If Manchester United want to understand what a well-structured performance looks like, they need only re-watch Tottenham’s 3-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Embed from Getty ImagesErik ten Hag’s tactics came under scrutiny as his side was dismantled by a highly organised and fluid Tottenham side. Ange Postecoglu’s side exploited United’s tactical disorganisation in what was a statement win.
At the heart of Manchester United’s downfall was the lack of cohesion and structure when pressing without the ball. Erik ten Hag’s tactics saw United press with two strikers in a 4-4-2 formation, but this shape consistently broke down. When the wide midfielders advanced to join the press, United shifted into a 4-2-4, leaving their two central midfielders isolated and vulnerable. This left large areas of space that Tottenham repeatedly exploited through quick rotations and dynamic ball movement.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 4-4-2 formation is very risky when not executed properly, and in Manchester United’s case, the press frequently left them outnumbered and disjointed. United’s central pairing— made up of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte—were forced to cover too much ground.
Tottenham capitalised on this imbalance by switching from side to side, stretching United’s defense until gaps inevitably appeared. For example, in one instance, Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro exchanged passes on the right, opening a gap between Marcus Rashford and Mainoo, allowing Dominic Solanke to drop into the space. This quick, intelligent movement caused chaos for United’s backline, and soon, Kulusevski’s third-man run created a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Embed from Getty ImagesTottenham’s disciplined positional play and high-intensity pressing served as the perfect counterpoint to United’s disorganisation, highlighting the fundamental flaws in Ten Hag’s tactical setup. United’s inability to adapt during the match only worsened their struggles.
Ten Hag needs to rethink his approach, particularly against teams that press high and move the ball quickly. The question remains whether he can adapt his tactics to get the best out of his players, or whether United will continue to falter against well-organised opponents. With key matches on the horizon, the pressure is mounting.
Written by Isabelle Newnham
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