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”The comprehensive 3-0 defeat Manchester United suffered against Liverpool highlighted deep-rooted tactical issues that have plagued Erik Ten Hag’s side. While individual errors played a role, the underlying problem was an incoherent structure that left United vulnerable and disjointed throughout the match. Arne Slotpointed out how easy it was to cut throughUnited and score the 3 goals which says a lot of about both the Liverpool manager and his counterpart at Manchester United. Here are three key tactical blunders that contributed to United’s downfall.
One of the most glaring issues was the positioning of United’s full-backs. Both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui were consistently caught high up the pitch, leaving vast spaces behind them. This was particularly evident in the lead-up to Liverpool’s first goal. As Casemiro received the ball deep in United’s half, both full-backs were already advancing forward, limiting his passing options. Casemiro’s ill-advised attempt to play out wide was intercepted, leading to a devastating Liverpool counterattack. The overcommitting of the full-backs left United’s defense exposed, and Liverpool took full advantage.
In an era where the likes of Pep Guardiola and Slot himself are redefining the full-back role by asking them to step in midfield to provide extra passing options, Ten Hag’s approach to his full backs seems from an era bygone.
The second goal epitomized United’s midfield struggles. Casemiro, once a stalwart in defensive midfield, found himself isolated and under constant pressure. When Mazraoui played a weak pass towards him, neither Kobbie Mainoo nor Bruno Fernandes were in a position to offer support. This left Casemiro with few options and resulted in him losing possession to Luis Díaz, who easily capitalized on the mistake. The lack of a coherent midfield structure meant that when United lost the ball, there was no cover, leaving the defense exposed time and again.
Another critical issue was United’s inability to press effectively as a unit. Ten Hag’s pressing strategy seemed disjointed, with the forwards and midfielders often pressing in isolation rather than as a cohesive group. This allowed Liverpool to easily bypass the press and exploit the gaps in United’s midfield. The disorganization in pressing not only failed to disrupt Liverpool’s buildup but also left United’s defense exposed to quick transitions. Liverpool’s third goal was a direct consequence of United’s ineffective pressing, as the team was unable to regain possession in dangerous areas and allowed Liverpool to dominate the tempo of the game.
Erik Ten Hag’s tactical approach against Liverpool exposed significant weaknesses in Manchester United’s setup. The overcommitting of full-backs, lack of midfield support, and ineffective pressing strategy were all key factors in the 3-0 defeat. A lot of blame can be attributed to Casemiro’s mistake but the system in which the Brazilian operates is the root cause. At Real Madrid, he had Toni Kroos and Luka Modric as his partners and his main responsibility was to protect the defense and recycle the possession. At United, he is expected to protect the defense and also carry out the ball and make progressive passes without adequate support from his teammates. This is something, Manuel Ugarte will also struggle with.”
