Following Manchester United’s recent 2-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, former goalkeeper Tim Howard has offered insights into the midfield challenges plaguing the team under Erik ten Hag’s management.
The defeat against Tottenham comes on the heels of an unconvincing victory over Wolves in the season’s opener, where United secured a win but displayed vulnerabilities in midfield.
Howard has pinpointed a key issue in United’s midfield dynamics, highlighting the need to find a suitable partner for Casemiro, the central midfielder around whom the team’s play revolves.
The absence of an effective midfield partnership was glaring in both matches, leaving Casemiro exposed and struggling to manage the midfield battles. Howard commented, “When we look last season, it was Casemiro plus Fred or plus McTominay. He’s trying to have him play on his own, I don’t know if that’s quite working out.”
Former Premier League defender Robbie Mustoe further elaborated on the intricacies of modern-day football’s midfield dynamics. He explained the trend of utilizing two attacking No.8 players with a holding midfielder, creating a double pivot when the team is in possession.
However, the problem arises during transitions, when neither team has the ball. This transitional phase exposes the vulnerability of the single holding midfielder, as players like Casemiro are left isolated, particularly when the full-backs are caught between supporting midfield and moving to their designated positions.
Mustoe proposed that finding the right partner for Casemiro could potentially solve this issue. The role of players like Luke Shaw in providing insurance during transitions is vital, as they can step into midfield to maintain stability.
He also highlighted the challenges posed by certain players in the team who struggle to retain possession, which can disrupt the team’s rhythm and leave the midfield exposed when turnovers occur.
The insightful analysis by Howard and Mustoe underscores the complex tactical considerations that United must address to ensure a balanced and effective midfield setup. As the team navigates the ongoing season, finding the appropriate strategies to reinforce their midfield dynamics will be pivotal to their success.