In a "poke" battle, Manchester United won 4-2 away to United, smiling at the "Rose Derby". Judging from the actual course of the game, Lonnick and Bielsa had a wonderful tactical game: Lonnick completed a more effective "first-hand deployment", and Bielsa's counterattack effect in a desperate situation was equally outstanding. In a 2-2 stalemate, Lonnick relied on more backhands on the bench, made effective adjustments, and ultimately cashed in on the victory.
In addition to the managerial game, the performance of many Manchester United players is also commendable. Lindelof, Pogba, B Fee, Sancho, Fred and others have all played their part.
[Lin Huang "wears No. 2" tonight, his homework is very critical]
As we all know, Leeds United is a very special Premier League team: regardless of the strength of the opponent, their high pressing and rapid attack strategy, insisting on the same. For United to complete an effective organisation, the backcourt has to be better delivered forward. After all, the double-high back is prone to problems under the pressure of the opponent's rate.
It was not Maguire who dominated the backcourt forward, but Lindelof. He completed 37 successful passes in this game, including 21 forward passes. More critically, his passing goals are very directional: B fee is the most passed by him (6 times), followed by Maguire, De Gea, Sancho (all 4 times).
Figure 1+2+3: Lindelof's long-distance contact in the first half
After receiving the ball at the back, Lindelof's shot quality in the advance was very high, and he could find his teammates in front of him continuously. According to sofascore statistics, he has successfully passed 7 of his 12 long passes in this game, which is very good.
More crucially, he has a good control of the "node" of the ball, advancement and forward insertion in the backcourt, and participated in the goal of Manchester United.
Figure 4+5: Lindelof pushed into the opposing half twice, both creating a threatening attack
Seizing the increasing opportunity of Leeds United to force the "loophole" from a high position, Lindelof's premise impact effect is outstanding. This similar advance has created a chance for Manchester United to shoot on goal. In the case of Lingard's average performance, Lindelof is more like "Lin Huang" in this game.
[Bielsa's desperate situation adjustment, "accidental" equalization is well documented]
Bielsa, who was 2-0 at halftime, "fought", and in the case of Koch's injury in the first half, he used up the last two substitutions after half-time. More critically, Leeds United's high-level pressing "level" and confrontation in the second half have been upgraded.
Figure 6: Leeds United's high pressing effect after the start of the second half
From a statistical point of view, they completed 19 counter-attacks, 4 steals (7 attempts) and 6 interceptions (4 at Manchester United half) in the first 20 minutes of the second half. They can then score two goals in a row in a minute, starting with a quick transition after a break.
Figure 7+8: Leeds United's two goals in the second half
[Increased mobility, Lonnick grasped the problem of Leeds United]
In the 2-2 draw, Lonnick made effective adjustments, and the appearance of Fred and Erlanga maximized the running ability of United on both ends of the attack and defense. The most direct manifestation of this is that we can look at Fred's goal.
Figure 9: Two similar lateral passes, this time with Fred's edge
In Figure 5 above, after Lindelof completed an effective advance, United completed the lateral pass, and Ronaldo handed the ball to Sancho, whose shot was blocked out of the bottom line. But this time Fred scored, after Fred finished the lateral pass, he quickly completed the reverse set, allowing Sancho to send the pass. Fred exploded from a tight angle and broke through the gate guarded by Meslier.
Let's take a look at the panorama of Fred's goal
Figure 10: A panoramic view of Fred's goal
The starting point of this attack is B Fei's active steal, and then Elanga takes the defender away by running, allowing B Fei to contact C Ronaldo. After the latter crossed Fred, his cooperation with Sancho gave him a chance to explode from a small range.
【Conclusion】
After a 4-2 win, United won two straight Premier League games, four points ahead of West Ham. Although Arsenal, Wolves and Tottenham Hotspur behind them all have a number of make-up advantages, it is very crucial for Manchester United to temporarily retain the fourth position. Meanwhile, ahead of the Champions League knockout match against Atletico in midweek, the Red Devils used a win to boost confidence and preparation.
More crucially, Lindelof's operation in the 64th minute of the second half has a certain "correlation" with Fred's goal. That brings us to Lonnick's adjustment under a 2-2 draw.