21:00 on October 4th, MU vs Sunderland: When long balls become a nightmare

04/10/2025 07:15:00 SportScoop

It is uncommon for a major club like MU to appear so powerless against long balls. Since the beginning of the 2025/26 season, they have conceded goals in six straight matches from aerial duels or long-range passes.

More concerning is that every opponent quickly spotted this flaw. Whether it was corners, crosses, throw-ins, or long passes from their own half, United were consistently exploited.

The three-center-back formation is a double-edged sword

One of the biggest reasons United is vulnerable to long balls stems from their tactical system. Ruben Amorim uses a 3-4-2-1 setup, with a high pressing style that demands the wing-backs to constantly advance and support the midfield. The goal is to prevent the central midfielders from being overwhelmed by the opponent’s pressure. However, this risky approach means that whenever possession is lost, United’s formation leaves vast spaces behind.

The match against Brentford is a vivid example. Just 8 minutes in, Matheus Cunha lost the ball near the opponent’s penalty area. At that moment, both of United’s wing-backs were pushed high, leaving Harry Maguire alone to guard the central zone. Igor Thiago took advantage of this, and with a smart run, easily scored the opening goal. Maguire was blamed for a mistake in the offside trap decision, but in truth, this was an inevitable result of Amorim’s tactical setup.

Mistakes in the center-backs’ timing have repeatedly cost United. At the 63rd minute of the same match, Matthijs de Ligt pressed Mikel Damsgaard in midfield but failed, leaving a gap behind. Brentford only needed a long pass to the wing, then a cross into the center to create a dangerous chance. This incident revealed United’s fragility: just one small misstep causes the entire defensive structure to collapse.

MU’s defense is highly vulnerable to long balls

Even captain Bruno Fernandes admitted: "We have to pick the right moment to push forward, or else the midfield is always outnumbered." But the problem is, United’s current center-backs—from Maguire to De Ligt—are not used to proactive defending that involves pushing high and intercepting passes. They excel in man-marking and aerial duels within a low defensive block rather than risky pressing. Therefore, Amorim’s philosophy becomes a "double-edged sword" when the personnel don’t match.

The challenge for Amorim

Premier League teams no longer just launch long balls in the old-fashioned way. They have turned long balls into a sophisticated tactical tool to break down United’s defense. The Brentford vs. United match clearly illustrated this. Only 20% of Brentford’s attacking touches came through the center—the lowest since the season began. Instead, they concentrated almost all their attack on the flanks, where United is vulnerable to positional shifts and leaving gaps.

The situation leading to the second goal is a perfect example. Ouattara dropped deep, pulling Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu out of position, unbalancing United’s defense. Immediately, Schade and Thiago pushed forward on the wing, turning five defenders into a disadvantageous three-versus-two. With a precise long pass from Yarmolyuk, Brentford tore apart the opposing defense, allowing Thiago to double the lead.

This tactic was not based on luck but careful preparation. Coach Keith Andrews praised his players for their "courage" in deliberately playing short passes to lure the opponent into pressing, then suddenly launching long balls. They not only gave up possession but even controlled the ball more than United in the first half. As a result, the "Red Devils" became passive in every situation, uncertain when the opponent would switch gears and exploit the space behind their defense.

The 10 goals conceded from direct attacks—the highest in the Premier League currently—are clear evidence of systemic problems. Amorim faces a difficult decision: continue with the risky 3-4-2-1 formation or switch to a traditional four-defender system to reduce vulnerabilities? Whichever choice he makes, he must act quickly, as fan pressure mounts and confidence in the rebuilding process fades.

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