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Today we’re going to be taking a look at Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba: Manchester United’s NEW Midfield in Tactics Explained.

2020 has seen Manchester United go from strength to strength. Compared to the 2019 half of the season, Manchester United have picked up 0.31 more points per game in 2020. But it hasn’t all been plain sailing.

A serious injury to Marcus Rashford followed by back to back defeats threatened to derail the season, but the arrival of Bruno Fernandes transformed the fortunes of the club as he brought the missing spark and creativity to Manchester United.

In fact since Bruno’s arrival, Manchester United have picked up more points in the competition than any other side. Even a three month pause to the season didn’t halt United’s momentum. If anything it allowed them to build it, especially as they were buoyed by the return of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford, two players whose season’s were written off due to injury.

So what’s changed?

Since Premier League football returned, more teams are looking to give up possession and play on the counter attack, which is a perfectly fine tactical approach. However there is a significant reduction in threat from eight sides, six of whom are in the bottom half of the league, as they simply look to stop opponents, rather than exploit them. So more technical teams, the likes of the traditional top six, are more easily dominating matches and are having to worry less about the threat on the counter attack. Thus, they’re able to field more attack minded players as they break down these more defensive sides.

In terms of personnel, Ole Gunnar Solskjær kept faith with his pre-lockdown midfield in the first game back against Spurs but it saw United start slowly. However, the introduction of Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood in the 62nd minute turned the game. And Ole hasn’t looked back, getting Pogba, Matic and Greenwood into the starting lineup alongside Bruno Fernandes. In fact, since he’s made this tweak, Ole hasn’t had to change a thing, with Manchester United picking up every point available to them when this team has been named from the start.

But how do they operate together?

Man Utd’s new possession shape is all about allowing freedom within the structure.
What this means is whilst there are clearly defined roles for specific players, Matic in the back line, Pogba at 8 and Bruno at 10, that are given the freedom to interchange positions with other players within the structure, whilst responsibly maintaining the shape. This has seen situations where Bruno has been at 8, Pogba at 10, and one of the full backs in the inside attacking positions. And this, well drilled system in itself, bodes really well for United moving forward as this level of controlled interchange is only really present at really well drilled sides, the likes of Sheffield United, Manchester City and Liverpool.

From this position, Paul Pogba is playing a much more mature game, looking to play quicker, simple passes as United build up before looking to play forward passes. His starting position also means that he has to be ready to drop into the back line if one of the centre backs step out with possession. Speaking of which, Bruno Fernandes is the perfect modern day number 10. Not only is he an elite level creator, but Bruno works incredibly hard both in the press and off the ball and on top of that he’s got a serious eye for goalscoring. Bruno’s position in that number 10 area really knits the team together.

This confidence in each other’s ability has seen a relationship really start to blossom between the two midfield maestros. The pair are starting to really look for one another on the pitch, often with Pogba looking for Fernandes before he tries to create for the forwards.

But anyway guys what do you think? Have you been impressed with this midfield trio? And who will succeed Nemanja Matic at the club? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

#ManchesterUnited #BrunoFernandes #PaulPogba

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