After the 0-1 defeat to Wolves, the media, journalists, celebrities and fans were discussing Manchester United's issues extensively and enthusiastically. Some questioned Lonnick's formation and tactics, and some pointed out the lack of Manchester United's back ability, and the most intense discussion was about Ronaldo. The outside world is basically divided into two factions, one faction believes that the return of Ronaldo has disrupted Manchester United's rebuilding plan, and the other faction believes that Manchester United's current predicament should not be blamed on C Ronaldo, after all, he is the most capable player in Manchester United to score goals. In short, these 2 statements are clearly spoken, but no one can convince anyone.
So is Manchester United's current predicament really blamed on Cristiano Ronaldo? The first thing we have to be clear is what problems Manchester United have today.
The biggest dissatisfaction with Manchester United today is that after the replacement of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the team's scene has not changed at all. In the past 5 league rounds, Manchester United's opponents are significantly no stronger than during the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era. The outside world expected to take a full 15 points, and the result was only 10 points. How's the scene? Against relegated team Norwich, Ronaldo scored three points on a penalty in the 75th minute. Against another relegation team, Newcastle, United luckily took away 1 point; at home against Wolves, Manchester United were almost passive.
A team plays like this and puts the blame on a player? This is biased. Manchester United played like this, and Lonnick was actually to blame.
When Asked how to use Ronaldo after joining Manchester United, Ronnick, who bore the aura of the "godfather of German football", was asked how to use Ronaldo, and his response at the time was: "You have to adjust your own style, or your understanding and ideas of football, to adapt to the existing players in your squad, not the opposite (let them adapt to you)." I've seen Ronaldo perform in yesterday's game, he's 36 years old but still an amazing top pro. At his age, I've never seen a player as physically fit as he is, and he's still a player who can easily change everything on the pitch. ”
Develop tactics according to the characteristics of the player, which is also the performance that a master tactician should have. But judging from the performance of the past 5 league rounds, Lonnick said that he did not do it, he just moved the Manchester United players into the 4222 formation he was good at.
4222 With no winger, the ability requirements for the double back and the two full-backs have suddenly increased, requiring the ability to advance with the ball and organize the transfer of the ball. Telles and Dalot are more offensive, after using 3 starts, they found that they could not meet the requirements, and continued to replace Luke Shaw and Van Bissaka for experiments, in fact, the effect also did not meet the requirements. To put it bluntly, United currently do not have the full-backs who meet the requirements on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, especially on the right.
The same is true at the back, Fred and Scott McTominay have always been criticized for their ability to shoot the ball, unable to hold the ball when facing confrontations, and not good at long pass transfers. In addition, because Manchester United basically gave up the high pressing, the two front waists needed to pull the edge, and it was difficult to help the back defense in time. Once the opponent defends and attacks, the 2 backs will face the middle of the road as wide as the sea. With the defensive ability of Manchester United's two backs, it is difficult to protect the back line.
In addition, the establishment of a double front waist, B fee away from the penalty area, the role is greatly weakened. He was not good at rib work and could only rely on passing to contact the forward players, and his mistakes increased. Let him retreat to take the ball to help the organization is even more blind operation, B Fei is not good at taking the ball to get rid of, holding the ball to advance. The closer he gets to the opponent's penalty area, the greatest threat is, and the other way around, the shorter he is.
As for Ronaldo, his ability has dropped significantly compared with his peak, and now his biggest role lies in his ability to finish in the penalty area, headers and grab points. And Lonnick's 4222 formation requires two forwards to have impact, isn't it difficult for a strongman? In addition, Lonnick asked Ronaldo to withdraw to take the ball, which is tantamount to short and long.
In short, It is impossible for Lonnick not to know anything about the abilities of United players before joining. But he still stubbornly demanded that these players be up to the roles he had given them, and in the end the whole team was like a lost soul, and everything did not play well.
Although Ronaldo is not at his peak, his goal-scoring ability is still online, not much different from the Serie A Golden Boots that season at Juventus. As an interim manager with only half a year, time is the most precious. Today's squad is left behind by the predecessor, and the characteristics of the players are also configured according to 4231. Lonnick needs to be individually taught and develop the most appropriate tactics according to the characteristics of the players. Instead of overturning it all, experiment with a more demanding lineup when points are most needed.
In addition, it is normal for C Luo to have physical problems, after all, he is 36 years old, but what does the head coach do? Doesn't Lonnick see how the players are doing? What is your physical performance? Carrick dared to rotate C Ronaldo, Lonnick this only half a year afraid of what? If the rotation is helpful to the team's record, no one will have an opinion. He is so dependent on Ronaldo, can it be said that it is also a manifestation of lack of self-confidence?
Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave Juve and let him go to Manchester City to compete for the Champions League, and it is not good to compete with Messi for the Golden Ball? However, the top brass and celebrities of Manchester United are unwilling to accept it and go all out to cut off the beard. Well, after returning to Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's rotation was questioned by a flood of voices, and he was scared to never rotate again. Now Lonnick does not dare to rotate, let him start on the field, and then blame a 36-year-old veteran for lack of running, is this not unreasonable?
You buy him back to be used reasonably, is it necessary to score goals in the field, and run 60 meters back to defend to have a sense of existence? Even if you take down Ronaldo, the ability of full-backs and backs is not up to the requirements of 4222? Now Lonnick's tactics have made the players of the whole team ignorant, and the players have begun to be dissatisfied and questioned, which is the original sin.