Ruben Amorim's Manchester United team continues to struggle with their preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, despite having a talented squad at their disposal. The system has proven effective for Crystal Palace under Oliver Glasner, who has successfully implemented the 3-4-2-1 setup and achieved top-five status in the Premier League.
One key aspect of Glasner's approach is the importance he places on his back three, featuring Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guehi. These centre-backs are marshalling things well in front of Dean Henderson, one of the best goalkeepers in the division. Palace have the second-best defence in terms of goals conceded and are one of only two teams to let in a single-digit goal tally after 12 games.
Glasner's midfield four is another area where his team shines. The wing-backs of Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell bring intensity, with Munoz running over 14km per game at high intensity this season - more than the next-best player. Meanwhile, Mitchell sits fifth for current Premier League players in terms of tackles won per 90 minutes.
The two sitting midfielders, rotated between Adam Wharton and Jefferson Lerma, set the tone for Palace's play. Their ability to break lines and create overloads in the central areas is key to the team's success. For example, Munoz and Mitchell create an overload by playing narrow to create space behind the opposition's midfield line.
Palace's No 10s, Ismaila Sarr and Yeremy Pino, also play a crucial role in creating this overload. They can occupy multiple centre-backs at once, freeing up other players to make runs in behind. This system requires "pocket" players who can create chaos and confusion among the opposition's midfielders.
United, on the other hand, has struggled to replicate this success with their preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. Their wing-backs have been less effective than Palace's, and their midfield two of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes has not been as cohesive.
The system also requires "runners" who can make late runs behind the opposition's midfield line. However, United has struggled to find these players in the transfer market, with injuries such as Cunha and Sesko creating holes in the team.
In contrast, Palace have found players who fit the structure of their system. They have a mix of "pocket" players like Sarr and Pino, runners like Munoz and Mitchell, and physical hold-up forwards like Jean-Philippe Mateta.
United's failure to replicate the success of Glasner's team is largely due to their inability to find a cohesive midfield duo. Their system relies on having two central midfielders who can break lines and create overloads in the central areas.
In contrast, Palace have found success by rotating between Wharton and Lerma, who provide a similar level of quality to Casemiro and Fernandes. The team's ability to overload their opponents in the central areas is key to their success, and United would do well to study this approach.
Ultimately, Ruben Amorim must take a closer look at his system and make adjustments to address these weaknesses. With a talented squad at his disposal, there is no reason why Manchester United cannot achieve top-four status with a more cohesive midfield duo.
One key aspect of Glasner's approach is the importance he places on his back three, featuring Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, and Marc Guehi. These centre-backs are marshalling things well in front of Dean Henderson, one of the best goalkeepers in the division. Palace have the second-best defence in terms of goals conceded and are one of only two teams to let in a single-digit goal tally after 12 games.
Glasner's midfield four is another area where his team shines. The wing-backs of Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell bring intensity, with Munoz running over 14km per game at high intensity this season - more than the next-best player. Meanwhile, Mitchell sits fifth for current Premier League players in terms of tackles won per 90 minutes.
The two sitting midfielders, rotated between Adam Wharton and Jefferson Lerma, set the tone for Palace's play. Their ability to break lines and create overloads in the central areas is key to the team's success. For example, Munoz and Mitchell create an overload by playing narrow to create space behind the opposition's midfield line.
Palace's No 10s, Ismaila Sarr and Yeremy Pino, also play a crucial role in creating this overload. They can occupy multiple centre-backs at once, freeing up other players to make runs in behind. This system requires "pocket" players who can create chaos and confusion among the opposition's midfielders.
United, on the other hand, has struggled to replicate this success with their preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. Their wing-backs have been less effective than Palace's, and their midfield two of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes has not been as cohesive.
The system also requires "runners" who can make late runs behind the opposition's midfield line. However, United has struggled to find these players in the transfer market, with injuries such as Cunha and Sesko creating holes in the team.
In contrast, Palace have found players who fit the structure of their system. They have a mix of "pocket" players like Sarr and Pino, runners like Munoz and Mitchell, and physical hold-up forwards like Jean-Philippe Mateta.
United's failure to replicate the success of Glasner's team is largely due to their inability to find a cohesive midfield duo. Their system relies on having two central midfielders who can break lines and create overloads in the central areas.
In contrast, Palace have found success by rotating between Wharton and Lerma, who provide a similar level of quality to Casemiro and Fernandes. The team's ability to overload their opponents in the central areas is key to their success, and United would do well to study this approach.
Ultimately, Ruben Amorim must take a closer look at his system and make adjustments to address these weaknesses. With a talented squad at his disposal, there is no reason why Manchester United cannot achieve top-four status with a more cohesive midfield duo.
Did you see that stats on Munoz's high-intensity running? 14km per game is wild 
And Palace has the second-best defence in terms of goals conceded... they're like a brick wall 
! Their midfield four is so solid, with Mitchell leading tackles won per 90 minutes 
. But what's up with United's wing-backs? They can't even match Munoz's intensity 
. And that Casemiro and Fernandes midfield duo just isn't the same as Wharton and Lerma's rotation 
. I think Amorim needs to re-think his system, ASAP 
...
i mean ruben amorim's got all the right pieces but somehow they just can't seem to click 
palace on the other hand is killing it with their system and it's clear why - those centre-backs are absolute monsters 
maxence laCroix is like a brick wall for opposing forwards 
Those centre-backs of theirs are like a solid wall, Dean Henderson is a beast in goal and their midfield four is all over the pitch. What's not working for Man U is that their wing-backs just aren't doing what Palace's do... and Casemiro and Bruno just don't have the same chemistry as Wharton and Lerma at Palace. It's time for Amorim to shake things up, I reckon 
Palace's back three is looking super solid! And their wing-backs are so intense 
It's clear that having a good mix of "pocket" players and runners makes all the difference. The fact that they've found guys like Munoz, Mitchell, and Wharton/Lerma who fit into this system is huge 
Ruben Amorim should definitely take a closer look at how Palace are doing it 
Maybe they just need a different approach? But then again, maybe the issue lies with their midfield duo... Casemiro and Fernandes aren't half bad, are they? 
️ I guess what I'm saying is, it's hard to say for sure without seeing more. United needs to find a way to make this system work, but maybe they need to look at some other teams' strategies too 
Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell are making a huge difference in the team, and it's not just because of their high-intensity running. It's also about how they're creating these small spaces behind the opposition's midfield line that can lead to big opportunities 
. They have a talented squad but just can't seem to get it right 
. I think the key to Palace's success is in their back three, those centre-backs are marshalling things well 
. They need to find those "pocket" players and runners who can make late runs behind the opposition's midfield line 
, I'm sure he can do it!
It's like they think one superstar will magically fix everything. Meanwhile, Palace is over here quietly building a solid team through smart transfers and clever tactics. That 3-4-2-1 formation just works for them, you know? 
they just dont seem 2 get it right wen its come 2 finding tht midfield cohesion 
.
. 
. While Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes are talented players, they haven't been able to provide the same level of quality as Wharton and Lerma 
. With a talented squad at their disposal, there's no reason why Manchester United can't achieve top-four status with a more cohesive midfield duo 
.
It's like they're trying to play football with one hand tied behind their back 
. Those runners they're missing, though... United needs to go on the hunt for some quality midfielders who can make those late runs behind the opposition's midfield line 
. Let's hope they make some changes soon! 