September 2nd 2024.
Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves did not hold back in his criticism of manager Erik ten Hag's tactics during their recent match against Liverpool. Hargreaves described one particular tactic as "crazy" and pointed to it as a major factor in United's 3-0 loss to the Reds on Sunday.
The game saw Liverpool's Luis Diaz score twice and Mohamed Salah add another goal, leading Arne Slot's team to a comfortable victory at Old Trafford. The manner in which United were defeated once again put Ten Hag's tactics under scrutiny, as all three goals came as a result of United losing possession in the middle of the field and being outnumbered.
Hargreaves specifically highlighted the absence of full-back Noussair Mazraoui for Diaz's opening goal, suggesting that it was "crazy" for Ten Hag to have his full-backs pushed so high up the pitch against a dangerous Liverpool front three. He commented, "The first goal was a result of a poor pass from Casemiro, but the full-backs should not have been in such advanced positions against Liverpool. It's simply crazy!"
The former United player shared his thoughts on the Kelly and Wrighty Show, stating, "And that's on the manager. Mazraoui should have been at the back post, but instead, Diaz had an easy tap-in." Hargreaves believed that Ten Hag's instructions to his players to push forward when in possession ultimately backfired, as they were unable to maintain possession against Liverpool's high press.
Mazraoui's positioning was not the only issue that Hargreaves addressed, as he also criticized the overall tactics of the team. He explained, "But again, that's on the manager because he is saying 'when we get the ball, you go high'. But you can only go high when you have good possession, and United did not have that, especially with all three of Liverpool's goals."
After the match, Liverpool boss Arne Slot shared his insights on his team's performance and how they were able to exploit United's vulnerabilities. He revealed that his analysts had identified key areas where United were susceptible and that his midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai played a crucial role in executing their game plan.
Slot also discussed the differences in United's midfield tactics compared to the previous season, noting that they now utilize a 4-4-2 formation with a number 9 and 10 pressing, as opposed to man-marking in the midfield as they did last season. He also highlighted the importance of having midfielders who were not only able to run but also aggressive enough to win their battles against United's players.
In conclusion, Hargreaves' criticism of Ten Hag's tactics and Slot's insights into Liverpool's game plan shed light on the factors that contributed to United's defeat against Liverpool. It was a disappointing result for United, but it serves as a lesson for Ten Hag and his team to reassess their tactics going forward.
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