How does Erik Ten Hag's Manchester United look without Cristiano Ronaldo?

How does the Dutch manager like to set up his teams? Which current United players suit his system? and would the departure of one of football's all-time greats really be that bad?

As has been widely reported this week, Cristiano Ronaldo is looking for a way out of Manchester United. The superstar allegedly believes that the difference between the club's ambitions for the immediate future and his ambitions to continue competing for titles in the latter stages of his career are too different for him to want to continue to play in Manchester. The potential departure of one of United's greatest ever players and their top provider last season has raised plenty of questions as to where United go from here? Surely losing your top scorer (by some margin) can only spell trouble for any team, but in the case of Ten Haags Manchester United, the departure of Ronaldo is probably the best thing for them.

Erik Ten Hag's impressive Ajax team played a high-intensity, high-pressure style of possession-based football. Ten Hag favours a 4-3-3 formation in which his central defenders play quickly out from the back. He likes to play with one central midfielder who can drop into defence and either pick up the ball from the defender or plug the gap when defending themselves. Most importantly, he relies on his attackers to press high up the pitch when they lose possession, intending to regain it in the final third quickly. Last season Ajax won possession in the final third on average 7.6 times per match, the highest in the league. This number is the same as Liverpool's last season, which was the highest in the Premier League. By contrast, Manchester United averaged regaining possession in the final third only 4.4 times per match, ranking them 12th in the Premier League. Striker Sebastian Haller embodied this high-pressure style, Ajax's top scorer last season averaged 16.87 pressures per 90. Compare this to Cristiano Ronaldo, who averaged 6.54 pressures per 90, putting him in the first percentile of all forwards in Europe last season, and Ten Hag clearly would have a selection headache on his hands with the 37-year-old superstar. A player who would be more suited to the high-pressing forward role is Marcus Rashford. While the striker didn't have a great season, he still averaged 17.75 pressures per 90. Players who could also suit a Ten Haag front 3 are Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga, whose passing, pressing, and dribbling stats show they could all be valuable role players in a team suited to quick passing and high energy. While a front 3 of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Elanga, and Jadon Sancho might scare United fans after what they saw last season, under Ten Hag's management, it might just work, more so than trying to force an ageing Ronaldo into a team that relies upon pressing that he will not do.

United's defence and midfield are not short of issues themselves. The stats of Harry Maguire and Rafael Varane show they did not play a large enough role in United's attack to suit Ten Hag. Both of United's primary central defenders were rarely involved in positive passing and dribbling moves, especially when compared to Ajax's top-performing defender from last season, Jurrien Timber. Timber ranked in the top 3rd percentile amongst all defenders in Europe's top five leagues for pass completion percentage, progressive passes/carries, and completed dribbles. Though you only must look back a couple of seasons to see that Varane's attacking play at Real Madrid and Maguire's at Leicester were significantly better than they have been with United. So, while Ten Haag may be looking to recruit, he may be able to get something out of Varane and Maguire in his system. In the full-back position, Ten Hag likes quick, attacking players who are athletic and can combine well with his wingers. He has already snapped up Tyrell Malacia, who fits the profile for what he might seek in a left-back. Diego Dalot also fits the bill on the right-hand side, while Alex Telles, Luke Shaw, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka don't have quite as impressive attacking statistics.

Manchester United's midfield is exceptionally thin. With Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic departing, the only United midfielders with regular first-team experience are Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Donny Van De Beek, and Fred. While Bruno Fernandes will likely play behind the striker, Ten Hag will have to decide what to do in the other two midfield positions if he plays with a three. Donny Van De Beek and James Garner will both be returning from their respective loans for pre-season. Both have a chance of featuring for Ten Hag next season, as James Garner is coming off a great season with Nottingham Forest, where he exhibited all the traits of a midfielder that Ten Hag would like. While Donny Van De Beek was one of the most critical players in Ten Hag's Ajax side a few seasons ago. Whether either of these players plays an important role in the United side remains to be seen. Still, United fans are unlikely to be confident unless their side brings in at least one more midfielder, with Frenkie De Jong, the most prominent candidate at the moment.

Manchester United touched down in Bangkok this morning to begin their pre-season tour. The Red Devils take on Liverpool this Tuesday, July 12th, at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok before heading off to Australia for more pre-season fixtures against Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Melbourne Victory. It will be fascinating to see how United set up in what is a challenging first test for Erik Ten Hag.

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