Eva Olid was given the Manchester United job with a reputation for playing high-possession attacking football and her impressive spell at Hearts demonstrated those ideals. In her opening weeks in the Women's Super League, however, she has struggled to get her team playing this type of dominant football, even if an eye-catching 10-1 win at Sheffield United in the League Cup on Wednesday suggested she was making progress. On the WSL's opening night, United lost 2-1 to London City Lionesses before suffering a 5-0 defeat by Chelsea.
They responded by drawing 1-1 with Arsenal in a performance far more pragmatic than many might have expected. Following the turbulent start, we analysed Olid's United, unpacking her tactical approach and the tweaks she has made from predecessor Marc Skinner. Man Utd put 10 past Blades as Olid gets first win Olid's Man Utd take big step forward after 'intense week' Under Olid, United look to play out from the back.
For a team ultimately wanting to dominate the ball, short passes help reduce the 50-50 nature of long balls. Their build-up normally starts from a 4-2 or 3-2 base, with the central midfielders forming a narrow two. The winger on the same side as the ball tends to stay high and wide, while the far-side winger drops deeper, playing alongside the number 10 and creating a box in midfield.
Although Skinner's United also used a 4-2 or 3-2 base, their principles were different. His formation was generally a more stretched and symmetrical 3-2-2-3 with players given more fixed positions to occupy. His number 10s were often asked to stay high in pockets, to either receive the ball in dangerous areas or drag opponents away to create space elsewhere.
Her central players are given greater licence to come towards the ball, likely to create overloads in the middle of the pitch. For example, if Park switches from the flank into central midfield, should the opposition full-back follow her? If they do not, it should hand United a numerical advantage around the ball.
This reflects in where United now focus their play. That is because when opponents defend zonally, crowding central areas gives United more numbers in the middle. If defences compensate by narrowing, space appears on the outside for unmarked players.
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