Manchester United have had a decent season under new manager Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese veteran is still tweaking and adjusting this team to all of the various demands of the Premier League but could see widescale success only next season.
More additions to the squad in the upcoming summer transfer window as well as getting his game plan across to Manchester United's current crop of players could only benefit the club in the run in for next season's title.
Also read: Why Manchester United need Romelu Lukaku
Yet, with the names linked and the kind of players already on the club's books, a few tactical readjustments could do the team a world of good. Here's looking at five such tweaks that could more or less bring about positive results:
#1 Anthony Martial ought to experience leading the line
21-year-old Anthony Martial has been an iffy success at the club so far in his first two seasons, yet every time he takes to the field – which is comparatively a lot lesser under Mourinho than under former manager, Louis van Gaal – it looks like he could make the difference.
His dribbling and pace mean he's able to change direction when on the ball quicker than defenders can anticipate, and most deadly centre-forwards have just that in abundance. Martial making the move to a central striker role could give Manchester United a whole new identity.
At AS Monaco, he played in said position for a few matches and impressed scouts a lot; and while it's almost an unwritten rule that young strikers have to learn to play on the wing, it's time Martial went back to the position that made him a Manchester United player in the first place.
#2 Attack from the right
With Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford occupying the left wing on every line-up, the club has failed to replicate and spread the attack from the other side of the pitch. It's understandable due to both Martial and Rashford being right-footers who love to cut in and shoot/cross but it's also counterproductive given defences know where to remain the strongest.
And this is affecting Manchester United on the counter with 20% of the goals they've conceded being created from the opposition's left wing – the opposite wing of where Martial and Rashford operate on.
Should Manchester United put the opposition left-back under equal pressure, it also forces the other team to counter on the same side of the pitch making United's job a little easier dealing with counters.
#3 Play a higher line/press from the back
This idea needs no justification, really. Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur and Antonio Conte's Chelsea have benefited so much this season in the way they press teams as soon as they lose possession. Even the centre-backs are mobile enough to push up to the half-way line and help the midfield out with regaining possession.
For Manchester United, they have Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo who could make the most of the situation with aplomb. They're all fast, excellent readers of the game and have the kind of physical presence to win the ball back, contributing to the midfield.
With only an average of 13.1 fouls per game, the side is depending too much on individuals to get them out of trouble rather than fusing the attacking instinct and ruthlessness of the midfield as well as the legs and the intelligence of the defence.
#4 Wanted: Overlapping full-backs
In Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw – once he's over this whole love-hate tiff with his manager – Manchester United have two of the most attack-minded full-backs in the Premier League, yet the sight of them overlapping the wingers is rare.
Both the full-backs have enormous pace and the know-how of giving and going. And with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marouane Fellaini – when needed – are in the box, crosses from the full-backs are safer options knowing very well they have an attacker on the ball should it be cleared from the box.
Valencia has overlapped on the right-hand side more than any other full-back in the side this season but his inconsistency is a hindrance to Manchester United who could do with someone who can pick up the mantle on the other side if one of the defenders is having a less-than-pleasant day.
#5 Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera need protection
With Michael Carrick set to call it quits at the end of the current season, Manchester United are in need of someone to let Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera do the things they're best at: contributing to attack.
Everytime Jose Mourinho has played Carrick and Pogba together, the side has looked formidable in attack. With the likely absence of the Englishman next season onward, the Portuguese is either going to move another midfielder behind these two or bring in someone from the outside.
Pogba is the most effective when he's going with the ball to the edge of the box – likewise with Herrera. Them staying near the half-way line is unnatural and almost uncomfortable given the number of fouls they give away trying to win the ball back.
