Even with prime Casemiro and another quality defensive midfield next to him, they are still gonna struggle in this system when the 10s don’t come back and get behind the ball.
Zirkzee and Garnacho have no interest in doing that.
I posted highlights from Arsenal versus Sporting earlier in this thread. Just watch how Trincao and Goncales, the two 10s, are working their asses off in midfield when Arsenal are in possession.
If we don’t have the profiles in midfield to fit the system, then the only answer is to add more bodies in midfield. And in not taking about Maz stepping into midfield because the guy doesn’t know whether he’s coming or going.
Spot on!
When you watch Amorim's Sporting compared to United, it's almost impossible to tell that they're playing the same system. United play extremely slowly and are far more focused on positional football, even if that just means passing it around in the back five while all 11 opponents sit behind the ball. Sporting, on the other hand, play so positively and directly. They constantly utilize Gyökeres' strength and deep runs to stretch the opposition. That’s also one of Rasmus’ strengths, even if he’s just a lighter version of Gyökeres.
United, however, play in the complete opposite way—with slow buildup and a lofted ball to a striker who has two defenders on his back. And as you mentioned, Sportings two attacking midfielders are extremely active in both defense and attack, making deep runs all the time and work really hard defensive. They almost function as a hybrid between an 8 and a wide 10. As Gary Neville correctly pointed out, this system requires specialists in almost every position. We simply don’t have them.
Do we have any players who fit the system?
Who fits (maybe):
MC: Ugarte: Could see him be one of the two in midfield
RWL: Dorgu looks exiting
Maybe:
CF: Højlund: Could fit as type of player, but not sure if he is good enough
Maguire: Looks actually more comfortable in a back 3
Martinez: Could play in the left side of the back 3, god energi, but worried about his size
Bruno: He might be a fit for one of the Off C positions. Worried about his discipline in his position play both offense and defense and his general attitude. He is a good individual player, but I think it's time to build the team up around someone else.
Mount: Could be a solution on one off the Off C. But to much injured
Not sure where you fit in these players in this system:
Garnacho: He's a winger
Diallo: Exiting player but i don't think he really fit the system. Not good enough defensively to play wingback
Mainoo: Doesn't work hard enough to play MC or Off c in this system. Maybe i'm wrong?
Zirkzee: Don't really know where he can play
De ligt: Is his build up play good enough?
Dallot: Not a RWB.
Mazraoui: Not a CB or a RWB
Yoro: Don't know
The rest just needs to leave.