Manchester United's manager Erik Ten Hag raised eyebrows with his incredible all attack formation when the Red Devils lineup for their Sunday afternoon clash with Southampton was announced.
Erik Ten Hag showcased his tactical tweaks again on Sunday afternoon as he dropped Fred from the starting lineup to make space for Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Antony and Marcus Rashford while Wout Weghorst surprisingly starred at his usual number 9 role. It showed Erik Ten Hag was all about ready to exploit the saints weak defense which has shipped in 41 goals in 25 league games but an unlucky Casemiro's sending off changed the much anticipated results.
Erik Ten Hag pushed Bruno Fernandes into a deeper role, expecting him to carry out injured Christian Eriksen's duties while Jadon Sancho assume the number 10 role in Manchester United's attack.
It was evidently looking to go the way the Dutch tactician had anticipated prior naming the starting eleven, as the Red Devils kept the pressure on their visitors going close to scoring thrice in the opening thirty minutes until Casemiro's red card happened. While they ensured that the disadvantage of being a man down didn't have much adverse effect on the scoreline, Jadon Sancho was quickly to show Erik Ten Hag what he could offer when given a shot at the number 10.
Jadon Sancho has been under fire since his mega deal switch from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund. The 22 year old hasn't been able to rekindle the form he was known for at the Signal Iduna Park as critics target him due to his heavy price tag.
The filthy skilled attacker has featured mainly as a winger since he arrived at Old Trafford and has failed to live up to the hype surrounding his arrival, however, Erik Ten Hag played him as at the play making role in Manchester United's quadriant attack in the 3-0 win over Leicester City back in February and the number 25 delivered an excellent performance and getting a goal in 45 minutes.
The Peoples person has insisted in their article that Jadon Sancho's best moments in Manchester United's shirt has all came when he was played in the central role “Looking at Sancho’s best moments this season, what is immediately apparent is that they mostly happen in central areas. His delightful shimmy in a crowded Liverpool penalty area, his clever pass out to the flank in the build up to Bruno Fernandes’ winner over Southampton, his line-breaking run to slot home against Leicester – these moments all showcased the Englishman’s agility in finding space in crowded central areas," they articulated.
Erik Ten Hag was quite confident in the England international and cited times when the 22 year old has excelled at the number 10 role
“I think he did quite well as a number ten,” said Ten Hag of the former Borussia Dortmund star’s performance.
“Like he did against Barcelona and Leicester. He was really decisive against Leicester and also today with some really good actions."
"One time, he was really close to the goal with a run at the defending line and a cross to Bruno almost came there. He did a good job," Erik Ten Hag empahsized.
“I think he can make the difference when we play three against two in the midfield."
“And that is not bad when you have Casemiro and Bruno and you have Jadon Sancho," he asserted.
He proved Erik Ten Hag was right with his decision of giving him the nod at the number 10 role with a good performance while he lasted 73 minutes on the pitch. By the time he was substituted in the 73rd minute, Jadon Sancho had doubled his tally for successful dribbles, won seven duels, created a big chance, and achieved a 94% passing accuracy this season according to SofaScore.
Statman Dave also showed the 22 year old's deligent contributions defensively at half time. He made 8 ball recoveries, most most final passes completed, won 3/4 of his tackles and completed 2/3 of his dribbles which was more than any other Man United's player on the pitch at half time.
While the experiment can't be categorically termed a failure due to the circumstance that occured during the course of the match, Jadon Sancho showed positive and encouraging signs that he's still got that touch in him but needs a better set up to express himself and get the team forward.
Erik Ten Hag meanwhile was not far from recreating a replica of his last mid field trident which he worked with at Ajax before getting appointed as Man United's manager. As indicated by the peoples person; Casemiro is the destroyer, Bruno Fernandes the creative passer while Jadon Sancho is the ball carrier. A replica of Edison Alvarez, Ryan Gravenberch and former winger Steven Berghuis at Eredivisie giants, FC Ajax.
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