Arsenal can exploit Manchester United tactical tweak

Manchester United confirmed the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as their new interim manager until the end of the season on Monday, just four days ahead of their home clash with Arsenal.

Michael Carrick has secured four points from his two matches at the helm, three coming in the Champions League and one in their recent 1-1 draw with Chelsea, and it’s still not certain whether he will oversee command for the midweek meeting.

Work is underway to finalise the details of Rangnick’s visa, one which the timing of will determine if he can take his place in the dugout. When he eventually does, the difference in style he will bid to implement will be in stark contrast to that of his predecessors.

But, has he already started making an impression? Has he already got a soft grip on this team?

Arsenal can exploit Manchester United tactical tweak as Carrick implements high pressing system in 1-1 draw with Chelsea

Having beaten Newcastle 2-0 last time out, Arsenal find themselves sitting in fifth and level on points with West Ham on fourth after 13 matches of the season. It wasn’t pretty against the Magpies, but it was patient, and enough to secure three comfortable points.

The test they will face at Old Trafford will be on a different scale. Manchester United might be heavily flawed but they still possess an enviable squad littered with exceptional attacking talent and threat all over the pitch.

Seeing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer fail to extract the performances out of players falling well below their capabilities had been one of the most enjoyable aspects of the season, so the arrival of a manager known for his high intensity pressing and harassing will be in stark contrast to the tepid counter-attacking football previously on show.

But while Rangnick is yet to take up his spot on the touchline, has he already had his say on the style?

Carrick was adamant in the wake of the Stamford Bridge draw that Rangnick had no input on the team selection or tactics. “No”, he said when asked if the German had any involvement. Yet it does seem peculiar that just one day before his official announcement that United did attempt to press Chelsea in their own half, something that haven’t done, or at least haven’t successfully managed, all campaign long.

So, even if he’s still awaiting a visa and may only be able to watch Thursday’s game from the stands, a faint nod to his preferred style of play being used on the eve of his appointment makes for an interesting ‘coincidence’.

A Cristiano Ronaldo-less United adopting that approach away at one of the title favourites does also suggest a similar application on Thursday. And if so, it is there for Arsenal to exploit.

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Manchester United’s Unpolished Pressing is Arsenal’s Advantage

This was something new from United. Attempts to press high previously have resulted in laughable Premier League capitulations at home to Liverpool, where the fractured movements across the team succeeded only in opening up more spaces for the opposition.

Against Chelsea there was more cohesion to their efforts, albeit infrequently and without any great success: Marcos Alonso had more touches in the United final third than the entire visiting team had in Chelsea’s.

Whether or not Rangnick had any input or not – and this was miles off some sudden replication of the German’s philosophy – it was nonetheless a closer reenactment to what he wants than seen from this team previously.

To come in and transform a team who would normally set up in a low block in the ‘big’ games seeking for rapid breaks up the other end to a side who wins the ball back within eight seconds of losing it and who shoots within ten seconds of regaining it is not an overnight fix.

It will take time, and it will be unpolished.

From Arsenal’s point of view, this is exactly what they’re after. Unable to withstand the majesty of Liverpool’s pressing in the second half for obvious reasons, any variation of spaces being closed down in the final third by players majorly new to the concept can work in their favour.

Teams that come on to Arsenal are welcome; for the most part Mikel Arteta’s side dealt well with Liverpool’s efforts until individual errors crept into the game. This group of players have the technical proficiency to play in tight areas and resist a press, while Aaron Ramsdale also becomes a prominent figure in games where he can let his distribution sing as the spare man in build-up.

Add to that the expected teething issues that come with implementing this style, whether it be by the hand of Carrick or Rangnick, and there should be cause for optimism in Arsenal quarters that they can take advantage of a team in a dealing with a stylistic transition.