PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs Sheffield United FC - Jun 24, 2020 [R]

Yeah, he can't do it 3 games a week for sure. Hopefully with 5 substitutions we don't ask him to play more than 75 minutes at all and try to use him max of once every week.

 

I'm sure everyone already knows this, but on the off chance you don't. Give @utdarena a follow on twitter.

THREAD:

Introducing Possession Value (PV) Maps.

In the last few weeks I have used the PV metric and many of you have liked it as it rewards progressive passing and movement. So, I have built post-game PV maps.

What is PV and how does a PV map work? Let's find out. pic.twitter.com/T32b01oRgO

— UtdArena (@UtdArena) June 26, 2020

He's done a possession value map with a thread explaining in detail what possession value is. TL;DR PV is a score of all your passes. Each zone of the pitch is assisgned a value that represents the chance of a goal being scored from there. If you move the ball from an area you would never score from to an area you are likely to score from, that results in a big increase in PV.

In any case, Pogba's numbers were otherworldly. He not only had the biggest possitive (progressed the ball more than everyone else), but he also had the smallest negative margin (he passed sideways or back the least).

 

Absolutely amazed by the level of Pogs's play after all this time on the sidelines. No rustiness, no feeling his way back: crazy effective right from the word go.
Only stands to reason that he'll only get better/sharper with more time alongside Bruno, Rash and Martial.
Very confident also that the consistency that might have been lacking at times, will become a non issue as well. Very glad (and fortunate) that we have him on the team: only hope it stays this way beyond this summer and particularly beyond next season.

 

A shame he's not been fit but moving past that. The team is just much better set up now.

Under Mourinho, Pogba was supposed to be a 10 and one half of a double 6. An utterly stupid proposition for most that should have been roundly criticized. But... because Pogba has the ability to do both jobs, he was the one who was criticized for not being the alpha and omega in a non-functioning midfield/attack.

If Pogba is not responsible defensively outside of energy and closing passing lanes, then he's free to be an outlet. But even then, you can't pass to yourself. The biggest issue in breaking down organized teams was the ball not sticking and not getting the ball to dangerous areas. In Bruno/Martial we have a 10/9 combo that is mobile and always seeking to link. Add Rashford and we have a WF who also wants to link and is willing to run beyond the last defender.

The team is immensely better structured than

Martia-----------Rashford---------Mata
-------------------------Jesse


Jesse however was perfectly suited to Mou's idea of a 10 (run your ass off and work non-stop, contribute creativity by pressing). But it can't work outside of the counter attack.