Build-Up Play
Sean Dyche’s sides are set up to nullify aerial threats. In recent weeks, United have gone long in build-up and will have to mix this up a little by going short at times. Sean Dyche’s sides also tend to press quite cohesively, even if they don’t always press high. United are the away side, but they’ll probably have a higher share of possession in this game compared to their recent games. It should be an interesting test for this new-look United side.
Defending Long Balls
Harry Maguire
wasn’t available last week, but he’ll most likely be available this week. He normally gets the nod for games like this, so it’ll be interesting to see if he’ll start ahead of Lenny Yoro. If United can handle the first and second balls, they should be fairly comfortable for most of the game.
The Subs
The team that started against Brighton seems like the ideal XI for now. The likes of Mason Mount, Harry Maguire, and Noussair Mazraoui will come in and out of the side. The same can be said for Lisandro Martinez once he returns. Ayden Heaven has been fairly impressive since joining last January. However, the rest have a lot to prove. Joshua Zirkzee has looked better since the booing incident, but hasn’t really had a run in the side. He could’ve done better on the second goal last week, and it has been reported that his lack of power is seen as an issue.
Kobbie Mainoo is a talented young player, but he has struggled to make an impact in the limited minutes he has had this season. With the team recovering after a difficult start to the season, he’ll have to earn his place in the squad now. If he overcomes this difficult period, that’ll be a big positive for United, but it hasn’t happened yet. The likes of Manuel Ugarte and Patrick Dorgu have had multiple opportunities to impress, but haven’t done enough. At times, it feels like the minute they enter the pitch, a fragility breaks into the side. This will be one of Ruben Amorim’s big concerns in the coming games.
