Following LiverpoolFollowing Liverpool’s resounding 3-0 win over Manchester United, the tactical flaws in Erik ten Hag’s system came to the fore. In a post-match interview with Sky Sports, Liverpool manager Arne Slot provided an analysis of United’s tactics, which deeply concerned many United fans. Slot’s analysis of Ten Hag’s pressing system set off alarm bells as to whether opposing teams have already “gotten” the Dutchman’s approach.
Article by Carl Anka for The Athletic delves into the tactical issues Manchester United faced in their defeat, highlighting the strategic problems that could continue to plague them throughout the season.
Slot Tactical Analysis
Arne Slot’s analysis is both detailed and precise. He highlights the evolution of United’s pressing system compared to last season, but it still has inherent weaknesses. “Last season they were doing man-marking in midfield and they were pressing with the number 7 and the number 11, so with the striker and one of the wingers jumping with him,” Slot explains. “This season they are pressing more with the number 9 and the number 10, so they are more of a 4-4-2. So it’s different, of course.”
Slot then exposed another critical weakness: “Their full-backs, nine times out of ten, are really high and then Casemiro is somewhere in between. So if you take the ball and keep it Luis Diaz And Mo Salah high, then you are constantly in a one-on-one situation.
Manchester United fans were quick to notice how Slot identified this key tactical flaw, showing that Liverpool’s pressing system effectively neutralised Ten Hag’s formation, particularly in the wide areas. With Manchester United’s full-backs pushed high up the pitch, Liverpool capitalised on the space left behind, allowing their attackers to create dangerous situations.
Why United’s pressing system failed
In the two seasons since Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford, United have used a pressing system that seeks to disrupt the opponent’s build-up play from the back. Initially, they deployed a three-man attack to press high and stretch their opponents, but this method often left spaces in midfield. Opponents like Brighton under the direction of Roberto De Zerbi and Ange Postecoglou Tottenhamexploited this by widening the pitch and forcing United’s pressure to collapse.
To counter this situation, Ten Hag changed his tactics by adopting a 4-4-2 system with a pressing duo of number 9 and number 10. The aim was to press more aggressively and ensure tighter marking. However, as seen against Liverpool, this left United exposed in central midfield and on the flanks.
Liverpool managed to bypass this press with relative ease. When United lost possession, they were left with minimal cover at the back. Casemiro, usually tasked with sweeping in behind the advanced full-backs, was often outplayed by Liverpool’s midfield trio. Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac AllisterAnd Dominik Szoboszlaiwho have been able to exploit the gaps left by United’s overcommitted players.
Rest Defense: A Persistent Problem
Slot’s analysis brought up another issue that has plagued United since Ten Hag’s arrival: break defending. Break defending refers to a team’s positioning and preparation to defend when in possession. For Ten Hag, it involves pushing both full-backs forward to overload the opposition’s defensive line. While this worked in his days at Ajax, when his defenders could easily stifle counterattacks in the Eredivisie, it has proven to be a greater challenge in the Premier League.
United’s current setup leaves them vulnerable if the opposition can break down their pressing. When United’s attacks fail, their defenders, particularly Lisandro Martinez And Raphael Varaneare left to their own devices to cover large areas. Slot was quick to exploit this situation in Liverpool’s win, instructing his players to play the ball quickly into wide areas, isolating United’s defenders and leaving them outnumbered.
For most of last season, Casemiro played a crucial role in plugging those gaps, using his experience and tactical acumen to break down opposition counter-attacks. However, Casemiro’s form has dipped, as shown in United’s defeat to Liverpool, where he struggled to match the intensity and aggression of Liverpool’s midfield. This further exposed United’s restive defence and raised questions about Ten Hag’s reliance on a single player to maintain the team’s defensive structure.
Ten Hag’s response and the way forward
Despite these tactical flaws, Ten Hag remains confident that his team’s problems can be solved. At a recent press conference, he said: “The break defense can be a problem in a particular match, but in principle I have to say that our break defense was not that bad. Our reactions after losing the ball can be better. Our decision-making after losing the ball can be better.”
Ten Hag is optimistic that with more time and physical preparation, United’s players will adapt better to his tactical demands. The Dutchman believes the team’s pre-season preparation, disrupted by international tournaments and a tour of the United States, has affected the team’s preparation.
However, questions remain over whether United’s improved reactions after losing the ball will be enough to solve their defensive problems. Slot’s analysis of United’s tactical weaknesses suggests that structural changes may be needed to prevent opposition teams from easily bypassing United’s pressing and resting the defence.
Is Slot’s analysis a blueprint for beating United?
Slot’s success against United undoubtedly raises concerns about how Ten Hag’s side will perform against other teams that press at high intensity. Liverpool’s ability to dominate United’s midfield and expose their full-backs is not an isolated occurrence. Teams that can replicate Liverpool’s aggressive pressing style could continue to cause United problems, particularly if Casemiro and Martinez are not at their best.
Slot himself acknowledged the risks of his own approach: “It’s just a gamble if they play through or over and (our wingers) stay where they are. But if they then come back strong, it’s not a gamble. I think today we saw a lot of moments where our forwards… dropped back very aggressively.”
This highlights another problem for United: the physical and technical superiority of Liverpool’s midfield that day. Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Gravenberch were constantly outplaying United’s midfield trio. Bruno FernandesCasemiro, and Kobbie MainooSlot’s team was faster, stronger and more decisive in their actions, leaving Ten Hag’s men to chase shadows for much of the match.
Long-term concerns for United fans
Three games into the season, it may seem premature to suggest that Ten Hag’s Manchester United project is under threat. However, the issues raised by Slot’s analysis are not new. They highlight deeper tactical problems that United have faced since Ten Hag took charge.
Ten Hag’s system relies heavily on the physical strength and tactical discipline of his players. When these qualities are lacking, as they were against Liverpool, United are left to fend for themselves. While not every Premier League team has the quality of Liverpool, teams like Manchester CityTottenham and Brighton have both shown an ability to capitalise on similar weaknesses in United’s set-up.
If United are to compete for the Premier League title and progress in Europe, Ten Hag will need to find solutions to these structural problems. The Dutchman’s focus on improving reactions after ball loss may not be enough to improve a system that appears flawed at its core.
Our view – EPL index analysis
There are some worrying signs in this report that cannot be ignored. Slot’s tactical analysis reveals a fundamental flaw in Ten Hag’s system, one that has persisted since his arrival. This is not an issue of individual players having a bad day, but a structural problem that could leave United vulnerable to high-quality opposition.
Casemiro’s struggles are particularly alarming. Last season, his presence masked many of these defensive issues, but if he is on the decline, United will need a long-term replacement – and quickly. The fact that United are relying so heavily on him and Martinez to win crucial duels shows how fragile the team’s defensive structure can be when it is not at its best.
The prospect of other Premier League teams adopting Slot’s tactics is worrying. Liverpool’s model could easily be followed by the likes of Manchester City or Tottenham, and with United still defining their identity under Ten Hag, there is a real fear that these problems will persist.
United’s season is far from over, but without addressing these deep-rooted tactical issues, it could be a long and frustrating campaign.
