Analyzing Manchester United’s Tactical Challenges Since Cristiano Ronaldo’s Return
Cristiano Ronaldo’s much-anticipated return to Manchester United brought immediate excitement, with the Red Devils enjoying a dominant 4-1 victory over Newcastle, highlighted by two goals from the Portuguese star. However, since that impressive reintroduction, Manchester United’s performances have faltered, with only two wins in seven games and widespread criticism of both style and substance. While scrutiny often falls on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s management, United’s struggles run much deeper. Below, we examine the key tactical problems affecting Manchester United in the post-Ronaldo era, from disjointed attacks to defensive frailties.
Disrupted Attacking Cohesion and Reduced Fluidity Up Front
Manchester United’s attacking play, once characterized by fluid movement and combinations, has become noticeably less coordinated since Ronaldo’s arrival. The team previously relied on a blend of counter-attacking speed and width, with fullbacks overlapping and players like Cavani, Rashford, Greenwood, and Fernandes interchanging sharply. This approach allowed for a balanced offense, benefiting from a variety of goal-scoring threats and direct service into the box.
Ronaldo’s presence, while undeniably influential, has altered these dynamics. The creative focus of both Pogba and Bruno Fernandes has shifted, often funneling possession toward Ronaldo. Rather than exploiting multiple runs from various forward players, passes now target the Portuguese striker, who is frequently surrounded by defenders, limiting his effectiveness. The previous system, which relied on quick ball progression and exploiting defensive gaps, has been traded for more direct but predictable service into heavily congested zones.
Additionally, Marcus Rashford’s injury at the start of the campaign removed United’s most effective counter-attacking option just as Greenwood’s role as a central striker was reduced. Jesse Lingard, another fleet-footed attacker, has also been sidelined for more traditional playmakers and forwards, further blunting United’s once-notorious breakaway threat. Without their previous balance and with a slower, more static focal point in attack, United have struggled to recreate the attacking fluency of earlier campaigns.
Even defensively, changes have had unintended consequences for United’s attack. Raphael Varane’s introduction has relegated Victor Lindelof, a centre-back surprisingly adept at launching direct passes over the top, to the bench. Lindelof’s ability to initiate attacks from deep provided an underappreciated tool to unlock compact defenses. With him out, United’s build-up becomes even more predictable and less varied.
Heavy Dependence on Bruno Fernandes and Inconsistent Risk Management
Despite boasting a star-studded squad, Manchester United often rely excessively on Bruno Fernandes for both chance creation and finishing. Fernandes was pivotal last season not only as a scorer but as the creative hub, drawing on the movement of wide players like Rashford and the intelligent positioning of Cavani in the box. The addition of Ronaldo has shifted this balance, with more moves funneled through the new striker and less diversity in attacking build-up.
Paul Pogba remains a gifted playmaker, but his moments of inspiration usually dovetail with Fernandes’ best performances, highlighting rather than alleviating the overreliance on a single creative force. When Pogba’s influence wanes or he’s deployed deeper to compensate for midfield imbalances, Fernandes is left to carry the creative burden alone—often attempting ambitious passes where simpler progression would suffice.
This risk-prone approach results in turnovers and missed opportunities, hampering United’s efficiency. Meanwhile, new signings like Jadon Sancho are still seeking consistent form and connection with teammates, and players such as Anthony Martial have seen involvement reduced, limiting alternative avenues for creation and goal threat.
With Rashford’s expected return, some attacking width and pace may be restored. However, unless the team’s overall structure is recalibrated to diversify creative responsibilities, the reliance on Fernandes is likely to continue undermining United’s attacking rhythm.
Persistent Vulnerabilities in Set-Piece Defense
One of United’s most glaring issues remains their inability to defend set-pieces effectively. This frailty is not a new concern; last season, United struggled with a zonal marking scheme that left them susceptible to aerial threats, often allowing opposition players to outmuscle smaller defenders. Despite ample time to address these weaknesses, little progress has been evident.
Opponents have exploited this vulnerability by delivering balls to the near post, encouraging flick-ons and creating unmarked tap-in opportunities at the back post. Statistically, United have conceded three goals from set-pieces in the early part of the season, a worrying figure for a team that typically controls possession and, in theory, should face fewer set-piece threats.
Defensive hesitancy compounds these issues. Players have been observed unnecessarily conceding corners or failing to clear danger effectively, directly resulting in goals against. Such recurring mistakes reflect deeper organizational problems and a lack of confidence when dealing with dead-ball situations.
Defensive Instability During Transitions
Beyond set-piece defending, Manchester United’s issues in transition are particularly damaging. The midfield pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay is often criticized, yet in their absence, the team’s defensive organization tends to deteriorate further. The primary problem lies not with individual players, but with the collective approach to halting opposition counter-attacks.
United’s defense frequently lacks patience and discipline when facing quick transitions. Defenders like Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are prone to abandoning structure by stepping out of line or overcommitting, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s tendency to slide-tackle often leaves gaps when he fails to win the ball cleanly. Fred, despite his tenacity, is dribbled past frequently, underscoring the need for a more cohesive defensive setup.
This vulnerability is exacerbated when creative players such as Pogba are used in deeper roles—positions that demand defensive discipline they are not best suited for. Overcommitting players forward without adequate cover leaves the side exposed; fullbacks caught high upfield and insufficient midfield support mean United are easily bypassed on the break.
The league’s most successful teams, including Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea, excel in defending transitions, slowing down opposition and regrouping quickly. By contrast, United’s ongoing identity crisis and lack of defensive organization in these moments continue to be a significant barrier to consistent results.
Conclusion: The Need for Tactical Realignment
Manchester United’s recent tactical struggles cannot be attributed to a single source. Instead, a series of compounding factors—unbalanced attacking structure, over-reliance on individual brilliance, persistent defensive frailties at set-pieces, and poor organization in transitions—have hampered the team since Ronaldo’s arrival.
Resolving these issues requires a commitment to restoring attacking fluidity, sharing creative responsibilities, and implementing defensive discipline both from set-pieces and in open play. With a talented squad at his disposal, the challenge for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his staff is not just accommodating superstars but blending their talents into a cohesive, modern footballing unit capable of contending at the very highest level.
