\nA frustrating season from Manchester United has been blighted by injuries and off-field dramas, but it is the on-field shift in tactics from those of the previous campaign by manager Erik ten Hag that have perplexed fans and pundits alike.<\/p>\n
Last season\u2019s \u201cTen Hag ball\u201d \u2013 a creative, progressive possession-based system with a deep lying playmaker and a fluid front three brought great success, with United qualifying for the Champions League, winning the League Cup, reaching the FA Cup final and Europa League semi-final.<\/p>\n
However, somewhat inexplicably, the manager announced in pre-season<\/a> that he wanted to make United \u201cthe best transition team in the world\u201d and suddenly changed his tactical set-up completely.<\/p>\n The deep-lying play maker was replaced by a ball-carrying midfielder and Ten Hag Ball was replaced by what is not-so-affectionately termed Chaos Ball, a strategy based on quick counter-attacks, overloading the opposition when in possession and a high press out of possession.<\/p>\n The results so far have been, it is probably fair to say, disastrous. United have suffered more shots against them than any other team outside the relegation zone<\/a>, the most in a season since 2003, with nine matches still remaining.<\/p>\n Watching United this season is like watching underdogs from a lower league, even against the likes of Luton Town and Bournemouth.<\/p>\n There is a lingering hope among many that the tactics were enforced in Ten Hag’s mind by injuries to key personnel, and that he may return to the more controlled system of last season.<\/p>\n But an interesting video that has been doing the rounds on social media shows that in fact, these tactics are not Ten Hag stepping out of character. They are not an aberration. He employed them at Ajax and defended them stoutly even when the legendary Ruud Gullit pointed out their glaring weakness.<\/p>\n Ruud Gullit questioning Erik Ten Hag\u2019s tactics and his open midfield during a football talkshow on national TV.<\/p>\n ETH admits leaving the midfield wide open without anyone covering it, CAN NEVER HAPPEN, which should tell you, it\u2019s all about player quality at United.<\/p>\n ( 1\/2 ) pic.twitter.com\/djbra99O8o<\/a><\/p>\n — Erik Ten Shelby \ud83e\udde3 (@ErikTenShelby) April 2, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n