Manchester United’s quest to return to the summit of English football has been marked by fits and starts, moments of promise interspersed with periods of frustrating stagnation. One area where the club has particularly struggled is in the creation of consistent attacking threats. While there have been flashes of individual brilliance, a cohesive and dynamic offensive system has often seemed elusive. In the meantime, across town at the Etihad, a Brazilian winger named Savinho is quietly putting on a masterclass in modern wing play. His recent performances, most notably against West Ham United, offer a compelling blueprint for how United could revitalize their own attacking game.
Savinho’s contributions to City’s dominant 4-1 victory over West Ham served as a sharp reminder of the potency that a dynamic winger can bring to a team. His ability to create goals, not just score them, was evident with multiple assists, showcasing a blend of directness, pace, and an uncanny ability to unlock defenses. This is a skillset that, at present, seems to be lacking in the Manchester United squad. As the club looks to the future, the question must be asked: can they replicate this kind of threat in their own side?
Savinho: A Case Study in Modern Wing Play
Savinho’s direct style is a breath of fresh air in a modern game increasingly dominated by inverted wingers who cut inside. He is a throwback to the classic winger, one who hugs the touchline and takes on defenders with a combination of pace and close control. During the match against West Ham, his performance was a masterclass in this approach:
- Direct Runs: Savinho constantly looked to take on his marker, often beating him on the outside with quick bursts of acceleration. This directness forced the West Ham defense to constantly react and adjust, creating gaps and spaces in the process.
- Precise Delivery: His assists demonstrated an ability to deliver accurate crosses into the box, whether from the byline or from deeper positions. The whipped cross for Erling Haaland’s header was a perfect example of the threat posed by a winger who can consistently find teammates with precise deliveries.
- Vision and Awareness: He possesses a keen sense of his surroundings, knowing when to take on a defender himself and when to release a teammate into space. This understanding allowed him to create multiple opportunities for City’s attackers, often leading to goals.
These attributes, when combined, make Savinho a nightmare for opposing defenders. He is not just a goalscorer, but a catalyst for the entire team. The modern game requires players who can do more than just find the net, and Savinho’s ability to both create and score shows that he is an example of this.
Manchester City’s Tactical Structure: A Platform for Wingers
Of course, Savinho’s success isn’t solely down to his own individual talent. The tactical structure at Manchester City also provides an environment where a player like him can flourish. Pep Guardiola’s system often emphasizes:
- Width and Spacing: City’s wide players stretch the opposition’s defense, creating space in the central areas and also giving the wingers room to operate in. This approach ensures that wingers like Savinho aren’t isolated but instead are integral to the team’s build-up play.
- Quick Transitions: City’s swift transitions from defense to attack often catch opponents off guard. This type of play allows a fast winger like Savinho to utilize his pace and make runs into open space.
- Attacking Freedom: Guardiola’s system allows his wingers the freedom to take on defenders one-on-one, empowering them to make their own decisions in the final third.
This system is carefully designed to enhance the strengths of its attacking players, and Manchester United must examine these aspects as they look to enhance their own attack.
Manchester United’s Current Wing Options and Tactical Approach
In contrast, Manchester United’s approach to wing play has been inconsistent, and at times, ineffective. The club’s current options are a mix of players with different skillsets, but a clear identity or tactical direction on the flanks seems to be missing.
- Inverted Wingers: A lot of Manchester United’s wingers tend to cut inside onto their stronger foot. While this can be effective in certain situations, it often makes the attack predictable and easy for opponents to defend against.
- Lack of Directness: Too often, the club’s wingers lack the directness and pace that can unsettle opposition defenses. There seems to be a preference for playing safe, rather than taking risks that can create goal scoring chances.
- Limited Space: The club’s tactical system is often congested, particularly in the center of the pitch, and the wingers are sometimes isolated and don’t have enough space to play their game. This makes it harder for them to receive the ball in dangerous areas.
The lack of a clear tactical approach and defined player roles has hampered the team’s ability to consistently create opportunities. A comparison with Savinho’s dynamism highlights the areas in which the team needs to improve. While the Manchester United players may have talent, the team must be set up in a way that allows the individual to thrive.
Replicating Savinho’s Impact: A Multi-Pronged Approach for Manchester United
For Manchester United to replicate Savinho’s impact, they need to undertake a comprehensive revamp of their attacking approach. This means changes in player recruitment, player development, and tactical structures:
- Recruitment:
- Identifying Dynamic Wingers: The club needs to target players who are capable of taking on defenders, providing accurate crosses, and contributing with goals. They need a clear profile of the kind of player they want to bring in.
- Prioritizing Pace and Directness: Bringing in players with a burst of pace is crucial, as well as those who are confident to take on their marker with a direct approach, not just to come inside.
- Versatile Skillsets: The ideal wingers should also have the capacity to play in multiple positions if needed, giving the team greater flexibility.
- Player Development:
- Coaching on the Wings: The club must implement specific training that focuses on wing play. This includes drills that work on improving a player’s ability to take on defenders one-on-one, as well as their crossing and finishing.
- Creating an Environment of Risk: The training environment must encourage players to take more risks in the final third, as this is where goals are created. This is done by ensuring that players feel comfortable taking on their marker and trying new things.
- Vision and Awareness: Training should also focus on improving a player’s vision, their understanding of when to run, pass, or cross, and where the space is on the pitch.
- Tactical Adjustments:
- Creating Space for Wingers: The team’s tactics should involve creating more space on the wings, giving the wide players an opportunity to exploit that space, which can be done by stretching the opposition’s defensive line.
- Faster Transitions: Manchester United must transition from defense to attack much quicker. This can be achieved by ensuring there are more players making runs into space when a turnover occurs.
- Attacking Variety: The team’s attacking patterns should incorporate different attacking options, making it harder for opposing defenses to anticipate what is coming.
The Value of Wingers in the Modern Game
While there have been trends in football that have moved away from traditional wing play, Savinho’s recent displays highlight just how valuable a direct and dynamic winger can be. They provide:
- Width and Balance: They can stretch defenses, creating space for other attackers and providing balance to an attack.
- Unpredictability: A good winger can make an attack more difficult to defend against, as they are always a threat to run past a defender and create a scoring opportunity.
- Goal Creation: Wingers can create goals and provide vital assists, as was clear from Savinho’s match against West Ham.
- A Change of Approach: They offer a different way of attacking, rather than always playing through the center, and provide an option to change the game plan when required.
Conclusion: A New Era for Manchester United’s Attack
Savinho’s performances serve as a clear lesson to Manchester United. A dynamic winger can have a huge impact on the entire team. By analyzing what makes Savinho so effective, and by implementing changes in player recruitment, development, and tactics, the team can reinvent their own attack. It is not enough to look for short term solutions. The club needs to look to the future, and the development of a modern attack can help them become a real force once again.
Manchester United’s struggles in recent years have often been traced back to a lack of creativity and incision in the final third. A renewed focus on direct wing play, inspired by Savinho, could be the catalyst for a resurgence. The club must embrace the need for change, and develop a system that works for them. The future of the club might just depend on it.