The days of Manchester United (MU) playing spontaneous, unstructured football are a thing of the past, all thanks to the influence of Erik ten Hag. This transformation has been long-awaited and has brought much-needed cohesion and organization to the team.
On May 7, 2022, MU suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat against Brighton in the 36th round of the Premier League. Former MU assistant coach Rene Meulensteen expressed his concern on talkSPORT, stating, "When I watch them play, I see a team that is lost. There is no cohesion, organization, squad structure. They lack the basics needed for success."
Rio Ferdinand, another former MU player, echoed this sentiment a month later, referring to the "lack of squad structure" while discussing Raphael Varane's performance. Ferdinand noted the stark contrast between Varane's previous experience with a team that played high-quality football and the lack of confidence and direction he witnessed at Manchester United.
So, what exactly is this "team structure" that Meulensteen and Ferdinand are highlighting? In essence, it refers to the organization and coordination of a team when playing. Each position must work harmoniously to ensure a seamless connection between attack and defense. The responsibility of creating this structure falls upon the coach.
In England, Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City are regarded as prime examples of teams with a solid squad structure. Klopp's Liverpool plays with a pre-programmed style, where every player knows their specific role and how to interact with their teammates. This level of coordination is achieved through meticulous training and specific instructions from Klopp. The players understand their movements and positioning in different scenarios, enabling smooth transitions and cohesive gameplay.
Similarly, Guardiola's Manchester City has been hailed as a team that demonstrates football from another dimension. However, their success is attributed to the perfect system that Guardiola has meticulously crafted. Each player knows their role and how to contribute to the overall machine-like functioning of the team. The movements and positioning of players are synchronized, enabling effective attacking and defensive strategies.
Before Erik ten Hag's arrival, Manchester United lacked this crucial squad structure. Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the team relied heavily on individual creativity and improvisation, often resulting in inconsistent performances. While this approach occasionally yielded positive results, it failed to stand up against stronger opponents who could exploit the team's predictable style of play.
In the realm of team structure, the positioning and movement of players play a pivotal role. This determines the success or failure of attacks and defenses, as well as the creation of scoring opportunities. Manchester United's lack of structured play drew constant criticism from Meulensteen, Ferdinand, and other observers.
With Erik ten Hag's influence, Manchester United is undergoing a significant transformation. The Dutch manager has introduced a clear squad structure, emphasizing the importance of player positioning and coordinated movements. This strategic approach enables the team to adapt to different situations, create space, and rotate the ball effectively.
While the process of implementing and refining the squad structure will take time, Manchester United is on the path to reclaiming their status as a dominant force in English football. The days of unstructured play are fading, making way for a more cohesive, organized, and successful era under Erik ten Hag's guidance.
