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With the chips down, Manchester United managed to hold an in-form Aston Villa to a goalless draw to grab a point from their Premier League game at Villa Park on Sunday.
As was seen last season during the closing stages of the season, Erik ten Hag asked his players to play a more pragmatic style which resulted in the team being much harder to break down.
The Dutchman has usually done this when his job has been on the line and once again the move paid dividends with his switch to a double pivot helping shield the backline much more.
Playing only Casemiro or Manuel Ugarte at the base of the midfield usually results in them getting overrun due to the manager’s chaos style.
Eriksen-Mainoo combo was solid
But with Christian Eriksen and Kobbie Mainoo playing in that role against Unai Emery’s men, the hosts found it difficult to play through the visitors while also having a level of elegance on the ball.
Last season, the Dane was complaining to the manager about his lack of starts with Ten Hag saying it was because of Mainoo’s emergence. Now, the Dutchman has been forced to play the duo together.
The Denmark international has now started six games this season with the manager clearly seeing the benefits of playing a passmaster in the midfield.
Eriksen completed 91% of his passes with 41 out of 45 passes going to a teammate while having 53 touches of the ball. He also completed two key passes.
Three out of four long balls also found a teammate while two crosses out of five found their mark (stats via sofascore). What he lacks in physicality, the former Spurs man makes up for in his ability with the ball and his hardworking nature.
Doubts persist regarding EtH
The 32-year-old also did quite a lot of work off the ball, making one foul that saw him receive an early yellow. He also completed one clearance and made one tackle.
He won only one ground duel out of three and lost his only aerial duel. But with Mainoo beside him, the duo ate up a lot of ground together which thwarted Villa’s attacks.
But a point will not suffice for INEOS with United languishing in 14th place, their worst start to a season in 35 years. Something has to give and soon.
International break comes at the right time for this beleaguered side. Now the new co-owners need to think long and hard and come to a decision regarding the manager.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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