Jakarta –
First game Manchester United under the direction Ralf Rangnick not just showing high pressing as expected. There is also a change in formation to accommodate it.
At first, Man United looked to use a 4-2-3-1 pattern when they hosted Crystal Palace on Sunday (5/12) night WIB. There were also no major surprises in the choice of players – which is understandable considering Rangnick also only had time to have one training session with the Red Devils players ahead of this match.
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The MU formation was originally thought to be like this. Photo: Processed, via buildlineup.com– |
However, as the game progressed it became clear that there was a difference on the pitch. There is a high intensity in pressing from the front line with a 4-2-2-2 formation.
After Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United actually began to show high pressing under Michael Carrick – to the point of raising the suspicion that since then Rangnick intervened. But pressing MU against Palace remains different.
Supported by a 4-2-2-2 formation, the MU players installed a very high defensive line that was also in line with the style high press from the front line. Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles flanked the heart of the defence, and then ‘released free’ far forward. Scott McTominay and Fred remained faithful to double pivot positions in front of the defence, although they also gave a more dynamic impression. Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho act like double number 10, behind Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo.
 4-2-2-2 MU vs Palace. Photo: Processed, via buildlineup.com– |
With 4-2-2-2 against Palace, when attacking Man United tried to maximize the width of the field with Dalot and Telles who routinely stepped forward like full-backs. When defending, this 4-2-2-2 formation looks indeed used to be able to grab the ball as quickly as possible on the front line effectively and efficiently. The effort to make the points between players closer when pressing in this formation also raises the potential for small ‘triangles’ to play fast passes.
Indeed, the application of the pattern seems far from perfect. In the second half, for example, when the pressing of the Red Devils players began to loosen. Or the distance between players is still too tenuous several times. The supply of dangerous balls to the front lines is also still low and relatively not much, as there are some finishing that are not okay.
However, once again, this MU has only undergone one training session with Rangnick. There is still plenty of time to forge what Rangnick wants his players to have. After all, the end result also favored MU through a win plus a clean sheet.
 Heatmap of the movement of the MU Vs Palace players. Photo: Doc. Whoscore– |
Then, what do you say? Ralf Rangnick about Man United’s scheme of play, also the thinking behind the three substitutions he made? Read on the next page.
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