A quick resume of this match’s performance would be the following:
. 68% Ball Possession with more than double of passes completed

. Expected Goals (xG) of almost 3x Forest

. Touches in the penalty area – 41 (United) vs 17 (Forest)

. 3 Big chances vs 0 from the home team

. Shots – 23 vs 8

. Corners – 10 vs 3

Watching these stats one could understand the general direction and control of the Game with United’s performance clearly standing-out.

Additionally, that the team really put the effort in and tried hard.

However, leaving the stats to rest and by observing the full-match one thing is clear: the team is growing.

Significantly.

The team is getting compact and (way) more aware of the positioning, different moments and movements needed to proceed with the ball.

We can see different offensive movements starting to appear, lateral movements from the midfielders, the forwards getting more involved at the build-up in the right timing and with pass precision, more players moving to the sides to create crossing situations with different options and movements, either with the midfielder, side-back or winger providing the width needed or, even, with the so important depth movement created by the striker at Ruben’s Style of Play- a movement that is clearly influenced by the presence of Viktor Gyökeres at Sporting CP and that we can start to see now more clearly with Højlund at Manchester United.

Moreover, the team’s tactical awareness is clearly seen at the passing precision and accuracy but, most importantly, at the decision-making.

The Game is getting more fluid.

Way more fluid.

The ball is taken from crowded areas immediately after recovering faster, clearing the Game with the necessary ease, one-touch combinations are now regular with a more positive participation from the Strikers.

Here, is also important to mention that Højlund performances are improving significantly on these moments of connecting the teams’ Game, just as finding the depth, something that was clear even at the National Team Games last week against Portugal.
Good job Højlund!

Also, on individual performances, different comments:

. Bruno’s performance was not the best, specially on the first touch and pass accuracy. Losing the ball more often than normal (31 times) and passing quality dropping to levels below 80% – which is clearly not normal for Bruno. Moreover, he’s still finding himself more comfortable on the double-pivot’s role than on the forward positions, where he’s forced to play regularly with his back to the goal. Some thoughts and considerations to be done here from all involved as the team needs Bruno at his best, to be built around him and supported with players with the same quality;

. Similarly, Dorgu didn’t performed the way he’s been performing recently with the Club, and even with the National Team vs Portugal last week. Dorgu already passed what I like to call the “Trust Test” that all new-players face when arrive at a new Club, mainly when arriving at a Big Club as United, and he’s always solid and reliable, naturally (won almost 80% of his duels). But offensively, specially during the 1st half, he could have performed better and provide more quality (only 1 dribbled attempt and 1 successful cross out of 5 attempts – 20% success rate).

. Dalot, on the other side, is clearly on the up. Confident, compact, reliable, physically very strong and fast, but more than that, offensively, he’s improving significantly. He provided the depth that the right corridor, specially when Garnacho moves to the left side, doesn’t have (how we miss Amad there). As a proof of that, some stats as always, with 4 dribbling successful attempts out of 5 (80% success rate) and, although the rate wasn’t great (ie. 22% success rate) he made 9 crossing attempts (almost double than Dorgu on the opposite side), with a great reference to the amazing cross to Bruno on the 1st half. Super hard-working, top professional and relentless players are always going to be closer to success and Dalot’s story will be always written with these adjectives.

. The defenders performance is, as the team, getting solid and compact, but Yoro’s performance was something amazing to see! He’s growth in the recent months has been amazing and yesterday’s performance was a solid demonstration of that, with confidence arising in every duel or moment with the ball. Class!

. Ugarte and Casemiro weren’t as effective as one could expect, but I think this pair may be more regular coming to the end of the Season. Two strong hard-working professionals that provide the team with balance and defensive qualities that will be required in some matches until the end.

. Garnacho’s numbers are yet not amazing, with only 33% success rate on dribbling, 36% success on duels, 0 successful crosses (out of 7 attempts) and shots (out of 3 attempts). However, he’s trying. He tried 6 dribbles, 7 crosses, 3 shots and fought at 14 duels (!). He’s effort is being seen and recognized. He’s a young talent that will grow and develop naturally with time, given the patience and appropriate support to flourish. He can’t be the only source of danger and still not ready to take the team on his shoulders, but he’s a hard-worker and, just like some cases in the team, things will eventually turn his way.

Finally, the reason why 2 of the best performers – Bruno and Dorgu – didn’t performed at their best (and I’m not saying they did performed bad, but just not at the level they have been performing before) is yet to be discovered – potentially due to the amount of Games played this Season – affected the team in some proportion.

However, although they weren’t at their best, the rest of the team is developing.

And this is a very good signal!

I see brighter days ahead!

As I’ve been saying here multiple times, it may not take as many years as one would think for Ruben to turn United a natural contender to all titles-races.

I’ve said that there are 3 essential elements for this to happen – Time, Patience and Money.

Time and patience are starting to show results and will bring even more results in the future.

And I’m confident that the investment at the team will come in the Summer.

For now, let’s focus on getting some players back on the field.

With Mainoo and Amad back, and with the team in a complete different moment, we will see different things.

I really see brighter days ahead!

What’s your thoughts?
Can Ruben Amorim turn United into a competitive Club soon?

Comment below and let’s discuss.