The Athletic journalist Phil Hay has said that the Manchester United backline don’t cope with pace well and Leeds United could target this for Sunday afternoon’s clash.
United have struggled defensively this season, and Harry Maguire has been on the receiving end of some harsh critics after videos emerged of his poor defending.
Hay said on his podcast, “If we’re looking at where Manchester United are weak defensively they’re not great, you know, people like Maguire don’t cope particularly well with pace. It’s not like Gelhardt’s lightning but he’s quick enough. Obviously out wide you’ve got James, Rahpinha, Harrison, and perhaps that’s why James might be a good call actually this weekend just because his pace might cause a problem there.
TIF Verdict on Phil Hay’s comments…
Harry Maguire was a star performer for England in Euro 2020, but since his return to the Premier League, he has been in poor form for Manchester United.
When players have been running at the United backline with pace, they have struggled, especially in the central areas as demonstrated in this video.
So, Marcelo Bielsa may opt to play Dan James down the middle of the pitch against his former side, to test the likes of Maguire on his speed.
However, James did in-fact start up front Leeds last week against Everton but Bielsa made a tactical change to put the Welshman out wide at half-time after it wasn’t working up top for the 24-year-old.
Although United have seemingly struggled at the back when faced with pace, the experience of Raphael Varane and Maguire may be enough to deal with Joel Gelhardt, who is just 19-years-old and one of Leeds’ only fit forwards at the club.
With Ralf Rangnick recently announcing that Maguire will remain United captain, this may give the Englishman some needed motivation and inspire him to a change of form for the remainder of the season.