1
Manchester United’s first pre-season pleasant of the summer time led to a goalless draw towards fierce rivals Leeds United at Stockholm, Sweden on Saturday.
United followers caught their first glimpse of recent signings Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon, and each regarded sharp, particularly the Brazilian.
However there have been the identical points as final time period, notably up high, the place Rasmus Hojlund struggled but once more. INEOS want to repair that.
However the greatest problem was the shortage of management in midfield, particularly when Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes had been on the pitch.
Each tried to play first-time lofted balls, or by means of passes, which frequently resulted in Leeds profitable again possession. The Brazilian will not be getting any youthful, and it confirmed as he struggled to trace again at occasions.
Lack of steadiness in midfield
In Europe, the place the tempo of the sport is slower, he was an asset, however with no European video games this time period, the ex-Actual Madrid celebrity wants assist.
The membership captain is likely one of the most inventive gamers within the English top-flight and with Bryan Mbeumo but to hyperlink up with the remainder of the crew, Ruben Amorim ought to have ideally performed Toby Collyer alongside the Brazil worldwide and the Portuguese as one of many No.10s.
Surprisingly, Fernandes began alongside Casemiro, and his lack of positional self-discipline meant Leeds at all times had a spare man in the course of the park.
And enjoying Collyer because the right-sided attacking midfielder meant the play was largely restricted to the left flank with the academy graduate virtually invisible for the opening 45 minutes.
Invisible Collyer
In actual fact, he had fewer touches of the ball than goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, touching the ball a meagre 17 occasions, and finishing solely 81 per cent of his passes.
Creativity will not be his strongest go well with, whereas his freakish working stats make him the proper foil for Casemiro as his vitality can be utilized to disrupt the opposition’s tempo successfully.
However Amorim’s unusual tactical name meant Toby Collyer needed to play a lot greater up, and he received 0 floor duels, tried 0 crosses, and 0 lengthy balls, took 0 photographs and accomplished 0 dribbles (all stats through sofascore).
The crew had significantly better steadiness with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte in midfield within the second half, however it’s clear INEOS want a brand new deep-lying playmaker.
Which is strictly why there are probabilities of the 21-year-old being loaned out and even offered. Whereas he is usually a first rate possibility from the bench, his homegrown standing means pure revenue, one thing the co-owners are in determined want of presently.
Observe us on GrabFacts: @Grabfacts