Man United are a much more pressing team this season compared to the previous campaign, as the numbers below demonstrate (h/t Sky Sports).
On the one hand, it might seem that the change is positive. However, some fans believe this transformation is the reason why Manchester United are so vulnerable on the pitch.
htomufc: "No wonder we look knackered and leggy every other game. Doing less is more if we learn how to control the game better — stop forcing these pressing moments and start using the ball to save energy and wear down the opposition."
JakeyChappers: "But if we could finish, those stats would be why we’d be winning. Those stats are why we create multiple chances."
AlamzyKhalifa: "We want to play like prime Liverpool but we’re not recruiting like that and it’s not helping at all."
BioIogist: "Exactly. We constantly lose possession because of Bruno's wonderballs which means we have to press every two minutes and our players are knackered by the second half. This is also why we have so many injuries. We need to retain possession."
Tactx_: "United are pressing more but the patterns and co-ordination still need a LOT of work. Hojlund will add a lot to this. He wants to work and wants to press. The triggers and patterns can be set from the pressure that he sets at the top of the pitch."
Scoutsourced: "These stats should be calculated per 100 possessions. High possession and high pressing is positive. Low possession and high pressing is not. Man United just give the ball away a lot."
dukedfs: "Every top team in Europe has a massive possession and positional advantage over opponents. There isn’t a single press AND counter-attack team that is sniffing winning a league let alone Champions League. Hopefully, this is step 1 in the evolution to a new system"
Jack Lynch: "I do think in the long term though it will be beneficial, eventually we’ll have to press to a high standard to compliment Ten Hag’s evolution of the side."
