The forward options for Manchester United this season have impressed, with James and Greenwood being the option from the right. Yet to step up to the next level United need to find an inside forward suited to the right side, to match the effect Rashford has from the left, so that they can implement an attacking overload.

Shape

It is clear that United want to systematically have their forwards play like Liverpool’s, with Martial playing similar to Firmino in a False 9, and two inside forwards, with the fullbacks offering the width.

The difference in shape however, is that on the right United have James, who likes to keep his width and also is right footed, so is reluctant to cut inside, this gives the United fullback less chance to be an attacking option on the right flank and to overload the attack. Where as Trent is ready to occupy the right side of attack when Salah makes a move infield Liverpool’s overload is clear in the pictures with United being 3 v 6 and Liverpool being 6 v 6 in their attacks.

Personnel

But also Wan Bissaka simply does not have the attacking output that TAA offers, Trent has 8 assists so far the season, which is the 2nd best in the league and is one the best crossers of the ball in Europe, averaging an assist every 22.3 crosses in the 2018/19 season. AWB’s attacking ability has been questioned by many, and if United are to carry on with the False 9 and inside forwards, it could be more beneficial to use Dalot on the right side, being a more direct and attacking fullback, although he is definitely more of a liability on the defensive side. However the attacking side of the full backs game in this system is more important and a CM such as McTominay could cover for the RB defensively.

Although, for an attacking right back to work at United, a new Right forward would be needed, who is comfortable coming inside and can link up play with the other forwards. For now though, James is a great counter-attacking option with his speed, but Greenwood offers more, being able to come inside and is clinical in front of goal, and can also open up space for a right back to overload the attack.

A profile such as Samuel Chukwueze or Ousmane Dembele would suit the position, being direct, technical dribblers, who are comfortable cutting inside and linking play, this is shown below. This would then allow United to overload the opposition half with the fullbacks and midfield options, where as now as seen in the shape VS Man City they are relying on individual magic from the front 3/4 alone to score.

Dynamic

With a new RW, and potentially a new LB (use Williams if not) Man Utd can play the attacking style they want to with more success. As you can see in the diagram below, Williams and Dalot would drive forward down the flanks, while Rashford and Greenwood/New RW drift inside, and Martial drops just behind to link the play from midfield to attack and to then get into the box for a cut back from wide or a link up with one of the the wingers. This means that the inside forwards need to ensure they are gambling on the last defender for crosses, as the 9 cannot do this. Salah and Mane have scored many goals from this position. (seen below)

Here, Liverpool show the forward dynamic perfectly in Salah’s goal VS West Ham. You can see that Firmino (circled) is in a deep position after having linked up play with Kieta, also, looking at Mane’s position; he has came very narrow, bringing the RB with him, which has then given Robertson space on the left. With Milner also being high, it has caused a 6v6 to occur.

Robertson has been given the ball out wide and as you can see, Firmino has picked up a position coming into the box from the edge and the 2 forwards are on the last line of defense, Robertson’s quality allows him to drill a pass across the 6 yard box, which Salah ended up finishing. Looking at the imagine, Liverpool have 4 players inside the box and 2 just outside it. Showing their attacking dynamic allows a greater chance of a goal to happen due to the overload.

With the right personnel and coaching, United would be able to implement an attacking overload in their play, which could solve many of their problems going forward like dealing with deep blocks. With Martial and Rashford, they have 2 important tools to play the dynamic, yet it would also take a lot for it to work for the Red Devil’s.