Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 6.
Team analysis - Manchester United
Control and compactness are at the heart of Man Utd's recent defensive improvements which they will look to showcase once more when they host Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
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Keeping three clean sheets from their opening five Premier League matches, there has been a visible development in their off-the-ball work under Erik ten Hag.
Playing with a clearer identity, United have been more consistent in their tactical approach than they were in 2023/24.
Added stability
Keeping the ball is always an effective way to protect your goals against column from rising, and it appears Ten Hag has placed a greater emphasis on that this campaign.
In 2023/24, Man Utd had more than 50 per cent of possession in just 18 of their 38 Premier League matches.
This season, they have had more possession than their opponents in all of their fixtures so far, averaging 56.48 per cent.
The inclusion of playmaker Christian Eriksen in their last two league outings, coupled with the use of Diogo Dalot as an inverted left-back has aided that shift in emphasis.
Portugal international Dalot provides added stability down the middle if possession is lost, but as he showed when setting up Alejandro Garnacho for a big chance against Crystal Palace last weekend, he also has a terrific eye for a pass when they find him as the spare man.
Dalot's pass to Garnacho v Crystal Palace
Staying compact
One of United’s big issues last season was the way their three units become open and disconnected.
Tightening up those gaps was a priority that Ten Hag has sought to address and we have certainly seen United’s central defenders push up closer to the midfield department, holding a higher line.
Across the last two matches, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt have both been encouraged to show proactive aggression against opposing strikers, coming to meet the ball inside the opposition half, as shown below against Palace and Southampton.
Using Martinez and De Ligt in this way has reduced the space between the lines and connected the back four with the midfielders.
As a result, opponents have found it more difficult to get quality possession between the lines.
Fewer shots faced
After the first five matches of last season, United had allowed 76 attempts on their goal, but the figure stands at just 50 this time around.
Across the entire 2023/24 campaign, they averaged 17.6 shots faced per match, ranking them 19th in the division – but at this stage of 2024/25, their opponents are averaging only 10 shots per 90 minutes.
Andre Onana, who made a brilliant double save in their 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, has been called into action far less frequently.
Where Man Utd rank for shots last two seasons
| 23/24 average | 23/24 rank | 24/25 average | 24/25 rank | |
| Shots faced | 17.6 | 19th | 10 | 6th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saves | 3.9 | 16th | 2.2 | =2nd |
Ten Hag’s focus on defensive solidity is noticeable.
Last season, United were a strictly mid-table team when it came to ball-winning metrics, but in most of the major categories they currently rank inside the top four.
A well-drilled shape has sparked far more interceptions and ball recoveries and in general, their attitude is more combative than it was in the last campaign.
Where Man Utd rank for possession last two seasons
| 2023/24 rank | 2024/25 rank | |
| Poss won | 9th | 2nd |
|---|---|---|
| Poss won in final third | 10th | =4th |
| Poss won in middle third | 12th | 2nd |
| Poss won defensive third | 10th | 2nd |
| Tackles won | 9th | 3rd |
| Interceptions | 11th | 1st |
United’s 4-2-3-1 shape has morphed into more of a 4-3-3, in which Kobbie Mainoo is the deepest midfielder with Bruno Fernandes to his right and Eriksen to his left.
With Dalot sliding infield and Joshua Zirkzee often dropping into pockets as well, United are packing bodies into central areas.
Here is how Eriksen and Fernandes’ positions mirror one another, either side of Mainoo.
Eriksen’s inclusion against Southampton and Palace has also led to a slight tweak of style.
United pressed with great success in their opening two matches, before suffering defeat against an impressive Liverpool side in Matchweek 3.
Reacting to that loss, while simultaneously covering for Eriksen’s lack of athleticism, Ten Hag has purposely clogged up the middle third, using a mid-pitch block against Southampton and Palace.
As shown below, they have won the ball inside the final third less often.
Man Utd possession won in final third 2024/25
| Opponents | Matchweek | Total |
| Fulham | 1 | 10 |
|---|---|---|
| Brighton | 2 | 6 |
| Southampton | 4 | 5 |
| Crystal Palace | 5 | 3 |
| Liverpool | 3 | 3 |
Impressive Dalot
It has helped United that they have so far avoided injury issues in defence.
Martinez, Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have started all five league matches and, like summer signing De Ligt, they have largely played well.
However, it is Dalot, filling in at left-back for Luke Shaw, who has caught the eye most.
Snappy in the tackle, reading the game sharply and squeezing into midfield to regain the ball on numerous occasions, the defender has been excellent.
As shown in this table (below), he has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the division.
Where Dalot ranks among PL defenders 2024/25
| Total | Rank | |
| Poss won | 40 | 1st |
|---|---|---|
| Poss won defensive third | 24 | 1st |
| Poss won middle third | 15 | 2nd |
| Interceptions | 10 | =3rd |
United remain a work in progress, as their midweek UEFA Europa League draw with FC Twente showed, but in domestic action there are signs that a tactical identity is forming.
Building from a more solid base, it feels as if Ten Hag’s side are getting better, but the visit of Spurs will be a test of how far they have come.
