Analyzing Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup through data and tactical analysis: a thread.

#MUFC’s plan was to progress the ball wide through the flanks to find runners and/or switch the players — and it was well executed.

Issues:

(A) Henderson’s ball distribution was not well utilized to find forwards through long balls.

(B) Weak verticality/central presence.
This can be better seen through the territory Manchester United occupied in both halves — although they dominated through the left flank, they progressed well through the right as well.

The height of central presence increased as a result of substitutions: Fred/Bruno.
EXAMPLE: #MUFC’s dominance in the left was seen in multiple formats which include:

(A) Construction of triangles — to cross, create space and perform third-man runs.

(B) Rashford dribbles > cutbacks.

(C) Overlaps from Luke Shaw.

(D) Long balls from deep to find runners.
So how did #MUFC move the ball?

In the first half — they looked to build-up *and* progress to the left flank to create opportunities to exploit #LIV’s high line i.e long balls, overlaps.

Directness improved in the second half with a more dangerous forward presence.
How did #MUFC’s passing patterns look like?

(A) 1st phase, build-up, both centre halves had a high concentration of wide passes, to evade LIV’s press.

(B) 2nd phase, progression, Shaw had the highest forward proactivity — Pogba involved/directing the ball well to either flank.
The first goal conceded #MUFC conceded came from poor organization and tracking.

Ultimately, Shaw is too attracted to watching the ball and doesn’t track Salah’s run.

The second goal came from a sloppy loss of possession — vast space between the backline and midfield.
Let’s take a look at #MUFC’s equalizer.

This goal was the exact execution of Manchester United’s plan: exploit Liverpool’s high line using long balls and runs into the last line of their defense.

Greenwood was well composed in both timing his run and his finish.
Let’s look at the goal again, but instead, focus on Cavani’s run:

He runs in behind Fabinho and as he does, dummies as if to receive, only to bend — recognizes the vast space between the centre halves & reaches the penalty box unmarked.

An excellent quality to #MUFC’s attack.
How did #MUFC look to to press?

The short answer: they didn’t look to press high.

Long answer: #MUFC set up in a compact mid-block out of possession, forcing them wide as an attempt to drag them then exploit.

Sustainment of pressure allowed them to score the second.
EXAMPLE: Manchester United here looked to afford Liverpool space and time on the ball — then close them down wide at an attempt to (A) allow them to push forward and exploit the space left behind (B) force errors, recoveries and long balls.
Manchester United’s defensive actions in the opposition half — particularly in the left flank, allowed them to sustain the pressure of their attacks.

Compared to the last Liverpool encounter, #MUFC was much more proactive, with both goals initiated with defensive actions.
EXAMPLE:

(A) Van de Beek’s winning of the ball back here after a throw in — led to one of #MUFC’s most dangerous opportunities.

(B) Pogba’s tackle initiated Manchester United’s transition for Greenwood’s goal.

(C) Cavani’s interception initiated Rashford’s goal.
This was a performance that deserved a win — and most importantly it was done, for the first time in a very long time, in Manchester United’s own terms with a positive selection.

The plan, execution *and* hard work of the players allowed this.

END.

More from Sport

We're all loving the return of the UCL but in terms of football folklore, a fixture going down in Chile tonight may just be the most important match of the week.

It's a relegation playoff between CD Universidad & Colo Colo it has all of Chile holding it's breath. (THREAD)


It's all because the away side is Colo Colo, the country's biggest, most successful club, with 32 titles & the only Chilean Copa Libertadores trophy.

They have never even come close to relegation & the sheer thought of going down is causing all kinds of scenes across the country


From the ritualistic Grandma's doing their bit to convince the football sprits to keep them in the top


To the 5,000 fans outside who awaited the team bus outside the training ground for one last motivational


And of course the club's Barra Bravas with their own take on motivation

You May Also Like

THE MEANING, SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY OF SWASTIK

The Swastik is a geometrical figure and an ancient religious icon. Swastik has been Sanatan Dharma’s symbol of auspiciousness – mangalya since time immemorial.


The name swastika comes from Sanskrit (Devanagari: स्वस्तिक, pronounced: swastik) &denotes “conducive to wellbeing or auspicious”.
The word Swastik has a definite etymological origin in Sanskrit. It is derived from the roots su – meaning “well or auspicious” & as meaning “being”.


"सु अस्ति येन तत स्वस्तिकं"
Swastik is de symbol through which everything auspicios occurs

Scholars believe word’s origin in Vedas,known as Swasti mantra;

"🕉स्वस्ति ना इन्द्रो वृधश्रवाहा
स्वस्ति ना पूषा विश्ववेदाहा
स्वस्तिनास्तरक्ष्यो अरिश्तनेमिही
स्वस्तिनो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु"


It translates to," O famed Indra, redeem us. O Pusha, the beholder of all knowledge, redeem us. Redeem us O Garudji, of limitless speed and O Bruhaspati, redeem us".

SWASTIK’s COSMIC ORIGIN

The Swastika represents the living creation in the whole Cosmos.


Hindu astronomers divide the ecliptic circle of cosmos in 27 divisions called
https://t.co/sLeuV1R2eQ this manner a cross forms in 4 directions in the celestial sky. At centre of this cross is Dhruva(Polestar). In a line from Dhruva, the stars known as Saptarishi can be observed.