patrickmuf:
Check when Pep plays KDB and Gundogan in front of Rodri...You hardly find that much space between the pair even when they attack. Rodri always has passing options either to the two CBs or their full backs or to either of Gundogan or KDB.

When attacking, Gundogan will ghost into the box, KDB will be a little withdrawn with Rodri stationed in the opponents half whilst the 2 fullbacks supply the width and the CBs push up close to the Centre of the pitch. This makes the pitch small for the opponents as they're kind of crowded out thus City can easily recover possession with their press. It's a system that involves all the units functioning, each player must be well positioned for their press to be coordinated. It is not down to the superior defensive quality of Rodri but more to their system.

A DM is important but in our present set up, Ndidi will look above average at best. I can't remember a game where I saw an opponent running at Rodri. Pep will never set up to allow the opponent attackers have a go at his defenders, it rarely does happen and when it does, most times City drop points because individually some of their defenders are suspect but as a unit, they're that good.

We should learn how to keep the ball and progressively attack and defend as a unit...

eph12:

We had two CDMs in Fred and Tom. Yesterday, I wasn't sure Pogba offered much without the ball. Bruno had all that freedom to play the free role. But what happens when we don't have those two together? That's why I was talking about our players the other day when we were excited about our attacking options. This team will suffer if we think we can fit in all those attacking players into the field at the same time

Illimitable:


We already discussed this yesterday.

United should be pressing better after a loss of possession. I don’t see it at all apart from 3-4 players(Bruno, Cavani, Fred, Rashford). The others just jog or lament about the fact that they didn’t get a foul or crying about a missed chance.

The pressing needs to be better but I don’t want to even talk about that yet when there’s a gaping hole in the midfield crying for an elite operator. Pep’s teams are always compact and they look way better without the ball than when United are without the ball.

It’s a coaching issue. Pep and Ole aren’t in the same class. Every of our players should be tearing a muscle to get the ball back but we have too many lazy players. Martial doesn’t even run into space when we have the ball. He wants the ball to his feet every time. He should be sold as well but Joel Glazer is romantically in love with him.

ChristineC:
that's a simple view.
this is Varane's heat map in the game. place it side by side with Pogba and Fred in your earlier posts and you'd see that Bruno cannot operate in that same area because they were pretty static there.
the bane of this team was poor passing from the back. if we can sort that out, we can still field our attacking talents comfortably.

eph12:

The area I hoped Bruno will occupy is just Infront of the two CM

Karleb:
When the sinner is serving punishment the righteous would also partake.

That's exactly Bruno's problem.

Too bad.

Trevor012:

If you don't see how Bruno uselessness is affecting the Midfield play and build up then only God can help you.

eph12:

Bruno laments the most in that team fyi

Expert17:
Not just attack, he is good all round.

King Bruno.

I guess he was tackling, intercepting and clearing in opposition box.

ChristineC:
Bruno has had a free role in this team except on his debut game. no United fan is oblivious of this fact.

eph12:

While it will turn out okay some times, we will seriously struggle with Pogba and Bruno in the same team, both suitable for free roles, especially when it matters most

eph12:

I can't find who is supposed to be there. I'm even confused if Pogba and Fred were supposed to cover that whole side why did Pogba now concentrate on the right and Fred at the middle. This team is confused

Expert17:
The heat map is available online

Bruno the main striker

Karleb:


Only God can help you.

eph12:

He should run after Adama and do that? He should receive from defenders and still carry the ball to create quality chances too? Wahala dey o

eph12:

I mentioned this yesterday. Just like when we wanted Sancho in. I said its like we are praying for Sancho to be bought so that when the play rubbish, the poor boy will hopefully do some magic to secure some or all points. Lets stop playing rubbish first

Only Fred was on Trincao and Adama and the other CMs. Make them kill am na

elrony:


He's not that bad, and we can't throw him away yet, just don't play him as a lone DM especially . Our coach dey mad.

TheLequte:


Fred passes to the opponent under no pressure and cannot make a tackle to save his life.

I don’t think there’s much hope for him. Maybe a loan can realign his head but I doubt it.

His teammates think twice before passing to him and when they do my heart skips a beat because there’s a 200% chance he’ll lose the ball.

Fred puts the u in useless. There’s no arguments about that

Oasis007:
Excl. Leeds are in advanced talks to sign Dan James from Manchester United on a permanent deal! Discussions ongoing to complete the agreement. Talks also on personal terms.

Noa Lang rumours few days ago were ‘fake’ - never been close to Leeds in the last weeks.

- Fabrizio Romano

CapitalCee:


So Bruno is disturbing Sancho in his wing, he is hindering Pogba and Fred, he is disturbing Greenwood because he is a small boy. Very soon Bruno will be blamed for standing close to Ole during a match making him to make wrong sub

elrony:


You sef don taya

Make we kuku stick to double pivot for some games if we don't sign a DM

ChristineC:
well, every game is important and every dog has his day I guess.

TheLequte:


Fred passes to the opponent under no pressure and cannot make a tackle to save his life.

I don’t think there’s much hope for him. Maybe a loan can realign his head but I doubt it.

His teammates think twice before passing to him and when they do my heart skips a beat because there’s a 200% chance he’ll lose the ball.

Fred puts the u in useless. There’s no arguments about that