Man United’s defending must improve to keep season on track،
The debate around Manchester United and the way they defend was best summed up in the post-match press conferences which followed Everton's 2-0 defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday.
“I've never had so many chances here,” Everton boss Sean Dyche said, insisting his side did not deserve to be victim to an “unfair” result. Erik ten Hag replied: “They are low quality chances.” It was the manager speaking for “let’s agree to disagree.”
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Ten Hag wanted to focus on a victory which would ease the pressure on his job following back-to-back Premier League defeats to Fulham and Manchester City. Dyche, meanwhile, was looking for positives after an 11th consecutive league game without a win, citing Everton's 23 shots as proof they had “done everything right” except finding the net.
Everton don't score goals – they are the third highest scorer in the division – but United usually concede a lot of shots. So far this season they have faced 468 shots on goal, a number surpassed only by bottom side Sheffield United, who have conceded 503. It has been a theme since the start of the campaign, when Wolves have managed 23 shots at Old Trafford. opening weekend.
In United's last 10 league matches, their opponents have managed a total of 185 shots; for comparison, Arsenal and Manchester City have only faced 232 in the Premier League all season. Even Newport County, 13th in League Two, managed 17 shots in their FA Cup tie with United in January.
Last season, Ten Hag's first at the club, United faced 482 shots in 38 Premier League matches, at a rate of 12.6 per game. This season that figure has risen to 16.7 shots per game, and in 10 games (against Manchester City twice, Everton twice, Wolves, Newcastle, Liverpool West Ham, Aston Villa and Luton) they have faced 20 or more.
Ten Hag has always said that part of the problem is injuries, particularly to his team's defenders. He's had to cut and modify his back four far more than last season, affecting what he calls defensive “routines,” which become second nature to defenders who play together regularly.
United have used 11 different centre-back combinations in their 39 games this season, with Jonny Evans and Raphaël Varane (seven times) partnered most often. This stands in stark contrast to last season, when Ten Hag chose Varane and Lisandro Martínez as their preferred partner, using them together 22 times. Martinez has barely played this season due to injury, starting just five games alongside Varane.
The left side of the defense posed a particular problem due to injuries to regular left backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Shaw has been limited to just 15 appearances, while Malacia will likely miss the entire campaign; in their place, Ten Hag were forced to use Victor Lindelöf, Sofyan Amrabat and Diogo Dalot out of position. Sergio Reguilón, on loan from Tottenham as emergency cover last summer, was allowed to leave in January. (Ten Hag was frustrated with the situation at the time of Reguilón's departure. “In December I had discussions internally, with the medical and performance reviews. [staff]and they assured me that they [Shaw and Malacia] will both be fit in January.”)
The situation isn't going to improve anytime soon either, with Shaw probably not returning until May.
Ten Hag admits United haven't defended as well as last season when they recorded 17 clean sheets in the Premier League – three more than any other team – but their defensive numbers are relatively similar. United have conceded 39 goals in 28 league matches this season, compared to 37 goals at the same stage last campaign.
The Man United manager will also argue that the number of shots the opposing teams shoot doesn't matter as long as the ball doesn't end up in the net. United's 3-0 home win over West Ham in February was relatively comfortable despite the visitors' 23 shots, while Everton managed 24 at Goodison Park in November and still lost 3-0.
The way Ten Hag organized his team defensively for much of the season – determined in part by the players he had available – invited opponents to take shots on goal. After the win over Everton on Saturday, Ten Hag said he had players “who feel comfortable defending low” and therefore suited a different approach to Manchester City and Arsenal, who like to defend high up the pitch .
Teams that play with a high defensive line need pace at the back, and Ten Hag spent the majority of the season playing Evans, Lindelof and Harry Maguire. Evans has been one of United's best players during an otherwise disappointing campaign, but at 36, speed is not his best asset.
Ten Hag's approach is unlikely to change between now and the end of the season, which means facing more penalties while trying to limit teams to difficult chances, placing many defenders in and around the penalty area to interfere. United's outfield players have blocked 145 shots this season, more than any other team, while only four goalkeepers have made more saves than Andre Onana's 104. Onana seems gradually more comfortable after a difficult start to his career at United.
The question, however, is whether it is sustainable to allow opponents to shoot so often.
Liverpool arrive at Old Trafford for their FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday – stream LIVE, 11:20 a.m. ET, ESPN+ (U.S. only) – having taken more shots in the Premier League than any other team this season, and only once have they failed to score, against United at Anfield in December. That day, Liverpool went 34 shots without scoring, and afterwards Jurgen Klopp praised United's “clean and passionate” defending.
Ten Hag will need the same thing this weekend to keep them out again.
