In the 24th round of the 21-22 Premier League season, Manchester United challenged the league deputy squad leader Burnley. It was a great opportunity for the Red Devils to consolidate the top 4, but in the end they suddenly fell into a slump in the second half and were equalized by Burnley. After scoring one point, United handed over the 4th place. The results are bitter, but the hope remains.
After the game, Manchester United's very different performance in the first and second halves triggered a heated discussion among fans. In the three months since Lonnick took over, United's starting line-up has been changing. Lonnick instilled a new tactical style of play almost every time, but almost every time there was a genre. New tactical playing styles often give Manchester United new hopes, and the scene was once proactive. But once the opponents made a change and Lonnick clearly lacked a way to deal with it, United returned to the same old way, and so did the game.
In the first half, Burnley did not take a high-pressing style of play, but fought hard in midfield, hoping to limit Pogba +B Fee's double core with a tough defense. But United have been very effective in their response, focusing on the flanks and pulling away the width. The left side took advantage of Sancho's breakthrough and Luke Shaw's combination to open the situation, while the right side relied on Rashford's speed to impact. As a result, Burnley was unable to concentrate his forces on the middle of the road, but the two flanks were frequently torn apart, especially Sancho and Luke Shaw on the left.
At half-time, United had 63 percent possession of the ball, creating 5 of 12 shots on goal. In addition to being blown up twice, United players have also wasted good opportunities on many occasions, especially Edinson Cavani's header in front of goal. Burnley scored 0 shots in the entire first half, only 1 corner, and goalkeeper Pope made four saves at half-time, laying the foundation for a counterattack in the second half.
In the second half, Sean Deich summed up in time and took the initiative to change the team! Burnley began to step up the scramble on the flanks to suppress United's two-wing attack. In addition, Burnley stepped up the pressing force in the front. At the same time, Wighorst's fulcrum role was used to focus on the area between Maguire and McTominay. To be honest, this move has been used by many of United's opponents before and has been tried and tested. This one move not only infinitely magnified Maguire's slow short board of turning back and chasing back, but also completely exposed the 2 major shortcomings of Manchester United back Scott McTominay!
In this game, Fred was injured, and Lonnick started with Scott McTominay as Pogba's partner. With little pressure from Burnley in the first half and a side-by-side tie-in, McTominay could play with his own characteristics of advancing the ball. But in the second half, Burnley stepped up his defense and McTominay's shortcomings began to be pinched. One is the judgment and selection of the defense; the other is the speed of the chase.
In the second half, Scott McTominay had lost his defensive position more than once, and it was from which United's goal conceded. Before Rodriguez scored, Scott McTominay had conceded two positions in front and behind the pitch. His chase not only did not complete the block, but affected Maguire's upshot. The latter is no longer realistic to want to chase back, and can only witness Rodriguez single-handedly breaking the goal.
In addition, McTominay is physically strong, but his defense has a much-criticized shortcoming. Once the opponent is in front, his chase is basically just a show. Rarely see him chase back with all his might, more is watching the other party advance. Sometimes, we can even see B Fee struggling to chase back the steal, while Scott McTominay is also slowly defending.
Pogba is back, McTominay can do it, Pogba can not only do it, but can do it better. Therefore, Fred is Pogba's more suitable partner, but Fred's ability is also not up to the role.
United didn't reinforce the back position in this winter window, which seems to be a bit of a broken jar. But this summer window, this position must be strengthened. United lack a back that can stand at the back, with speed, hardness and a back that delivers the ball. Rice doesn't fall into this category and is too expensive! Ndidi, Joan Ameni, who are willing to do dirty work.