Manchester United take on Sabah in the Champions League tomorrow night.
Michael Carrick’s side have not been involved in Europe’s premier competition since 2023 and will be champing at the bit to get a positive result.
The match will, in all likelihood, be United’s best chance to gain three valuable points, and the side will have to be very focused to get the job done after their disappointing 2-2 draw with Everton at the weekend.
Number nine presence
Owing to Benjamin Sesko’s injury recovery at the start of the season, United have been playing with Matheus Cunha as a false nine.
It is safe to say it has not been that successful, as the Red Devils have certainly missed a presence up front in many of the games they have played.
Sesko showed his importance with a late goal versus Everton, and having a target in the box for crosses and someone to hold the ball up against a packed defence will be imperative.
Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw combo
Rashford and Shaw turned back the clock on Sunday when they put together a neat performance down United’s left-hand side.
Shaw overlapped better than he has in a long time and was responsible for a brilliant cross which led to Sesko’s goal.
It is very plausible that United will have a lot of the ball on Thursday, so they will need quality crosses into the box, especially if Sesko is playing from the start.
Rashford is also very capable of whipping in dangerous balls, and it is likely United will need this to break the deadlock.
Patience
Sometimes United have a tendency to rush their play and try to make things happen too quickly.
This will not work against a team who will likely just sit in and defend as deep and for as long as possible, owing to the theoretical quality difference between the two teams.
Therefore, whilst an early goal would do everyone huge favours, if it does not arrive, United must not panic and must trust their football to break down a defence which will have a huge amount of motivation.
Featured image by Carl Recine via Getty Images
1 comment
The tweaks Carrick must make
1. No playing out from the back
2. No backward passes from free kicks
3. Sesko must start.
4. Stop Martnez and Maguire from taking slow walks with the ball.
5. Make both centrebacks aware that the forwards and Dalot make good runs but the CBs are busy passing to each other.
6. Cunha can play on either flank but not as central striker.
7. Dorgu is not an option as a wing.
The list is pretty long so I shall stop here.