Analysis: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Manchester United 1

Premier League, Sunday 20^th January 2013

Manchester United were stung by a late Tottenham equaliser as they claimed a point at White Hart Lane. Robin van Persie scored midway through the first-half, and United defended stoutly up until the 90^th minute blow from Tottenham. Here’s the analysis:

Unorthodox setup

United set-up somewhat unorthodoxly in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Phil Jones and Michael Carrick were paired in central midfield, with Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley out wide. Shinji Kagawa operated behind Robin van Persie up front.

Perhaps the most effective part of the set-up was Phil Jones. Sitting on the right hand side of central midfield, Jones did his bit by stopping Gareth Bale coming inside whilst also helping to break up Tottenham’s central threat. Michael Carrick mirrored Jones somewhat in the second-half as he looked to defend against Lennon on the other side, but his increased defensive work contributed to a lack of impact going forward. Maybe a similar defensive shape will be chosen against Real Madrid, with Jones used as a protection in the middle against Cristiano Ronaldo.

Because of the unusual and disjointed nature of the set-up, attacking successfully was always going to be a concern. Fortunately, United hit a purple patch midway through the first half when Cleverley and Welbeck swapped wings, and the team in Red started interchanging nicely to disorientate Tottenham. This resulted in the goal, but because of a high intensity involved in United’s defensive work-rate, was not often replicated in the second period.

A technical trio

Shinji Kagawa, Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley proved again against Tottenham that they are suited to playing with each other. Technically very good players, they are often on each other’s wavelengths when it comes to short, crisp passing and movement. This was seen in glimpses at the start of the 2011-2012 season when Cleverley and Welbeck burst onto the scene, and was only enhanced by the arrival of Kagawa, someone Tom Cleverley has already earmarked as easy to play with. Each of the players has some way to go in bettering their final ball, but in terms of youthful zest, dynamic interplay, and work-rate, these three are an exciting trio who work very well together.

Going Forward

United now go to Qatar for a four day break, something that could really galvanise the team after the late blow against Spurs. The last time United had a winter break in the middle-east was in January 2008, and the rest of that season tells its own story. On return, the Red Devils face an FA Cup fixture before a home match against Southampton in the Premier League, both games the team should be winning and look to be gaining further momentum from.

Ratings

[4-4-1-1]: de Gea-7, Rafael-7, Ferdinand-9*, Vidic-7, Evra-6, Welbeck-7, Jones-7, Carrick-8, Cleverley-7, Kagawa-7, van Persie-6

(Rooney-6, Valencia-6)

*Man of the Match