Manchester United, one of the most famous and titled football clubs in the world, has a rich history full of triumphs and dramatic events. For more than a century of the club’s existence, the team has experienced many ups and downs, but has invariably remained in the centre of attention of casino not on gamstop gambling enthusiasts and true fans of the “red devils”.
The aim of this article is to provide a detailed analysis of Manchester United’s tactical changes, strategies and style of play under different coaches, from the Sir Alex Ferguson era to modern-day managers. We will look at how each coach influenced the development of the team, what tactical schemes were used and how the style of play changed depending on the coaching philosophy.
Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson is undoubtedly one of the most legendary figures in Manchester United’s history. His period with the club lasted from 1986 to 2013 and was an era of unprecedented success and dominance on the national and international stage. Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups and 2 UEFA Champions League titles, making Manchester United one of the most successful clubs in the world.
Basic tactical schemes
Ferguson was known for his flexibility in tactical approaches, which allowed him to adapt to different opponents and conditions. Some of the most commonly used schemes include:
- 4-4-2 – this scheme became the main scheme in his early years. With two forwards, the team could put constant pressure on the opponent’s defence.
- 4-3-3 – over time, Ferguson began to use this scheme to increase ball control in the centre of the pitch and provide a more balanced attack.
Style of play
Manchester United’s playing style under Ferguson was characterised by a high intensity and attacking orientation. Key elements of his style included:
- Attacking play. Ferguson always wanted his team to play attacking football, creating many chances at the opposition’s goal.
- Utilisation of the flanks. A lot of emphasis was placed on wing attacks, where players such as Ryan Giggs and David Beckham often shone.
- High pressing. The team actively pressed the opponents, forcing them to make mistakes and lose the ball.
Key players
Under Ferguson’s leadership, Manchester United uncovered many talented players who became legends of the club:
- Ryan Giggs – his dribbling and speed on the left wing brought many problems to opponents.
- Paul Scholes – a great playmaker who set the tempo of the game from the centre of the pitch.
- Eric Cantona – French striker whose leadership and goal scoring ability made a huge impact on the team.
Influence on subsequent generations of coaches
Ferguson’s influence on Manchester United goes beyond his own time at the club. His philosophy and tactical ideas have become the foundation for future generations of coaches. Many of his former players, such as Ole Gunnar Sulser, have endeavoured to adopt and build on his legacy, continuing to utilise key elements of his tactics and style of play.
David Moyes
David Moyes took over as head coach of Manchester United in 2013 following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. His tenure proved to be a short and difficult period for the club. Moyes faced the challenges of moving on from the Ferguson era and trying to establish his own tactics and style of play.
Work period and achievements
Moyes managed Manchester United for one season, from 2013 to 2014. During this time, the team failed to win any significant titles and finished the season in seventh place in the Premier League, which was the worst result in decades.
Main tactical schemes
The main scheme he used, with two supporting midfielders, a trio of attacking midfielders and one centre forward. This was meant to provide a balance between defence and attack, but often resulted in a lack of creativity in attacking play.
Style of play
The style of play of the team under Moyes was different to that under Ferguson. Key aspects included:
- Defensive approach. Moyes emphasised solid defence, but this often led to a lack of attacking activity and a lack of creativity in the game.
- Adaptation problems. The team had difficulty adapting to the new style of play, which manifested itself in instability and a lack of confidence on the pitch.
Key players
Some key players continued to play an important role in the team despite the difficulties:
- Wayne Rooney – remained the team leader and top scorer despite changes in tactical scheme.
- David De Hea – a superb goalkeeper who often saved the team in difficult situations.
Reasons for failure
Despite his best efforts, Moyes failed to succeed at Manchester United for several reasons:
- Ferguson’s legacy. Expectations for the coach who came after Sir Alex Ferguson were extremely high and Moyes found it difficult to cope with this pressure.
- Lack of transfer activity. In the first transfer period, the club failed to bring in the key players needed to strengthen the squad.
- Tactical changes. The team had difficulty adapting to new tactical schemes and style of play, which led to unstable results and loss of confidence.
Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal took over as the head coach of Manchester United in 2014, bringing his tactical innovations and approaches to the team. The Dutch coach is known for being methodical and striving to control the game through ball possession. His tenure was a transitional phase for the club, during which Manchester United experienced both successes and failures.
Work period and achievements
Louis van Gaal was in charge of Manchester United from 2014 to 2016. During this period, the team managed to win the FA Cup in the 2015/2016 season, which was the first major trophy after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. However, in the Premier League, results were less impressive and the team failed to consistently compete for the title.
Main tactical schemes
Van Gaal used different tactical schemes, trying to find the optimal one for his team:
- 3-5-2 – this scheme was used to improve control of the game and provide a more flexible defence. However, it often led to slow development of attacks and lack of sharpness at the opponent’s goal.
- 4-2-3-1 – van Gaal later reverted to this formation to increase the team’s attacking potential, but it did not always lead to the desired results.
Style of play
The style of play of the team under van Gaal was characterised by the following aspects:
- Positional football. Van Gaal emphasised ball control and slow development of attacks through short passes. The team often possessed the ball but had difficulty creating chances.
- Ball Control. The team tried to maximise ball control, which sometimes led to a slow pace of play and a lack of creativity in attack.
- Slow pace of play. Due to the emphasis on ball control and positional play, the pace of play was often slowed down, allowing opponents to defend effectively.
Key players
Despite the difficulties, under van Gaal’s leadership some players were able to prove themselves and contribute significantly to the team’s successes:
- David De Hea – remained a reliable pillar in goal, regularly saving the team from conceding goals.
- Wayne Rooney – continued to play an important role in attack despite changes in tactical schemes.
- Marouane Fellaini – played a key role in the centre of the pitch, often helping the team to win the ball and create threats in front of goal.
Influence on youth development
One of the positive aspects of van Gaal’s tenure has been his focus on developing young players. He actively introduced young talents such as Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard into the squad, who later became key players in the team. This left an important legacy and showed that Manchester United were willing to develop their own talent.
Louis van Gaal’s period at Manchester United was controversial, but left important lessons and influence on the club’s subsequent development. His emphasis on ball control and youth development were important aspects that the team continues to utilise today.
Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho came to Manchester United in 2016 with a reputation as one of the most successful and charismatic coaches of modern times. His tenure at the club has been marked by a number of significant achievements, but has also sparked controversy and mixed reactions among fans and experts.
Work period and achievements
Mourinho was in charge of Manchester United from 2016 to 2018. In the first season under his leadership, the team won the English League Cup and the Europa League, which allowed the club to return to the Champions League. The team also won the Super Cup of England. However, despite these successes, Mourinho failed to make Manchester United a serious contender for the Premier League title.
Main tactical schemes
Mourinho used several tactical schemes to maximise the opportunities of his players:
- 4-3-3 – this scheme was used to provide a balance between attack and defence, with an emphasis on quick counter-attacks.
- 4-2-3-1 – a scheme in which two supporting midfielders provided defence and three attacking midfielders supported the only forward, creating a threat at the opposition’s goal.
Style of play
The style of play of the team under Mourinho was pragmatic and result orientated:
- Pragmatic approach. Mourinho often adapted tactics to suit a particular opponent, aiming to maximise efficiency and minimise risk.
- Defensive tactics. The team played with an emphasis on solid defence and counter-attacks, which often led to criticism for a lack of spectacular play.
- Counterattacks. Mourinho relied on quick and effective counterattacks, utilising the speed and skill of players such as Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku.
Key players
Under Mourinho’s guidance, several players have performed at a high level and have become important figures in the team:
- Paul Pogba – The French midfielder has returned to Manchester United and has become a key player in the centre of the pitch, showcasing his creativity and athletic ability.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic – The veteran Swede has come to the club and has made a significant contribution with his goals and leadership qualities.
- Romelu Lukaku – Belgian striker who joined from Everton, has become a key forward and one of the team’s top scorers.
Influence on the mentality of the team
One important aspect of Mourinho’s performance has been his influence on the team’s mentality:
- Leadership qualities. Mourinho brought his charisma and leadership qualities to the team, which helped the players to believe in their own abilities and strive for victories.
- Psychological resilience. His emphasis on mental preparation has helped the team cope with pressure and achieve results in difficult matches.
However, despite his successes, Mourinho faced difficulties in his relationship with the players and club management. Progressively negative results and internal tensions led to his resignation in December 2018. Nevertheless, his contribution to the development of the team and its tactical approaches have left a significant mark on Manchester United’s history.
Erik ten Hag
Erik ten Hag was appointed as Manchester United’s head coach in April 2022. Coming to the club with a wealth of experience in the Dutch Eredivisie and a successful stint in charge of Ajax, ten Hag sought to bring a modern and dynamic style of play to Manchester United based on his philosophical principles and tactical developments.
Work period and achievements
Erik ten Hag started his work with Manchester United at the beginning of the 2022/2023 season. In a short period of time, he managed to improve the team’s results and start the process of restoring its competitiveness on the domestic and international stage. Under his leadership, the team demonstrated a confident game and started to fight for high positions in the Premier League.
Main tactical schemes
Ten Hag uses tactical schemes that allow his team to effectively control the game and create chances:
- 4-3-3 – The main scheme that allows the team to dominate the centre of the pitch and actively use the flanks to attack.
- 4-2-3-1 – This scheme is used to provide a balance between defence and attack, with two supporting midfielders supporting the attacking action.
Style of Play
The style of play of the team under ten Hag includes the following key elements:
- Attacking play. The team plays dynamic and attacking football, with an emphasis on quick combinations and ball movement.
- Pressing and counter-pressing. Active pressing of the opponent and instant counter-pressing after losing the ball, allowing the team to quickly regain control of the game.
- Ball Control. Ten Hag aims for the team to control the ball as much as possible, dominating possession and dictating the tempo of the game.
Key Players
Under ten Hag’s leadership, several players have become key figures in the team:
- Bruno Fernandes – continues to be a key player in attack, showing creativity and leadership qualities.
- Christian Eriksen – the Danish midfielder has become an important part of ten Hague’s system due to his experience and ability to control the game.
- Raphael Varane is a central defender whose presence in defence helps the team to remain solid and stable.
Expectations and predictions
Under ten Hague’s leadership, Manchester United have every chance of regaining their status as one of the top teams in Europe:
- Team Development. Ten Hag is actively working on team development, improving both the individual skills of the players and their co-operation on the pitch.
- Fighting for titles. With improved results and confident play, the team will be able to fight for top positions in the Premier League and Champions League.
- Long-term strategy. Ten Hag is building a team with a long-term vision, laying the foundations for sustainable success in the future.
Erik ten Hag brings a modern and attacking style of play to Manchester United, combining this with a high level of tactical expertise. His approach and vision of the game allows fans to hope for the team’s return to the top of European football.
Results
Under the leadership of Erik ten Hag, Manchester United have every chance to regain their status as one of the top teams in Europe. The coach is building a team with a long-term vision, developing young players and implementing modern tactics. The confidence with which the team is playing under his leadership allows the fans to hope for new titles and significant victories in the near future.
Each coach has contributed to the evolution of Manchester United, shaping its unique identity and drive to win. The history of the club shows that despite the difficulties and changes, Manchester United remains one of the main symbols of world football, ready for new challenges and achievements.