Okay now I think im getting your point.a bit. The gap I'm referring to is in the build up this season. The design of that being your deeper midfielder and CBs can draw the press allowing for passes into the high 8s or attackers who will have more space to receive the ball as well as being able to match up in terms of numbers. Which we saw a lot this season with Bruno and when Kobbie was playing as an 8 both being ahead of the play with Casmeiro sitting much deeper(drawing complaints that there is a gap that we struggle to progress through). You'd see Dalot popping in that gap from time to time and Mainoo or mctominay dropping in that gap from time to time. When Martinez is in the team you also see him popping into that gap. When I say that gap I'm referring to the vacant space around the deep midfielder and between him and the 8s. All of that is similar to what Ten Hags Ajax would do. Some of this is standard amongst some managers e.g. the fullback popping into midfield, whilst the size of that gap is pretty unique to Ten Hag as seen at Ajax. Now saying that the tactic is similar to Ajax doesnt mean its being performed to the level of Ajax, which it clearly isn't due to in my opinion Casemiro and the none Martinez CBs not being suited to it.
Where I think you are referring to, and correct me if I'm wrong is the gap when we are being transitioned? Which I believe you are saying is due to the two 8s trying to outnumber the opposition in the final third more aggresively than Van De Beek and Schone did at Ajax. Which I'd agree partially with as the 8s for Ajax did get into the final third but not as aggressively as someone like Bruno, however Bruno has also this season been more restrained in getting into those attacking positions as seen by his stats.
However the overarching point is a lot of the way we play, or attempt to play, you can see in previous Ten Hag teams.
