In 10 years under David Moyes Everton relied heavily on width. With Sir Alex Ferguson also a believer, Moyes has persisted with the philosophy in his new role at Manchester United, although the result has been mixed at best.
Sides facing the Reds tend to focus on retaining a defensive shape, and an attacking philosophy that becomes predictable makes it easier for opposition to anticipate and react to United’s attacks. Relying heavily on the flanks, for example, falls into that category. This is one reason why Ferguson tried to include as many avenues of attack as possible to break down stubborn opposition.
After a run of poor results early in the season Moyes might have learned this lesson too, although he has problems with implementation. The line-up against Sunderland last weekend was versatile, with a variety of formations such as 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 all possible without substitution. Adnan Januzaj and Nani added flexibility – United could use the flanks traditionally or otherwise. Even deployed on the natural flank, each is comfortable using their weaker foot and Sunderland was forced to risk allowing the United duo to cut inside.
Meanwhile, with Wayne Rooney deployed as more of a forward than a genuine number 10 the Englishman came deep only occasionally, leaving room for Januzaj to play between the lines. The plan was scuppered only by Sunderland’s use of a 4-3-3 formation with Lee Cattermole holding. In the end United struggled to channel balls through the middle.
One consequence was that United attacked almost exclusively down the flanks, delivering 30 crosses, and made it easy for Sunderland to defend. In fact so easy was it for Sunderland in the first half that the Reds might have lost if it wasn’t for David de Gea’s heroics and, eventually, Januzaj’s brilliance.
It has been a pattern this season, with United’s opponents defending deep and shepherding Red wingers out wide into predictable situations. It is a tactic that doesn’t even play into the Reds’ hands, with Marouanne Fellaini the only aerial presence in the squad.
Meanwhile, Robin Van Persie’s isolation up front has been an issue throughout the campaign. One good game against Swansea City lies in contrast to his fine record last season. Even so the Dutch striker’s form this season is puzzling given that United hasn’t lost any key personnel nor has the side changed tactics significantly.
Perhaps the answer lies in the lack of a player deployed behind the Dutchman. Rooney was deployed at number 10 last season, while Danny Welbeck played a similar role against Swansea on the opening day of the campaign. With a player in the hole the opposition is forced to commit an extra man between the lines.
Meanwhile United’s wingers are more potent too. After all, crosses are more dangerous with a forward arriving late into the box having escaped his marker. Yet, for the most part Rooney has been deployed as a partner of, rather than a supporting man to, van Persie this year.
Over the past two seasons Rooney has played successfully at 10 – at least in terms of his output, albeit with differing instructions each campaign. Yet, United’s performances have dropped since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Madrid, with a group of wide players taking poor form into the current season from the last.
Aside from Ronaldo’s loss, much of the problem lies with in Rooney’s footballing style. The former Evertonian has never been particularly comfortable playing in tight quarters, leading the 27-year-old, whether by instinct or instruction, to release the ball to the flanks. It is always an easier out ball since wide men tend to have more space than the central forward.
To his credit ‘White Pele’ is a player who looks for the ball, but his influence directly affects the type and quality of football United plays, and his tendency to shift the focus to the flank has prompted some of club’s lower quality displays in recent years. Not least because United can boast so few wide players in form.
Width is, of course, central not just to Moyes, but to many managers in world football. Wingers tend to suffer the least opposition pressure and present an easy passing option. Speedy wide men also stretch the field of play and make it easier for those through the middle to find space.
Yet, Rooney’s style tends to offer a map to the Reds’ approach – one that’s not particularly useful in any case, with so little aerial prowess in the squad.
In order to break out of this cycle Moyes could refocus United’s threat through the middle. Welbeck has often played at 10, and presents a safe option given his work rate and tactical intelligence. But the academy graduate lacks real incision leaving Shinji Kagawa a far more adventurous choice in the hole.
Despite not playing regularly the former Dortmund player boasted the highest passing completion rate in the final third in England last season. Notwithstanding his excellent form in the Bundesliga from 2010-12, Kagawa affords United a passing option near the opposition box that no other player offers.
There are risks: it is often said Kagawa’s lack of physicality causes United problems through the middle. However, recent changes in the squad may offer an answer to this problem.
Fellaini has long held that his natural role is that of a defensive midfielder, although the Belgian has added little steel in the engine room to date. Indeed, the Champions League game against Shaktar brutally exposed a serious flaw in the former Everton player. The Belgian gave away a series of fouls, which was understandable because of his limited European experience, but the tendency to give away possession, was even more worrying.
Closer to home, Cleverley has become a defensive midfielder of note under Moyes. The England international is making more interceptions and tackles this season than ever before. On average he has made three tackles per game this season against 1.68 tackles per game last season, while the midfielder’s tackling success rate has increased from 78 per cent to 93 per cent.
At the Stadium of Light, for example, Cleverley successfully completed eight tackles from nine attempts. The midfielder was deployed in a central two against Sunderland’s three man midfield and his tackle success rate, number of tackles and courage, knowing that a missed tackle would put his defence under pressure, was highly impressive.
Moreover, Cleverley has maintained the 90 per cent pass completion rate of last season. Incredibly, 63.6 per cent of his passes are forwards – against 56.5 per cent last season. The former Wigan Athletic player does not offer the sheer brawn of Fellaini, but the statistics suggest that Cleverley is now an accomplished tackler who also keeps possession.
Meanwhile, Kagawa is the one United player who can go laterally and offer United more attacking options. Rooney is a better crosser, and perhaps more threatening than the Japanese out wide, but Kagawa is unquestionably superior floating behind a striker.
The former Dortmund player covered more ground than any other player in his last Bundesliga season, roaming in search of space and allowing midfielders to move the ball up field safely. The Japanese could do the same for United, helping the Reds to keep possession in the middle and freeing Michael Carrick at the same time. In fact, Kagawa’s ability to navigate the game in tight quarters means that Moyes could even consider a Carrick-free midfield.
Ferguson’s purchase of Kagawa, and the Scot’s initial deployment of the Japan international at 10, indicates that the transfer had a rationale behind it. Cleverley’s development might allow Moyes to deploy a traditional number 10 whose primary role is to provide creativity.
Although this switch might place too much emphasis on Kagawa the creator, Januzaj’s rapid growth could divert attention from the Japanese, if Moyes dares to deploy both.
And while is Rooney still is a better all-round footballer than Kagawa the Scouser severely limits United’s attacking variety. Sir Alex benched expensive and seemingly important players, such as Dimitar Berbatov and Ruud Nisterlooy, when needed. Does Moyes have the bottle to do the same with Rooney? He might just benefit from it.
Very articulately put. It’s an idea a lot of us hoped would materialize in the wake of the Rooney transfer saga. But no chance of it happening now with the club squarely putting all its eggs in Rooney’s basket.
Unfortunately there’s no chance of this happening and Kagawa will most likely be sold at the end of the season or even in Jan.
A good point well made, but Rooney has been our best player this season. I’d like to see a diamond with kagawa behind Rooney and RVP at the expense of young/Valencia/nani out wide.
with Rooney dictating where he wants to play you’ve got no chance of this happening. Sell the scouse twat to Chelsea #freeshinji
“The Belgian gave away a serious of fouls” hehe 😉 Great points otherwise, couldn’t agree more. C&C behind Kagawa worth a test
Moyes and his band of Everton coaches are too inexperienced or scared to field this formation, cause Rooney has arm twisted his way into the starting line up rather than based on his footballing ability. The sooner we get rid of Rooney the faster we can return to our previous impressive attacking ways. Noticed that when Ronaldo was the main guy for united and Rooney was playing supporting cast the club was more menacing going forward. Alex began to realize this towards the end of last season and was systematically marginalizing Rooney’s involvement to improve our team’s performance and if he did not retire, Kagawa would have had center stage this season, unfortunately the club engaged a coward as their manager and as a result Rooney is installed as the first name on the list not because of what he brings to the team BUT because he is English, is being paid a ton load of money, him and his manager has managed to engineer a blackmail on the new manager and has acquired the political assistance of another United parasite called Giggs, both fueling their individualistic egos rather concern for the team’s welfare.
Well said. I like it.
Utd parasite called Giggs? Fuelling his individualistic ego rather than the team’s welfare? LOL, that’s a fine load of bullshit. Engineer a blackmail on Moyes? What is this, a corporation or a football team? Cause if it is the former, I might as well start buying Goldman Sachs merch and start watching their team meetings on Skype.
*Bullshit Klaxon*
Well said man!!
With the frequency of games coming, Moyes could have given Wayne a break and played Kagawa against Shakhtar or Sunderland.
Moyes should place Rooney up front with kagawa middle makes a better fit.
Yes sir. Very true. Kagawa is the better man for the number 10 slot.
Very succinctly put. Fear a creative & flair player will be forced to leave because of a selfish, stroppy and erratic one.
Keep a close eye on tomorrow night’s game and tell me if you think he is not good enough to play for @ManUtd ?!
unfortunately I think he’ll be sold in the summer. #hopenot
: Shinji could become Moyes liberator- http://t.co/g2hxCs2KoY
I hope this happens (it won’t) when Shinji’s sold I’ll cry #waste
Very nice piece as always Ed but as you say on the pod; look at Moyes’s history with creative players, he doesn’t have the knack to use them properly it seems.
Such a shame with Kagawa as I don’t think we will ever see the best of him at United and as mentioned in the comments above I fully expect him to be gone by the summer but maybe even in January.
hoping kagawa can adjust his game as he does for Japan, on be a creative midfielder like xavi whiles playing in central midfield cuz me still need the strength and all round ability of Rooney who has been our best player during this campaign, if kagawa wants to play he needs to work on his defending abilities as Mourinho forced Mata to do n not wait to get the ball, he should be chasing the ball as Januzaj did in the second half playing from the left same position kagawa has been playing for Japan. Stop blaming Moyes for letting Rooney stay, kagawa needs to work his way into the starting 11.
You watch football very well my brother. Tanks for speaking the truth. Rooney deserves the praises he gets.
At last some sanity, if not grammar.
Don’t understand all those clamoring for Rooney to go. Sure, Ed’s points are well-made and I agree in large part. BUT, Rooney has clearly been our best player this season to date.
Why would we sell our best player?
The squad is large enough, and the challenges numerous enough, that Moyes WILL rotate, and through that, find the best combinations for different oppositions.
Selling Rooney in Jan would be idiocy. He’s here for the season at least.
Kagawa MUST be used though. He’s obviously a top talent; his time at Dortmund can’t be overlooked.
Not my article, Jay’s…
Well written Jay Shon. Very impressive.
I was really impressed by Brendan Roger’s courage in playing such an attacking line up against Crystal palace on the weekend.
He managed to field Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Victor Mose and Steven Gerrard in the attacking half while playing Raheem Sterling and Jose Enrique as wings backs in support of the 5 forward players and 3 centre backs.
To accommodate both Kagawa and Rooney and Januzaj might take that kind of ingenuity.
Play Robin van Persie as the sole striker with Shinji Kagawa as the man in the hole behind him.
Nani or Januzaj man one of the flanks.
Rooney is given licence to roam free and effect the game however he pleases.
Carrick is the man in the middle.
Buttner and Valencia play the role of wingbacks.
With Vidic, Jones and Smalling attacking as rear guard.
Such a line up uses a lot of our best players in their positions of strength.
Yes, something I’ve been thinking about, too. We have lots of centre-backs, full-backs better in attack than defence and shite wingers so a back three with wing-backs would suit us well. It would also allow Kagawa or Januzaj to play centrally behind a front two.
Moyes only plays a back four, though, so no point dreaming…
Now is that because Moyes is boring or because Moyes is stupid?
Just think he’s very conservative.
@UnitedSky1 wahhh wahhh
The strategy is simple – play Kagawa, play Cleverley. And of course play Rooney. And a Carrickless midfield? That’s another joke. With Young and Valencia out of form and probably not finding much anytime soon, we need to get a Cleverley – Kagawa attack going, and put Rooney in the spot – cause guess what – he delivers.
The earlier we free Anderson, the better for united and the lad as well. He might thrive in some other league, and might as well make the world cup. What is the essence of Giggs being a player manager, he might as well have retired and become a full time coach because i haven’t seen any meaningful contribution from him yet. Moyes should take more “risk” and field Kagawa in the middle. I totally agree with utd playing a diamond formation for now, with Kagawa as the head of the diamond.Moyes said he watched ancelloti train during his time at AC Milan, he could as well replicate what he saw there, kagawa playing as kaka. What plans does Moyes have for the loanees who have been performing excellently, he should as well take them into consideration before making any signing. He should consider signing will hughes.
Don’t know much about this Will Hughes kid but he is getting a lot of air play.
Whats his story?