Finally he is set to get his chance and the task is now bigger than ever, with United sitting in the relegation zone and in desperate need of a dramatic turnaround.
asserted
United → set → turnaround
When asked in the summer if pre-season had involved a lot of running, Youri Tielemans replied: “No.
asserted
Tielemans → ask → running
When you come back from the World Cup, you don’t do lots of running.
asserted
you → come → running
He has a long history of getting his players working hard.
asserted
players → have → history
In the 2013-14 season, his Southampton side covered more distance than any Premier League team.
asserted
side → cover → team
That season, Tottenham ranked 20th.
asserted
Tottenham → rank → ?
There is not going to be much chill with Pochettino around
When Pochettino then took over at Spurs the following year, nobody ran further than them over the next four seasons.
asserted
nobody → be → seasons
That continued at Stamford Bridge.
asserted
That → continue → Bridge
Pochettino’s Chelsea team ranked in the top 10% for all Premier League teams since the 2023-24 season for high turnovers.
asserted
team → rank → turnovers
The Blues averaged nine high turnovers a match.
asserted
Blues → average → turnovers
United are at just over six this season in that metric, and are one of only four teams in the league not to score a goal leading from a high turnover.
asserted
United → score → turnover
Read More
“It’s a decision from the staff to not press man-to-man,” Fernandes said.
asserted
Fernandes → read → man
“But sometimes when you give too much of the ball to these teams, they get confidence.
asserted
they → give → confidence
They have so many bodies behind the ball that make you run a lot, make people frustrated.
asserted
people → have → ball
“I think sometimes we have to be more brave under pressure, take the risk of pressing high and making them uncomfortable.”
asserted
them → think → risk
The high intensity tactical approach that United are expected to deploy under Pochettino draws into focus comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe in 2024.
asserted
United → expect → 2024
“We’ll decide that [playing] style, plus the CEO, sporting director, probably the recruitment guys,” Ratcliffe said.
asserted
Ratcliffe → decide → ?
“What the style of football is, and that will be the Manchester United style of football, and the coach will have to play that style.
asserted
coach → have → style
“We’re not going to oscillate from a [Jose] Mourinho style to a [Pep] Guardiola style.
asserted
We → go → style
That’s not the way we’ll run the club.
asserted
we → ’ → club
“Otherwise, you’re changing everything all the time.
asserted
you → change → everything
You change your coach, you’ve got the wrong squad.
asserted
you → change → squad
We won’t do that.
asserted
We → do → that
”
What the style of football is, and that will be the Manchester United style of football, and the coach will have to play that style
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
That is exactly what United have done.
asserted
United → have → what
From Erik ten Hag they pivoted dramatically to Ruben Amorim and his insistence on a back-three system.
asserted
they → pivot → system
Carrick came in and changed that style again to a lower intensity possession approach, and now it will be all-action under Pochettino.
asserted
it → come → Pochettino
The summer signings of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos do not appear to be good fits.
asserted
signings → appear → Tielemans
In defence, Pochettino will want a high defensive line to support the press but that will be a test with the resources at his disposal.
asserted
that → want → disposal
This is a team with the third-worst defensive record in the league and Pochettino must immediately address that.
asserted
Pochettino → address → that
Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt are much more comfortable defending their own box, meaning the mobility of Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven could lead to them getting plenty of minutes.
uncertain
them → defend → minutes
Pochettino wants full-backs to hold their width, getting up and down the touchline and and allowing the wingers to cut inside.
asserted
wingers → want → touchline
Dorgu has the engine to do that.
asserted
Dorgu → have → that
He has started only one league match at left-back this season but could become crucial under Pochettino, particularly if it unlocks Matheus Cunha further up the pitch.
uncertain
it → start → pitch
Pochettino does not have the luxury of a pre-season.
asserted
Pochettino → have → season
Whipping his players into shape during a campaign will not be easy.
asserted
Whipping → whip → campaign
However, if he is to get the bounce in results and performances that are sorely needed, it feels essential.
asserted
it → get → results
The Aporia
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