Solving the Low Block Puzzle: Tactical Adjustments for Manchester United

Walters_19_MuFc

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It has become increasingly evident over time that we tend to perform better against stronger, possession-based teams that play on the front foot. These teams often dominate possession, allowing United to sit back in a low or mid-block and exploit spaces on the counterattack. This tactical approach suits our current squad's strengths, particularly when transitioning quickly with pace and precision.

However, when facing teams that sit deep in a low block, we struggle to show the necessary attacking impetus and creativity. Breaking down such defensive setups demands a different approach—one focused on patience, intricate play, and technical proficiency in the final third.

Players like Hojlund and Garnacho, while talented, are heavily reliant on space to thrive. When playing against compact defences, their effectiveness diminishes because they lack the room to exploit their pace.

In midfield, pairing Mainoo and Ugarte provides defensive solidity, but it raises concerns about creativity. Neither player is naturally inclined to unlock rigid defences, which limits the team’s ability to dictate play and create meaningful opportunities.

There is a clear need for additional players who can help United dominate games against low-block teams. Specifically, creative midfielders who excel at breaking lines and controlling tempo are essential. Inside forwards with the ability to cut inside, combine effectively, and operate in tight spaces are crucial. Equally important, however, are dynamic attacking wing-backs who can reach the byline, deliver accurate crosses, and provide an additional presence in the attacking third to create overloads and stretch the opposition’s defensive shape.

With the current squad, what team setup would you use to play against low-block teams? Similarly, what approach would you take when facing possession-based teams?
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
Amad played against Southampton, and whilst he was arguably our only threat in the first half, it wasn't until Amorim made personnel changes that we looked better as a team.
Click to expand...

I was joking but actually, while Zirkzee was excellent when he came on it was moving Amad to the inside forward position and switching Antony to the LWB position that changed the game.
 
Brains and technical ability is the solution.

Not many of these players have both.

Until that is resolved this team will always struggle to break down teams that sit in to defend.
 
It’s the constant puzzle for us. You can argue having a midfield with the likes of Eriksen is the answer for his creativity, but teams in a low block tend to be quick on the break which leaves us massively exposed …. I guess this is why managers get paid millions to solve and get the perfect balance.
 
  1. Stop playing 2 CDM - Mainoo & Ugarte makes us play with a 5 man defence with 2 CDM. Thats way too defensive as we are not sporting lisbon vs city
  2. Stop playing Bruno as a wide AM - linked to the previous tactic, Bruno needs to play as a midfielder to add creativity to this side from midfield. He isnt a good winger or a wide AM & it makes our attack lopsided for players like Amad instead of open and stretched. Mainoo should be used either as cover for Ugarte or against tough opposition to contain tough opposition as seen recently.
  3. Stop trying to turn Hojlund in to Gyokeres - Amorim has to tweak his tactics a bit. Sure we shouldnt suddenly be playing a 442 but a 343 instead of a 3421 is a bit of adaptability that should be considered. Amad & Garnacho look like the best forwards we have & they look better trying to score a goal rather than create one for Hojlund. Zirkzee can try create chances for our more clinical wider players
  4. Consider using 2 forwards at wingback - we dont need a 5 man defence all the time; especially in games where we may be using Bruno or Mount or Eriksen as are AMs or CMs). The game against southampton showed the more attacking players we have on the pitch the harder we are to handle. Garnacho was playing LWB, Amad RWB, Antony can play RWB etc scare the opponent with our attack
 
Perhaps like this. It’s defensively solid, but also has some attacking power. Putting Mazraoui on RCB creates a gap on LWB though, and I don’t know how to solve that. Perhaps Antony?

—————————Onana————————
——Mazraoui——De Ligt——Martinez
Amad——Mainoo——Ugarte——??
—————Bruno ——Garnacho————
————————Zirkzee ————————

Let me be clear, this can only work against low block teams where we need to make the game
 
I think our biggest problem is that we can't maintain pressure on the opposition. The way to win these games is to just suffocate your opponent the way City & Liverpool do. We can't seem to maintain that constant probing pressure, where the opposition is pinned back.

Eventually, they'll make a mistake and you break them open. But don't also give up anything on the other end - we concede first too often, that means the oppositions got way too much to fight for. Man City obliterate these teams because they give them nothing at all - once City score psychology the opponent is gone.
 
Is it a low block puzzle or an expectations puzzle?

Seems we have just tended to be game-raising cnuts lately, and struggle to perform at the same level for games we're expected to win. That also seems to better explain the fact that we regularly lose to the underdogs that don't defend in much of a low block at all.
 
Because we've consistently started the likes of Garnacho, Rashford and Hojlund etc. These aren't players who are their best with players in front of them, they just don't have the technique, vision or IQ. We also don't have any athleticism from the fullback position to stretch play. We need to move away from these kind of players and buy players who as a minimum, have excellent technique.
 
I mean, finishing your chances would help. As bad as United were against Southampton they did create chances. Garnacho should have had 2 in the first-half and Antony somehow missed from like a yard out. If they're more than clinical they've got 3 or 4 on the board before the Amad injury time heroics.
 
You'd go with Zirkzee up front as his better hold up play will naturally draw defenders out, 2 of Amad, Garnacho and mount as runners in behind the vacant space.

Bruno in the midfield 2 with Ugarte. Bruno's ability to progress the ball is better than anything else we possess and his engine is unmatched.

Amad or a forward thinking RWB and Shaw or ideally a new LWB that is defensively sound but also capable of getting forward and pinging in a ball when needed.
Same as above but switched for Left sided attacking WB and defensively sound RWB but also capable of getting forward and pinging in a ball when needed.

Defensively hopefully Yoro's confidence will build but ideally another centre back with pace should we leak a counter attack but all 3 should be capable with the ball at their feet.
 
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