Why Using Jadon Sancho In The Number ’10’ Position Could Revive His Career At Old Trafford Under Erik Ten Hag Tactics – Scout Report

The measure of intelligence is the ability to change. — Albert Einstein

Erik ten Hag is widely regarded as an elite coach.

He is capable of deploying various tactics and using players in different ways to optimise his teams performance by using his players strengths in innovative and unconventional ways.

Erik’s dynamism and automatism were evident in Ajax when he switched his positional approach from operating the midfield with Frenkie de Jong and Lasse Schone to Edson Álvarez and Ryan Gravenberch, using a different dynamic.

Yet, the teams success remained largely unaffected.

Furthermore, his vision and ability to change the positions of some players and explore new capabilities to serve his systems, such as the conversion of Dušan Tadić into a false nine and Neres to a left winger, have enabled him to use players in various alternatives and variations to give the team greater flexibility to deal with any troubles in the different circumstances.

At Man United, after losing twice at the start of the season, the 53-year-old coach has demonstrated his pragmatism by making tactical adjustments which have turned United into a more flexible, competitive, winning team.

Manchester United currently doesn’t match what Ten Hag wants to implement; the team needs squad modifications in the upcoming transfer market.

Previously, due to injuries, suspensions, and a lack of quality in certain positions, especially in midfield, Ten Hag has sometimes had to try new ideas.

This tactical analysis, in the form of a team scout report, illustrates how Erik Ten Hag has attempted to utilise Jadon Sancho in midfield during Leicester, Barcelona, and Southampton games, employing different tactics.

variant 1 vs Leicester

The game against Leicester, like the Tottenham game, showcased Ten Hags superb positional play.

In the second half, Ten Hag pushed Sancho into the midfield to the right half-space.

Meanwhile, Bruno was playing as a right winger.

Putting Bruno and Sancho away from the congested central areas had impacted the dynamics as Bruno being out wide with an open body orientation meant more creativity and accurate crosses from the right, and a technical player like Sancho in half-space meant quick and precise combination plays.

The roamer in half-space or interior corridor can play 360° in a less crowded zone on the blindside of the central players, confusing the opposition’s centre-back and full-back about who is responsible to defend against them and has the chance to gain the numerical advantage by combining or gaining the dynamic superiority through runs in behind or to manipulate the fullback for the diagonal switch for the ball-far winger.

For Sancho’s goal against Leicester, after excellent proactivity from Lisandro Martínez and success to regain the ball from Daka in the centre, Rashford started the transition.

Here below, once Wout Weghorst pulled Faes away, Sancho recognised the space and starts the vertical run on Soumaré’s blindside into the right channel to receive the pass, while Bruno holds the width.

Both defenders had been provoked to press him, opening the space for the Portuguese playmaker and for Sancho to pass the ball to him.

Cleverly, Jadon moves quickly to