It has been long in waiting, but the widely anticipated, hugely unorthodox mid-season break from top level club football is here.
Manchester United now don't play again until facing Burnley in the Carabao Cup fourth round three days after the conclusion of the World Cup, with their next Premier League match not until after Christmas when Nottingham Forest make the trip to Old Trafford on December 27.
In terms of the league, United head into the pause in the fifth-place, four points ahead of Liverpool behind; they do have a game in hand on Tottenham Hotspur three points ahead and Newcastle United a further point beyond.
It is testament to the early work of Erik ten Hag that his side remain in such good stead having faced all of the other traditional 'big six' sides in their opening 14 matches, winning three of those meetings - at home against Liverpool, league-leaders Arsenal, and Spurs - and picking up a late point after a strong performance away to Chelsea.
Credit: Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Getty Images
Closing out the first part of the campaign was a trip to Fulham, which drew out a performance which largely felt an encapsulation of the season up until now.
There were phases of possession, but there wasn't yet a sense that United could completely control a match while playing in a proactive manner. The tempo instead wavered.
There have been displays which have been defined by their persistent attacking nature, especially apparent in the win over Tottenham. But consistency has lacked in terms of stringing together a number of performances of such a manner, outlining the adaptation that still has to be undergone.
There often remains an inclination from the side to play to their strengths and resort to what is familiar, which involves being content to allow the opposition to have possession and looking to play on the attacking transition.
While it isn't what Ten Hag will desire as his system in the long-term, it is a methodology that can be effective, especially given the greater commitment to pressing that has been established under the new regime. Holding the minority of possession throughout at Craven Cottage, a number of United's chances did come on the transition after winning the ball back.
The understanding between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial - back starting together again - was an invaluable asset when United were moving forward. There was one early move where Luke Shaw played a trademark through ball in behind the opposing defence, with Rashford making the run and Martial holding back in support, anticipating receiving the ball from Rashford before his effort was saved.
Credit: Craig Mercer/MB Media via Getty Images
Ten Hag's side are improving in terms of breaking down low blocks with a high possession approach, though their go-ahead goal in the 14th minute against Fulham epitomised where some of their biggest strengths lie at present.
Casemiro has been an invaluable presence in midfield, bringing defensive security establishing a balanced partnership with Christian Eriksen - something United have longed for in recent times. It was his robust tackle on the halfway line, emphasising his commitment and ability to read the game, which kickstarted the move from which United scored.
It was a crucial defensive action from Casemiro given Fulham's full-backs were caught in attacking positions. As a result, United were able to show their ability to exploit and punish the presence of vacant space. A quick break ensued, starting with a forward-thinking pass from Eriksen - something that has grown more prominent under Ten Hag in contrast to the passive nature often apparent last term.
Martial was able to pick the ball up on the turn in a pocket as he favours, driving before utilising the supporting cast of Bruno Fernandes, who made a run to his left from his No.10 vacancy. Fernandes appeared to aim his next action goalward, but a deflection saw it fall perfectly into the path of the late-arriving Eriksen, who had made a run from deep after starting the move, at the far post.
It was a well-executed move which, while not legacy of attacking persistence that will have to come into force in the longer term, did align with Ten Hag's desire to create attacking overloads and make the most of spaces.
For Eriksen, it was a deserved first United goal, with his burst forward embodying the hard work which he has continually put in across a substantial number of minutes. He has certainly established himself as one of the side's most valuable players in terms of adding quality in possession.
Credit: Clive Rose via Getty Images
United did attack well when they found themselves with space to work with in forward areas. Martial was evidently a significant contributor to developed fluidity, with fewer break-ups of moves than with Cristiano Ronaldo in the side. Fernandes also proved his reestablished virtue in the side, creating three chances in the first half.
One issue was, however, that United were quite left-centric amid absentees on the right flank. Antony's continued absence was telling in an attacking sense, with Anthony Elanga offering pace and directness but still displaying limitations in his game.
United's imbalance between the flanks was compounded by Diogo Dalot's absence through suspension, hindering progression while also leading to defensive instability. Emphasising Aaron Wan-Bissaka's low status in the side and accentuating the sense of dwindling depth in certain areas, Tyrell Malacia - a left-back by nature - started at right-back.
Without reliable support from Elanga, Malacia was often left isolated up against Willian, who was exploiting the Dutchman's struggles playing out of position. As a result, United often leaked chances and David De Gea was forced into making some important saves.
It was an issue which really outlined the need for the acquisition of a greater number of options that Ten Hag trusts. At present, more than one attacking absentee depletes quality somewhat, with a back line not perceived as Ten Hag's 'main four' causing issues.
During a time in which matches have stacked up due to the World Cup interfering with the regular scheduling of a campaign, lacks in depth have been telling. Against Fulham, there were periods that United were noticeably starting to tire as the match progressed, inhibiting their ability to establish much of a rhythm for large phases of the affair.
Credit: GLYN KIRK via Getty Images
One of the biggest flaws of Ten Hag's side, amid their strength on the attacking transition, remains defending transitions. It's not a major or unfixable problem, evidenced by the recent seven-match run of not conceding from open play. However, it was a pertinent issue against Aston Villa the weekend prior and led to a concession against Fulham.
Individual errors have still riddled United at times, and it was initially a very loose touch from Fernandes, who had otherwise been typically productive, which allowed Fulham to catch United out.
Saying that, it wasn't a goal born out of fortune; Marco Silva's side were deserving of levelling the scoreline given the volume of chances they created. Their 10 second half shots confirmed the threat that they carried.
Fulham were incisive in the build-up to the goal, capitalising on United's full-backs being caught in attacking positions. Willian drove into the vacant space, with Tom Cairney showing nous to make a run into the area which Malacia should have been defending. Cairney was able to play a first-time ball across the face of United's goal, with Dan James using his trademark pace to edge in front of Shaw and beat De Gea.
Not for the first time this term, United were left ruing missed opportunities after conceding. Namely late in the first half, they had two considerable chances to double their advantage: Martial showed a possible lack of sharpness after injury by missing a good headed chance (he will have to stay fit more after the World Cup), while Eriksen arrived late in the box and skewed an effort wide.
Credit: Clive Rose via Getty Images
When acknowledging his side to be struggling in matches, Ten Hag hasn't often shown much hesitance to change things up (the loss to Villa being an exception).
Before Fulham drew level around the hour mark, Ten Hag made an alteration that has become somewhat rudimentary, replacing an attacker with a midfielder as Scott McTominay replaced Elanga.
It's a strange innovation of Ten Hag's, with McTominay often operating higher up the pitch with Fernandes shifted to the right flank, where he is noticeably less effective due to diminished involvement. It is a ploy offering a strong indictment as to United's requirement of signing a striker.
However unusual and overthought Ten Hag's substitutions may sometimes seem, his in-game proactivity is a key feature that sets him apart from previous regimes. Just after the 70th minute, the withdrawal of Martial, which seemed a negative switch on the face of things, and introduction of Alejandro Garnacho proved a masterstroke.
With essentially the final kick of the match, Ten Hag's change proved defining as Garnacho stepped up to the mark again, scoring a winner quite literally at the death.
Eriksen was an integral contributor again, showing composure and neglecting to rush an initial pass from deep, subsequently picking the ball back up from Garnacho after a dart further forward. Again, he could have showed desperation, but instead Eriksen slid a ball into the opposing penalty area for Garnacho to run onto.
It looked unlikely that Garnacho would be favourite to win the ball, but he showed pace and desire to sprint onto the ball and slide a left-footed finish past Bernd Leno. It was a crucial moment dealt with courtesy of assurance beyond Garnacho's years, showing attitude that starkly contrasts any sense that he remains problematic for Ten Hag.
Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images
It was yet another match which presented the knack of Ten Hag's side to win when not at their best and faced with adversity. Last season, there was a side fragmented amid adversity, while there is now a team that pull together when faced with adversity.
Camaraderie was on display as the side embraced Garnacho at full-time - a significant reason for the fact that United still haven't lost from a winning position this term.
The World Cup comes at a time where United will gratefully receive a period of recuperation, however Ten Hag will be unhappy at the fact that clear progress being made will be halted over the coming month. At least he will have time to work with a number of players during the break, further helping to instill some of his methods.
One thing is clear: United are on a clear upward trajectory. And it is certainly helpful that they head into the mid-season break on a high note.
Comments