Clustered with notes across a beam of lines, music scores are hardly interpretable to the common eye, but the score at Anfield couldn’t have symphonized any clearer. 5 goals down, yet an air of anticipation hung over the desperate United crowd.
Like a swelling crescendo, the crowd’s annoyance rose with every pass strung by Liverpool. The rhythm shifted into a staccato when McTominay recovered possession, bringing a momentary relief. As he took his time, with more rests than beats, he found himself engulfed in a symphonic press, eventually surrendering possession.
Murmurs drowns the deafening cheers as United’s rhythm got entangled in their own staccato, again.
Erik ten Hag has brought his own melody to the tunes of Old Trafford, restoring the voice it once lost. An aggressive backline, a structured press, a balanced strike force, yet United’s only reliable outlet at goal remains the direct transition, cutting through teams in a matter of seconds. Manchester United made the most through-balls in the league this season, with 105.
Everything seems to point United at the right direction, with Ten Hag seemingly figuring out the perfect symphony with the Red Devils, but I somehow find myself clenching my ass for most second halves United have played this season. Squeaky bum time has never been this prevalent in my own journey as a fan.
Ball Retention as an Art
The midfield speaks to the technical base of the team and the orchestra of their side’s possession game. Have a look at Man City and you’d get the idea of the solid foundations built around Rodri, Stones, Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne. With United, it’s vastly different.
A midfield option of Bruno, Casemiro, Eriksen, Fred, McTominay and Sabitzer. Physical machines that’d graft through games with hard running and tough tackling, whilst deciding games with incisive creativity. But as fatigue mounts in this unforgiving schedule, their physical gifts no longer compensate for their limited technical ceiling.
All of a sudden, the orchestra fails to find its rhythm and the team subsequently falls out of tune. It exposes their lack of game management and composure that forces United to surrender control cheaply, whilst pushing the defensive block deeper every minute. Ball retention therefore reflects an important element that United lack.
The first pass upon recovering possession sets the tone immediately. United’s approach involves quick releases in attempt to catch defensive lines off guard, yet there are moments when retaining possession establishes control.
“Retention Rate” refers to the “Pass Success Rate after Recovering Possession”. The table above shows the inconsistency in ball retention with United’s midfield. Eriksen, Fred and Sabitzer starts games well but eventually get erratic as the game progresses into the second half. Casemiro and McTominay as the deepest midfielders with greater responsibility in ball security not achieving the standards in first halves, but shoring things up in the second. Ironically, it’s the player lambasted for his ball retention, that is the most consistent within the two halves.
Amongst United’s 3 starting midfielders, Bruno has the highest Retention Rate (75.5%), which speaks volumes to United’s ability to recycle play effectively. Granted United’s midfield were given specific instructions to take advantage of their ability on the break, the lack of composure is still worrying.
Captain Fantastic
Bruno’s performances this season has proven to be invaluable to the side. He relinquishes output for the exuberance of his creative brilliance as the playmaker, crafting the most chances (119) in the league. His role requires regular risk-taking so having a 75.5% retention rate is somewhat respectable, though there are times when his decision making would have me shake my head in disbelief.
Nevertheless, his ability to create something out of absolutely nothing leaves me speechless sometimes. The sort of passes he attempts are reflected in his Post-Recovery Pass Map.
Amongst the passes he makes after recovering the ball, 11.5% of them are Progressive. But it’s not the sheer numbers that make him valuable, rather the types of forward passes that gets fans out of their seat. He regularly attempts line breaking passes through the midfield, sometimes from his own half to pick out attackers in the transition. A couple of which even finds its way into the penalty box, crafting out big chances for his strikers.
It’s his constant perseverance that stands him out from the rest, always looking to leverage United’s speed in the attack and so often reaping the rewards.
The Casemiro Conundrum
For the longest time, United had longed for the perfect pivot partner to compliment Paul Pogba. And in the most United way, they’ve finally signed an elite ball winner the season Pogba left. Nonetheless, it was a void that needed filling, and Casemiro’s transformative effect transcends beyond his work on the pitch. His infectious yet competitive nature has restored the vigour that appear to be lacking in this United squad.
That said, there seems to be an exaggeration on his ability in possession. Despite his ability to make long range diagonals, Casemiro has never been a consistent tempo setter. Perhaps his Post-Recovery Pass Map illustrates his strengths perfectly.
Amongst players with over 20 games played, only 3 other players completed more Recoveries per 90 than Casemiro’s 8.69. It speaks volumes to the Brazilian’s defensive nous and his ability to break up play. He blends positional intelligence with fearless resolve to regain possession consistently in the defensive third and executing crucial interventions inside the box.
But the issues occur the minute he retrieves it. In a position where you’d expect composure, he gives the ball away 27% of the times upon recovering it. Yet of the passes that are completed, 76% of them are forward passes. This proves Casemiro’s eagerness to take risks immediately after recovering the ball, by finding his forwards. Much like his character, he takes the initiative to start attacks. But for a team without a defined midfield structure, his eagerness brings more panic than protection.
With somebody more reliable playing alongside him, perhaps the burden will be lifted from Casemiro. Eriksen and Fred has rotated but neither are the most composed of tempo setters nor are they comfortable dictating play from deep.
Mount Bound?
With all the talk on Mason Mount’s potential move to Manchester, I thought it’d make sense to take a look at his retention rate to analyse his suitability to United’s long-term goals. Obviously, there’s plenty more aspects to look into, but considering the desperate need for a calming influence in United’s midfield, could Mount be the orchestrator who brings harmony to the chaos?
Caveat his limited playing time this season, Mount’s Retention Rate would’ve been top at United. Looking closely at the location of his recoveries, he appears to be all over the pitch — a further testament to his defensive work rate.
He seems to understand the game well enough to not rush balls forwards, sometimes opting a safer alternative when it comes to ball security. Yet can be incredibly decisive with his passes when the opportunity opens up for him.
78% Retention Rate is respectable, but it’s perhaps short off what United need in the current set-up. Though, the technical base of the team will be given a needed upgrade, you’re looking at an average of Retention Rate of 75.6%, if Mount joins. But of course, this is merely one aspect of his game. There’s plenty more he could bring to the team given the right set-up next season.
For £80m, this could yet be another big money signing as United once again turn to the transfer market to solve yet another issue with their midfield.
However expensive, this remains an issue that demands resolutions if United is to harmonize with Ten Hag’s symphony — A symphony without any disruptive staccato.
