MadDogg
Full Member
Yep, it's pissed me off for years. The main defensive midfielder absolutely should be slotting into the defence when the time is right, but Matic does it FAR too often and it results in us basically playing with one player in midfield by themselves. I always remember that photo from a couple of seasons ago where Pogba was in midfield by himself and there were literally seven (might have even been more but it was at least seven) opposition players closer to him than a single Utd player while Matic was sitting in the defence for absolutely no reason. It makes it so difficult for that midfield player by himself, and makes it so incredibly easy for the opposition to press him when they can so easily cut off any kind of passing angle other than straight back into the defence.The thing that bothers me the most is when we have possession in defence he completely vacates midfield and stands in the LB position.
I know people will say “it’s to cover for shaw pushing forwards” but it’s a complete waste. Instead of giving us a proper out ball into midfield, he leaves his midfield partner alone. They then receive the ball and we immediately get pressed and forced to lump it.
There was also one moment last night that really stood out to me. McTominay had the ball, passed it to Ronaldo and then burst forward. It was obvious that the right play was for Ronaldo to slip it inside to Matic who should then pass it forward to McTominay. A nice little bit of interplay to get behind the oppositions midfield and into a good position. It was obvious to me, and it was obvious to Ronaldo because that's exactly what he tried to do. Unfortunately Matic decided to randomly leave his midfield position and run back towards the defence, so Ronaldo's inside ball went into open space and Burnley broke into a somewhat dangerous position.