Over the course of the transfer market, there have been opinions and counter opinions about what Manchester United needs to arrest their almost one decade decline. It is no more news that the once giants of the EPL are nothing more than just barking dogs with no bite currently.
To some they need more quality players, to some they need more time, to some they need better football administrators, and to some they need new owners.
This article though isn't going to focus on the tangibles that are already evident and have been covered widely by different authors. The intangibles are the subject of this article.
AGGRESSION
One of the most important ingredients of the pressing game is aggression. The problem with most of the players that ETH came to meet in the team is their stand-offish nature of their marking along with poor positional sense.
The likes of Maguire and Shaw are notorious for backing away from opposition when defending. Same is also evident with the likes of Dalot and Rashford which gives too much space to the opposition and gives them enough time for decision making.
Aggression was one of the most evident in the win against Liverpool as united romped to their first win of the season. But these were nonexistent in the first two games against Brentford and Brighton which gave too much space for them to exploit to wreckless effect.
Though there was an improvement in the Southampton game, the energy still wasn't the same and the team once again ended up conceding numerous cheap chances.
The introduction of the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Malacia to the defense has impacted this cause and one can only hope that it rubs off on the others for a long time.
COMPETITION
This is another very important aspect that has been lacking in the United dressing room. The team has been light in numbers in almost all areas of the pitch. From the goalkeeping department, to the defense, midfield and attack. This was one of the reasons Maguire kept on playing even when it was obvious that he was more of a problem than a solution.
Lack of competition in a team usually leads to lack of effort on the part of the available players who know that no matter what happens, they'll still be the first names o the team sheet for the next match.
The attack in particular has been very light in numbers with no adequate competition for the likes of Rashford, Sancho, and Ronaldo in all the three attacking positions. Same was also evident in midfield till Eriksen and Casemiro were brought in.
It is not far from the reason that the like of McTominay has improved markedly since Casemiro was brought in. The United management needs quality reinforcements in the three attacking positions, the right back position, the goalkeeping area and perhaps central attacking midfield.
This will put the players on their toes, knowing they run the risk of dropping to the bench if they don't perform.
UNITY/COHESION
This is arguably the most important on the list. First thing is unity of purpose. There will be no improvement in the fortunes of the team if there's no unity among the players on and off the pitch.
I guess it as a good thing that the like of Paul Pogba was shipped off with his bad energy and unnecessary publicity especially the one currently brewing between him and his brother.
Cohesion on the field of play is a function of unity off it and the dedication and practice on the training field. In the pressing system that ETH is trying to implement at the club, it is very pertinent that the players learn to play with each other and how to press as a unit in order not to leave spaces for the opposing team to exploit.
If the press is not properly coordinated and the opposition breaks the first line of press, it then opens up spaces in the second line to be exploited that if properly utilized can expose the defense. The whole team needs to learn how to press as a unit and not just as individual players, while also being ready to sacrifice for each other.
DEDICATION
There has been so much emphasis on the lack of genuine quality in the team for some seasons now which the management have obviously gone about trying to salvage. So far it might not be at the required standard needed to compete for the biggest titles, but there's definitely been a big upgrade from the team that floundered last season.
The biggest issue now is that of dedication and the willingness to play for the club. This is where the acquisition of Lisandro, Malacia and even Antony looks spot on. These players seem ready to fight for the shirt. Personally I've always been an advocate of youngsters and budding talent who wants an opportunity and are ready to step up to the big time.
Having players who are dedicated to the club and fully believe in the project and the coach's system and ideas is a big need for any team, especially one like United's who are trying to dig themselves out of a pit and return to the big time.
I know every United fan must be hoping that the new project succeeds and doesn't end up like those of previous mangers. The signs look promising so far and we can only hope that it continues because the most important thing or factor for this project is for the team to string together a good run of wins.
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