The team is still awful in possession

Maguire is one of the worst CB in the premier league in possession. slow, sluggish, dwell on the ball for 10 seconds (allowing opponents to get in shape) before making a decision to pass to our fullbacks (who are pressed) or ping a long ball forward (and our forward loss 9 out of 10 times).
 
With our first XI we're definitely good in possession. We just lack tempo in the midfield and much better penetration from Antony on the right. But everyone fit, we're a good footballing side. The weak spots have been mentioned a million times on here, GK, RB, and a Frenkie type press resistant dribbler. But in terms of possession, that first XI is better than anything we've seen for (almost) 10 years at OT.
 
To be good in possession you need players who are good in possession. The structure goes a long way, but it's also a structure that requires players are good on the ball... sabitzer and Fred are both the same. Good energetic players, not playmakers, not positionally sound, very loose on the ball.
 
bosnian_red said:
To be good in possession you need players who are good in possession. The structure goes a long way, but it's also a structure that requires players are good on the ball... sabitzer and Fred are both the same. Good energetic players, not playmakers, not positionally sound, very loose on the ball.
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Tbf both Casemiro and Eriksen are loose on the ball, their positioning and playmaking are excellent though.
 
Bastian said:
With our first XI we're definitely good in possession. We just lack tempo in the midfield and much better penetration from Antony on the right. But everyone fit, we're a good footballing side. The weak spots have been mentioned a million times on here, GK, RB, and a Frenkie type press resistant dribbler. But in terms of possession, that first XI is better than anything we've seen for (almost) 10 years at OT.
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We're alright, but not compared to the likes of City or Arsenal for example. And certainly not compared to ETH's previous side. And really those should be the comparison points ahead of the not-good-enough United sides of recent years.

But then really what were we expecting in year 1 under ETH with this squad. It should be taken as a sign of the direction we need to evolve rather than a major complaint.
 
A lot of it is self inflicted today. When we’re missing our two best passers in midfield I don’t think you can afford to leave out our best defender at passing the ball and taking Shaw away from left back where he was brilliant against the same opponents on Wednesday.
 
sullydnl said:
We're alright, but not compared to the likes of City or Arsenal for example. And certainly not compared to ETH's previous side. And really those should be the comparison points ahead of the not-good-enough United sides of recent years.

But then really what were we expecting in year 1 under ETH with this squad. It should be taken as a sign of the direction we need to evolve rather than a major complaint.
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Less than a year. I'd say the progression (again, with that first XI in mind) is astounding.
 
Not a top team till we fix this, too many players aren't able to keep the ball and some of them are supposedly the best we have got.
 
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