SCOTT McTOMINAY has become one of the first names on Manchester United’s team-sheet.
The absence of the midfielder’s defensive skills possibly forced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer into picking a back-three – and that played into Sheffield United’s hands.
Manchester United lost the midfield battle at Bramall LaneCredit: Getty – Contributor
The problem that arose – and it happened throughout the first half – was Fred and Andreas Pereira came up against three midfielders who have built up a really strong understanding.
Oliver Norwood, John Fleck and John Lundstram brilliantly controlled the game for the Blades it was difficult for United to get out in the first half.
Man Utd should have – but didn’t – look to stretch the Blades’ back-three with passes in behind.
Too often the visitors played out from the back and were caught inside their own half by the hosts.
The Blades were different class.
Last season they played more of a 3-4-1-2 formation, but Chris Wilder made a tactical tweak because he knew his side would not dominate possession in the Premier League like they did in the Championship.
Lundstram has already played more this season that he did in the last one and that is because the Blades now have an extra midfielder in their 3-5-2 system.
Norwood acts as a deep-lying playmaker and gives Lundstram and Fleck the insurance to burst forward.
For the Blades’ opener, it was Lundstram’s initial effort that led to Fleck’s strike.
Lundstram and Fleck have effortlessly adjusted to the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
I say they play with ‘organised chaos’ in the way they their centre-backs go forward to support in wide areas and become second wing-backs.
If an opposition centre-back and full-back get dragged out wide, then a midfielder has to come over to help.
And that’s how the Blades create space – because it’s not necessarily about where the ball is.
Fred and Pereira were continually dragged into wide areas for the first hour, leaving United light in midfield.
Centre-back Phil Jones was sacrificed at the break so United could get a grip on the game by bringing on Jesse Lingard in midfield.
United switched to 4-2-3-1, with Fred and Pereira holding to protect centre-backs Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof.
Man Utd then attacked with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Dan James and Lingard, supported by their full-backs.
Solskjaer’s side expressed themselves and it had a real effect. They found space in the No.10 area, with Martial, Rashford and James stretching the game with their pace.
That caused Sheff Utd’s back three to drop, with their midfield three pushing up to stop Pereira and Fred getting on the ball.
So Man Utd were left with extra space and Lingard used his intelligence to get into it.
But Sheff Utd showed unbelievable character to level after going 3-2 down.
Collectively they are so strong. They press as a unit and very rarely are players isolated.
Every player is consistently in the right position and that is not luck – it is due to hard work on the training pitch.
Chris Wilder would have to be up there as Manager of the Year – so far.
Chris Wilder will be a huge contender for Manager of the YearCredit: Getty – Contributor
He continually gets the best out of his players, a lot of who have been on this journey since the club’s days in League One.
In contrast, Man Utd have a squad of players brought to the club by Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho.
Solskjaer need time and stability to put his own imprint on the club, which will take at least three more transfer windows.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Ed Woodward have heated discussion ahead of Man United clash with Sheffield United
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
