Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Fulham in their Premier League opener offered a glimpse into the tactical adjustments Erik ten Hag has been working on ahead of the new season. While the scoreline was narrow, the performance highlighted a few tactical tweaks that United have worked upon in the pre-season.
Strikerless 4-2-2-2 Formation
Straightaway from the team news, the most noticeable changes was the introduction of a strikerless 4-2-2-2 formation. Instead of relying on a traditional center-forward, Ten Hag deployed Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount in advanced midfield roles, with both players alternating in dropping deep to link up with the midfield. This approach provided greater fluidity in attack, as United focused on controlling the central areas and dictating the tempo of the game.
However, this system came with its own challenges. Without a focal point in the attack, United sometimes struggled to create clear-cut chances. The absence of a central striker meant fewer bodies in the box during attacking phases, making it harder to capitalize on the spaces created by wide players Marcus Rashford and Amad. Despite these limitations, the formation allowed United to dominate possession and control the flow of the game for significant periods. This system might have been used because of the injury to Hojlund and the lack of fitness of Zirkzee but considering that both the strikers are young and raw, ten Hag might opt for this formation more frequently during the season.
Enhanced Pressing Game
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United’s pressing game was another key area of improvement. This match saw one of their most effective out-of-possession performances under Ten Hag. The pressing was more organized and aggressive, with Casemiro, Mount, and Lisandro Martinez leading the charge. United adopted a man-to-man pressing system that effectively disrupted Fulham’s attempts to build from the back.
The results were clear: United won 20 tackles and made 17 interceptions, numbers that reflect the success of their pressing strategy. By maintaining a high defensive line and pressing as a unit, United were able to keep Fulham pinned in their own half for extended periods, reducing the threat of counter-attacks and allowing United to dominate possession.
United’s Defensive Vulnerabilities from Last Season Remain
Despite the tactical improvements, some of the defensive issues that plagued United last season resurfaced when Ten Hag switched to a 4-3-3 formation in the second half. The introduction of Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho led to a shift from the controlled 4-2-2-2 system to a more traditional 4-3-3, which immediately exposed familiar weaknesses.
With this formation change, United lost the compactness that had allowed them to control the match. The absence of the fourth central player, which had been crucial in maintaining defensive solidity and press resistance, resulted in gaps that Fulham exploited on the counter-attack. The game became more stretched, with United struggling to maintain control in midfield and leaving their defense exposed.
Fulham created several dangerous opportunities during this period, most notably a two-on-one counter-attack that could have easily led to an equalizer. While United managed to hold on for the win, the defensive fragility and lack of control that emerged after the formation switch were reminiscent of the issues that troubled them throughout last season.
These three tactical elements—the strikerless 4-2-2-2 formation, an improved pressing game, and the lingering defensive vulnerabilities—highlight both the progress and ongoing challenges for Manchester United under Erik ten Hag. While there are clear signs of improvement, particularly in their pressing and initial structure, the vulnerabilities exposed in the second half serve as a reminder that there is still work to be done as United seek greater consistency and control throughout the season.
