In each instalment of The Devil’s in the Detail we’ll be breaking down one key detail, statistic, or piece of analysis – discussing why it’s important, its effect on United and what the Reds can do to address it.
It’s hard to defend Harry Maguire at the moment. The United captain has repeatedly turned in questionable performances and looks a shadow of the player he was last season. That said, some of his individual statistics suggest that United’s problems shouldn’t be laid solely at his door.
One or two remarkable stats tell the story of Maguire’s difficult spell, but this one stands out. According to Opta, United’s skipper has been dribbled past 11 times this season, more than any other defender in the league (via MEN).
Why is this important?
There’s no doubting that this is important – and that it signals a ‘bad patch’ of form for Maguire. But that bad patch has already dragged on a long time though. The England international has looked uncomfortable at club level since the start of the season.
Opta also reports that Maguire has made more ball recoveries (119) this season than either Ruben Dias (97), or Arsenal’s touted youngster, Gabriel (96). He has a higher tackle success than Rudiger or Gabriel, suggesting that he still has something to offer the team, if used in the right way.
At times it’s been Maguire’s positioning – and that of his team mates – that has left him exposed and led to his being dribbled past. There’s also the inescapable fact that he’s not exactly fleet of foot. However, he wasn’t any faster last season, so what’s changed?
Partly, it’s Ralf Rangnick’s changes to Manchester United’s playstyle. While the team isn’t exactly gegenpressing to perfection, (far from it,) there is a new and increased emphasis on the team pressing opponents higher up the pitch. This can leave United more stretched and make it easier for the opposition to play the ball in behind.
How does it affect United?
The effect on United is, of course, even more defensive vulnerability. Maguire has hit poor form at the same time as any number of his team-mates – Aaron Wan Bissaka and Luke Shaw to name just two.
However, our midfield lacks form, cohesion and organisation too. This became abundantly clear against Manchester City at the weekend, if it hadn’t been before. While Rangnick’s reds have only lost twice, to Wolves and City, the performances have often been unconvincing. Now, moving into a period of high pressure games against the likes of Spurs and Atletico Madrid, United’s defensive fragilities are even more of a worry.
But the question remains, is Maguire a cause of those fragilities, or a symptom? Rangnick’s change of shape and tactics seems to have left him particularly exposed. Fans, however, need only cast their minds back to the Euros to remember Maguire as a much more capable defender.
The fact Maguire has been dribbled past more times than any other Premier League defender is damning, yes. But it might say more about the team as a whole than it does about Maguire as an individual.
We know, for example, that United are far from the hardest workers in the league. Ralph Hasenhuttl called out our lack of “reverse gears” in an unusual post match press conference. We’re also comfortably in the bottom half of the table for distance covered (TheAnalyst.com). That leaves Maguire less protection and gifts opposition players more opportunities to run at him. Opportunities that players don’t get against most other, harder working and better organised Premier League teams. Something that Gary Neville reminded fans on his Sky Sports podcast.
“We see most teams in the Premier League and I have to say that every single one of them work hard, they’re compact, they have a gameplan. When we’ve watched Manchester United, from the beginning of the season […] the warning signs were there.”
Gary Neville on The Gary Neville Podcast for Sky Sports
What’s the solution?
Victor Lindelof has been one of United’s few consistent performers this season. He’s stepped up and repeatedly put in good performances, as experienced team-mates around him failed to do the same. He’s more agile, adaptable and faster than Maguire. A pairing of Lindelof and Raphael Varane may be on the cards when the Frenchman returns from injury.
The alternative solution, if Rangnick remains keen for Maguire to be captain and feature in the starting 11, would be to use a structure that left him less exposed. United’s new – if half-hearted – emphasis on pressing means that there are often fewer bodies in the midfield to effectively screen the defence. Could we experiment with a five at the back? Or a more defensive midfield structure?
Most fans seem to agree, United haven’t taken well to Rangnick’s much-touted gegenpress formula. That unsuccessful adaptation suggests that a more counter-attacking style, not dissimilar to that used by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, may be a better way to get the most out of this season and secure a top four spot.
The other glaring issue that factors heavily in United’s defensive make-up, is the lack of an experienced and well-rounded defensive midfielder.
An impassioned Roy Keane expressed his feelings on the issue.
“Anybody who thinks Fred is good enough to play for Manchester United is living in cuckoo land,”
Keane told Sky Sports following Manchester United’s 2-0 home defeat to Manchester City back in November.
Four months and one transfer window later, United still have the same limited midfield options. An ageing Matic, an inexperienced McTominay and an inconsistent Fred. Plus Paul Pogba who, talented as he is, rarely looks interested in defending.
Compare those options to the midfielders that sat in-front of Maguire when he excelled for England – Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips – and it’s easy to see that United’s defensive problems are about team chemistry, rather than one player.