Christen Press at Manchester United Women 2020/2021 – scout report

Manchester United Women have made some very good signings this summer, with three players moving to Manchester from the USA: Tobin Heath signed from Portland Thorns, Alessia Russo was in the US college game before her switch, and the third player to join is Christen Press, who moved from Utah Royals, another team in the NWSL (the women’s equivalent of the MLS). This tactical analysis will look in more detail at Press’ game, looking at how she plays on and off the ball, and her versatility in attack, all the while focusing on what she will bring to Manchester United and their tactics this season. We will also look at her statistics from last season, compared to Manchester United’s, giving us a better idea of how she will fit in and improve the team.

With the ball

We will begin this scout report by looking at Christen Press with the ball. In the image below, we can see how, whilst often being the furthest player forward, she likes to bring teammates into the game too.

Here, we can see how Press, in the red circle, has possession but doesn’t shoot at goal from her current position. The Chicago Red Stars defenders are focusing on her, not on her teammate, who is making the run behind them, as the yellow arrow shows. This means that Press has helped her team, who seemingly had nowhere to go, to move the ball forward and continue the attack.

The fact that the supporting runner goes behind Press also helps, because the defenders cannot both mark both players. Their choice is now stopping the run of Press’ teammate, which would give Press an opportunity to then attack forwards, or stopping Press, letting her teammate run behind them. Having a player who can keep possession and hold up play like this is crucial, and will give Manchester United Women a new element in their attack this season. With Press being able to hold up the ball and bring others into the game, they will pose a bigger threat to opposing defences.