Man United have struggled so far this season and the poor midfield set-up has been an obvious weakness in Erik ten Hag's side.
Manchester United have still made a better start to the season than they did a year ago but expectations are higher now and it's perplexing as to how the team is looking so disjointed going into Erik ten Hag's second season. This is meant to be the year the club kicks on and starts to make a challenge for the title. It's an inauspicious start if that remains the case.
Ten Hag got his top target Mason Mount this summer and he wants the midfielder to play a proactive role and bring energy to his side. In the opening matches, Mount has been told to push high up the pitch, basically alongside Bruno Fernandes, to provide another attacking outlet and initiate the press.
Made popular by Manchester City in their treble triumph and since also copied by Liverpool and Arsenal, Ten Hag has tried to implement the 'inverted-full-back' role. The task has fallen to Luke Shaw and, in theory, when United have possession Shaw should move in field to partner Casemiro with the remaining defenders forming a back three to cover.
Instead what has repeatedly happened is United have sloppily lost the ball when Mount and Fernandes have been high up leaving a massive gap in midfield, Shaw has been caught out between positions, leaving both exposed, and United have been vulnerable to quick transitions. On top of all that, it also takes Shaw off the flanks where he is so good at getting forward and posing an attacking threat.
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