Five games, two wins, three losses, and numerous players given a chance as Manchester United completed their pre-season with a 0-3 loss vs Liverpool.
Across three countries, five different teams were played all at varying degrees of readiness and player availability.
It is always better to take away learning from a bigger sample size than a single game, especially when that single game has no competitive bearing on the season.
Therefore, as the pre-season is completed, we take a look at the five biggest learnings for the team ahead of the curtain raiser against Manchester City on August 10.
The new game model is here
We picked out “setting a new game model” as a thing to do when United started their pre-season. It was of prime importance as last season clearly showed that the way United played, they weren’t going win many games, let alone dominate.
After five games, it can be said with certainty that the weird philosophy of last season where United pressed high but defended deep is gone.
Erik Ten Hag has favoured a 4-2-4 high press this season where the pressing of the man on the ball is supplemented by other players cutting passing lanes in a coherent structure. Moreover, the whole team presses as a structure instead of one player chasing shadows and leaving gaps behind.
In possession, ball circulation out wide to create overloads before quickly switching the ball to the other side to create one-on-ones has been used to great effect.
Even in losses, United have finally shown a clear way and plan of approaching games which should bode well for competitive games.
A new untouchable
A big beneficiary of the new game model has been Amad, who started this pre-season full of hope and cautious optimism.
Optimism was cautious because the talent of the player has always been recognised but not everything has added up at the right time to give him that breakthrough. Until now.
Amad played a part in all but one game and arguably was the best player in every single one of them. His finish off his left foot into the far corner after cutting inside is already becoming a trademark but unlike Antony, that’s not the only weapon in his arsenal.
He releases the ball at the right moment, has the ability to go out wide on his right foot to whip the ball in, and works extremely well in close spaces with his trickery and agility.
As of now, he’s an untouchable on the team sheet when the XIs are announced on August 10.
The kids are alright!
Ever since Erik ten Hag has taken charge at United, pre-season has become an exercise for fans in predicting the next breakout star.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo have set the path for others to walk on and this time, a couple of standouts look well on their way to doing that.
Toby Collyer was getting all the plaudits even before he had played any senior game for United, competitive or friendly, just due to the assumption that Ten Hag had made him his personal project.
That assumption turned out to be true as he has been one of the most relied-upon players in pre-season. He hasn’t disappointed either, with his destroyer skills and defensive acumen exactly what United need.
Harry Amass has been right alongside him as the next biggest talent. Left-back is a problem position for United due to injuries and the opening is there for Amass to establish himself in the first-team slowly but surely.
He has Shaw’s attributes on the ball but lacks in the defensive phase, something which comes with experience and games.
Other than them, players like Maxi Oyedele and Radek Vitek have impressed enough to earn themselves good loan moves. Overall, the pre-season has been another bonafide win for the talent factory at United.
A matter of urgency
Pre-season laid bare the biggest issue at United, which is a lack of squad depth. It is an open secret that they are open to offers for most of their squad players but their injury situation makes those squad players borderline indispensable.
Therefore, the solution is not to keep buying more players, but to make the injury situation a matter of urgency. United didn’t come out unscathed from any game in the USA, a remarkable record that hammers home that it can’t be sheer bad luck.
They have been more cautious with players this season but combine last season’s nightmare with the start of this, and it’s clear that the issue is deep. Be it something to do with the handling of players or their own lack of preparation, another campaign cannot be allowed to get derailed due to a waiting line at the physio.
Vibe check passed
“Vibes” has almost become a dirty word in football, often used to explain away results that can’t be explained tactically.
However, it is one of the most important factors in the success of a team. In more professional terms, “team morale” and the atmosphere this pre-season has looked good.
One only needs to ask Ralf Rangnick how important a happy group is to get positive results on the pitch and what can happen when that isn’t the case.
Things seemed to be deteriorating last season until the improbable FA Cup win at the end so the hope was that with a new structure, that momentum would be carried forward into this season.
A new coaching staff, some brave ambition by the new executive team, and a culture reset with the injection of young players seems to have done the trick.
Of course, ultimately, results dictate the morale of the team but so far, it looks like Carrington is a happy place to be at for everyone involved.
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