MUNMan UnitedClub page
RBLRB LeipzigClub page
Squad value€928.8m
Squad value€515m
Key playerBryan Mbeumo
Key playerAntonio Nusa
Head coachMichael Carrick
Head coachMartín Demichelis
Live on Canal+ · France
Live on DAZN or Prime Video · Germany
Live on RTÉ, Premier Sports or Virgin Media · Ireland
Live on Sky Sport or Prime Video · Italy
Live on Ziggo Sport · Netherlands
Live on Movistar Plus+ · Spain
Live on TNT Sports or Prime Video · UK
Live on Paramount+, TUDN or DAZN · USA
Pundits are split on how hard they chase the ball: some say they hunt the ball high up the pitch, others that they wait and pick their moments.
“A 4-2-4 built on "trios," third-man runs and a high press designed to create counter-attacks.”“United have proportionately deployed a high block to a greater extent than any other Premier League team this season (42%) and this is up considerably from Carrick’s time in charge last term (26%).”“Without the ball Carrick enforced a compact mid-block and a simple 4-4-2 press.”“In fact, the three games when opposition teams have completed most passes against United have come in the last three games against Como, Atletico Madrid and Leeds. This has coincided with Carrick's attempts to be more compact and solid defensively.”When pressed, United keep passing it around at the back rather than going long.
“Rather than force long balls forward when the press arrived, United’s centre-backs and goalkeeper kept circulating possession.”They keep the ball longer than they used to and work it through the centre, with Bruno Fernandes playing just behind the striker.
“Bruno Fernandes returned to the No.10 role, full-backs became more asymmetrical, and United played with longer, more central possession sequences.”Leipzig do most of their defending a long way from their own goal.
“Their defensive activity takes place relatively far from their own goal.”New coach, new tempo. Leipzig want the ball but they also want to win it back fast and go straight for goal the moment they do.
“The former Bayern defender wants RB to play with intensity, aggressive pressing and quick vertical attacks after turnovers without surrendering possession and control entirely.”One midfielder stays home; the other two sprint past the striker into the box. Both full-backs push right up the touchline, and the second the ball is lost everyone piles in to get it back.
“Demichelis took the same positional six, the same adventurous eights, the same aggressive full-backs and the same immediate transition pressure into his first competitive match.”