. Bruno just doesn't value possession as well as others do but he could be very creative from wide areas

 

[jeff_goldblum]

On paper, having them both in midfield looks a bit fragile, but in reality the different parts of a team don't operate in isolation and weaknesses in one area can be overcome or mitigated by strengths in other areas, or by tactical tweaks. With the addition of Martínez and Malacia's mobility and aggression, we've looked more solid with this McTom, Eriksen, Bruno midfield than we did for ages playing two dedicated holding midfielders. We're also benefitting from Martinez and Eriksen's quality on the ball in the build-up, which means our midfield isn't constantly chasing after sloppy passes.

I've also been encouraged by how Ten Hag has identified different ways Bruno and Eriksen can make an impact depending on the situation. Against Arsenal we saw Eriksen play a key role in all three goals, the first two as a creative passer from deep and the third as an attacking midfielder making a great run beyond the defence for his assist to Rashford. Similarly, we saw Bruno play a key role in all three goals, the first two receiving the ball on the turn in the #10 position, and the third using his delivery from our wide to send Eriksen through on goal.

 

[glazed]

I feel like this combo would struggle agains a more physical midfield team even with Casemiro. We saw a clear sign on Sunday that ETH sees Fred as the solution in that situation and Sancho the player who makes way.

 

[DJ_21]

We’re screwed if eriksen gets injured. His quality on the ball is helping us massively. Teams will struggle to mark 2 playmakers.

 

[Zlatans Knee]

I wonder who FDJ would have replaced out of McT, Eriksen and Bruno. He is probably most similar to Eriksen but right now I am really happy that we have Eriksen. Not saying that I would not have liked to get FDJ in our squad, just that ETH is on to something with the players that we have.

 

[Idxomer]

Ten Hag is taking a gamble starting both of them in every game because he doesn't trust the other midfielders with their creativity and moving the ball forward. It has worked so far but we have given up control with them on the pitch for long periods of the last 4 games.

 

[Samid]

There are people against this from nothing other than an ideological perspective. At the end of the day the likes of City and Barcelona have been fielding midfields like this for ages.

Casemiro will bed in nicely at the base of midfield and, in most matches, Eriksen and Bruno will work together well. They both work hard and they both cover ground. At times, Bruno will drift wide and we’ll pack the midfield with one of McTominay and Fred, but this suggestion from some that Eriksen and Bruno in tandem is a no-go is something Ten Hag clearly doesn’t believe.

Is it really any different to Scholes in midfield and Rooney at #10? I don’t recall that being much of an issue back in the day.

Game has changed a bit since those days. Two up top was the norm. Nowadays teams typically play with one CF and even that player has to be involved in the build up. If Fergie was the manager today I think he'd be packing the midfield more as he did in away CL games. He'd be getting Bilbao'd a lot if he was stubborn and kept using his favoured 442.

Agree with the first bit. I think people look at Bruno and Eriksen's attacking returns and form an opinion that they are pure CAMs. In reality both are creative midfielders. It's not like we're fielding Mata in midfield.

 

[romufc]

I wonder who FDJ would have replaced out of McT, Eriksen and Bruno. He is probably most similar to Eriksen but right now I am really happy that we have Eriksen. Not saying that I would not have liked to get FDJ in our squad, just that ETH is on to something with the players that we have.

Yep, I think even if we did get FDJ, our DM issues would not be resolved. Maybe we may be better for with Casemiro being a proper DM whilst having Eriksen, Donny, Bruno, Fred who can play the 8.

 

[11101]

They work well together but I worry it leaves us vulnerable going the other way. We have not really controlled midfield in the last few games. We've got Mctominay in there to do nothing but tackle but we are going to need better than that eventually.

 

[Kag]

Game has changed a bit since those days. Two up top was the norm. Nowadays teams typically play with one CF and even that player has to be involved in the build up. If Fergie was the manager today I think he'd be packing the midfield more as he did in away CL games. He'd be getting Bilbao'd a lot if he was stubborn and kept using his favoured 442.

Agree with the first bit. I think people look at Bruno and Eriksen's attacking returns and form an opinion that they are pure CAMs. In reality both are creative midfielders. It's not like we're fielding Mata in midfield.

Rooney would often play deeper, though. Granted I used to call for Fergie to pad out the midfield myself, particularly when he played Giggs in there, but Bruno and the older Rooney are quite similar in play style, I reckon. Equally erratic and mercurial by nature.

Against the likes of City I’d like to see an extra man in there, but I’m not sure Ten Hag sees it this way at all.

 

[bosnian_red]

Having a deep playmaker like Eriksen is so vital. Every team needs a player who can dictate and play the line splitting balls from the deep midfield area and provide that link, and he's doing that for us.

Seriously disagree with people saying we are light in midfield. We aren't conceding many chances, very few clear ones, and are showing good energy and ball winning in there. Us gaining more control in games is less due to personnel in midfield and more down to just needing training on and off the ball in order to maintain more control. Time will solve that. Personnel wise a ball playing goalkeeper and a striker capable of hold up play (martial) will make a massive difference there too. The midfield personnel are capable of controlling games on and off the ball though, as is the back 4 and the wingers.

 

[Shai-Hulud]

We have become somewhat more incisive going forward. But we also give up control of the midfield too much. We've been somewhat lucky to get 4 wins out of the last 4, although, it's true that we haven't given up a ton of huge chances. I think this is significantly down to the Vartinez partnership though. Our opponents have had the ball a lot for long periods of each game, even if they haven't found the final pass or finish. So that's a bit of a worry.

Eriksen isn't the most press resistant player. It cost us against Brentford and almost cost us against Arsenal. Next time there may not be a VAR call to get us off the hook. But he is creative. We don't have quality in depth to replace that. That's another issue.

I'm curious about what Casemiro can do to increase solidity and control in our midfield. McTominay has done quite well so far, defying his own limitations, but we didn't pay £60m for a bench option. Casemiro himself has not looked fully confident or composed so far. I hope he'll settle and excel soon.

 

[bond19821982]

This is such basic thinking and, especially given we’ve seen the issues of the Pogba/Bruno midfield, United fans know it’s wrong.

That midfield, let’s be honest, was overrun for the majority of the game. Arsenal missed a lot of chances and we caught them nicely on the break twice to kill the game.

Eriksen is just a better player than Pogba for us - I get on his day Pogba is unplayable but I haven’t seen that day in yonks, if Eriksen can just have consistently good games as he has so far, that continuity is everything. Consistency is what makes great players. Add in ETH is clearly working with McT on his role in possession + Bruno is playing way less wild passes and we’re giving the ball away less and limiting counter opportunities so hopefully will concede less stupid goals.

Genuine question- what are the chances that Arsenal missed ?

 

[bond19821982]

We have become somewhat more incisive going forward. But we also give up control of the midfield too much. We've been somewhat lucky to get 4 wins out of the last 4, although, it's true that we haven't given up a ton of huge chances. I think this is significantly down to the Vartinez partnership though. Our opponents have had the ball a lot for long periods of each game, even if they haven't found the final pass or finish. So that's a bit of a worry.

Eriksen isn't the most press resistant player. It cost us against Brentford and almost cost us against Arsenal. Next time there may not be a VAR call to get us off the hook. But he is creative. We don't have quality in depth to replace that. That's another issue.

I'm curious about what Casemiro can do to increase solidity and control in our midfield. McTominay has done quite well so far, defying his own limitations, but we didn't pay £60m for a bench option. Casemiro himself has not looked fully confident or composed so far. I hope he'll settle and excel soon.

Even if it's Pirlo or Iniesta, if someone fouls using both hands they are going to lose the ball. Please stop arguing it was because of VAR.

 

[Ventura]

Bruniksen.

 

[Boondog]

Having a deep playmaker like Eriksen is so vital. Every team needs a player who can dictate and play the line splitting balls from the deep midfield area and provide that link, and he's doing that for us.

Seriously disagree with people saying we are light in midfield. We aren't conceding many chances, very few clear ones, and are showing good energy and ball winning in there. Us gaining more control in games is less due to personnel in midfield and more down to just needing training on and off the ball in order to maintain more control. Time will solve that. Personnel wise a ball playing goalkeeper and a striker capable of hold up play (martial) will make a massive difference there too. The midfield personnel are capable of controlling games on and off the ball though, as is the back 4 and the wingers.

I don't think we are weak in midfield. We actually look good there now. But the players are different than what EtH has been known for.

Frenkie's skills included great ball distribution plus he is good carrying the ball. EtH pushed for him hard so clearly that is what he had in his mind as the ideal for his midfield in the buildup and this is because a ball carrier in that position makes you more resilient to being pressed midfield. But now he has to rely on Ericksen who is not so good on the ball, but his passing is absolutely fantastic. He's basically a similar player to Bruno, where both are forwards who are not good ball carriers but rather excellent ball distributors who can also strike.

So having two of them aligned from depth gives this team a quick strike look that is different from what EtH's offense typically resembles. EtH is of course known for quick passing combinations that at times lead to scores with multiple team touches. But this looks a little different, a little more vertical where it's those two ball distributors functioning as a spine for the attack.

I don't know where this is going as the team matures together with Antony and Casemiro settling in. But it is a fascinating example of how players can make the same scheme look very different and there is no positional manager in the game that will complain about quick scores.

 

[Shai-Hulud]

Even if it's Pirlo or Iniesta, if someone fouls using both hands they are going to lose the ball. Please stop arguing it was because of VAR.

Um, except it absolutely came down to VAR. I didn't see the referee blow his whistle, did you? No. VAR had to make him take a second look. And it was a somewhat soft foul.

 

[Gasolin]

I wonder who FDJ would have replaced out of McT, Eriksen and Bruno. He is probably most similar to Eriksen but right now I am really happy that we have Eriksen. Not saying that I would not have liked to get FDJ in our squad, just that ETH is on to something with the players that we have.

Eriksen 100%. And now that we do not have FDJ, we are repurposing Eriksen into that role that he started apparently trying at Bentford. So good timing. Maybe we try again for FDJ later if he keeps being benched at Barcelona.

 

[Gasolin]

Um, except it absolutely came down to VAR. I didn't see the referee blow his whistle, did you? No. VAR had to make him take a second look. And it was a somewhat soft foul.

It's not a soft foul, you come from behind with your whole arms and take the ball, of course it's a foul. VAR just reminded the referee he missed a big one.