What is the profile of modern Full-Back that Ten Hag wished for?

After many unsuccessful experiences with coaches since Sir Alex retiring 2013. The Glazers have decided that Ten Hag is the one who could help the Reds finding their way back to win titles.

When Ten Hag was asked about his style he said: “We want to play proactive, attacking football where it’s possible.”

And now after taking a look in some Pre-season matches the Dutchman had showed us some ideas about the features of the full-backs he wanted to have.

From the first match against Liverpool, The Reds tried to stretch the field as could as possible in the build up with Sancho & Rashford in the wings.

To increase options of passing, Fred dropped down to receive the ball then McTominay took his place in the middle and Dalot went inside waiting for a pass from Varane.

Sancho’s movement dragged Liverpool’s Left-Back to the line which created a space behind him for Dalot to make the run.

Another scene from the same match, Dalot was positioning in the middle rising his hands to let his teammates know that he is ready to get the ball.

Shaw replaced Rashford in the wing giving him the chance to cause more danger in the middle, While Sancho was doing his role distracting Liverpool’s left-back…

…Dalot received the ball with no pressure and played a threating pass that could have been ended with a goal.

In the next match, Man United’s players showed some flexibility in changing positions. Fred was dropping down as usual giving Shaw the space to push forward.

Playing with 3 in back at the last third helping the other players to change their positions. Sometimes when McTominay couldn’t find a space to get the ball we were able to see Dalot in the middle and Sancho & Shaw in the wings.

Man United first signing was Tyrell Malacia from Feyenoord, Ten Hag explained the deal by saying “He is the profile for the modern full-back.”

Malacia had a reputation in Europe as a dynamic defender who also contributes in attack as well as defence, with assisting five goals for Feyenoord last season.

Ten Hag needed a player with a new style who can make different roles than Shaw’s. And one of Malacia’s best qualities his awareness of his position and the way he puts himself in a threating places at the field.

In this Picture, we could see Malacia going deep to get rid from the marking player and take a position in the free space.

Malacia positioned in the half space dragged Crystal Palace’s Right-back with him and left Rashford free in a threating place.

Another scene from the second half we could see Malacia asking Rashford to take his place at the line which could give him the space to receive the ball with no pressure from Crystal Palace’s players.

Man United’s first goal was obviously coming from Erik ten Hag’s tactics, Malacia received the ball in the half space without press, Dalot asked for the ball in a good position and finally a brilliant finish from Martial.

Dalot positioning at the box wasn’t something new, Last season he had number of shoots per 90 minutes (0.65), better than Wan-Bissaka who had (0.25) and this was obviously clear at XG shoot maps of them.

Diogo Dalot XG shoot map of last season (1790 mins) :

Aron Wan-Bissaka XG shoot map of last season (1795 mins) :

At the end, Last year in the Premier League Trent Alexander-Arnold was almost one goal away from winning playmaker of the season award after making (12) assists, only Salah was at the lead with (13) assists.

But if we took a look at the table we could find that also Robertson and Reece James ranked in 3rd and 7th places with (10) & (9) assists in a row.

So, seeing 3 full-backs at the top 7 players of the most powerful league on the planet is an indication of how much football has improved recently.