Introduction
In the 2025 season, Manchester United’s performance, especially in defense, has been far from satisfactory. While the team has shown improvements in attacking play, their defensive vulnerabilities remain a major issue. A concerning stat is the 1.8 goals conceded per game, which highlights the team’s inability to solidify their backline. One key factor in this defensive fragility is Erik ten Hag’s insistence on a high-pressing game, which often leaves the defense exposed. This tactical choice, however, seems to conflict directly with the limitations of Harry Maguire, whose mobility issues have been a persistent problem. The clash between Ten Hag’s high press and Maguire’s lack of speed and agility has led to numerous defensive lapses, which has cost Manchester United crucial points throughout the season.
In this article, we will examine how Ten Hag’s high pressing philosophy interacts with Maguire’s defensive limitations, and how this tactical clash may be contributing to Manchester United’s defensive instability.
1. Ten Hag’s Tactical Approach: High Pressing and Its Demands
Erik ten Hag’s tactical philosophy revolves around a high pressing game, which has become a hallmark of his managerial style. The high press is designed to win the ball back quickly by applying pressure to the opponent high up the pitch, forcing them into mistakes and regaining possession in dangerous areas. The goal is to transition rapidly from defense to attack, using fast, direct football to catch the opposition off guard.
While this approach can lead to exciting attacking play, it comes with significant risks. A high pressing system requires a well-coordinated and mobile defense, especially in the center-back positions, where the defenders need to be quick to recover if the pressing fails. However, Manchester United’s defensive setup, particularly with Harry Maguire at the heart of the defense, has shown glaring weaknesses in this regard.
2. Maguire’s Mobility Deficiencies: The Achilles’ Heel in a High Pressing System
Harry Maguire has long been a divisive figure at Manchester United. While he has been praised for his leadership qualities and aerial ability, his lack of pace and agility has been a constant source of criticism. In a high-pressing system, these mobility deficiencies are magnified, as Maguire is often exposed when forced to cover large areas of space on the counter-attack.
2.1. The Issue of Space and Recovery Speed
In Ten Hag’s high-pressing system, the defensive line is often pushed up the pitch to compress the space between the lines and apply pressure on the opposition. This strategy leaves the defenders vulnerable to long balls or quick counters, as the space behind them becomes open for opposition attackers to exploit. Maguire, whose recovery speed is not ideal, has struggled to cover these gaps quickly enough when the press is bypassed. Opposing teams have regularly targeted this weakness, punishing United’s defense with fast, direct attacks.
2.2. Maguire’s Positioning and Lack of Flexibility
Maguire’s positioning, while solid in many cases, often lacks the flexibility required in a high-pressing system. He tends to be more rigid and less reactive to the fluid attacking movements of opposition players. When Maguire is caught out of position, it’s difficult for him to quickly adjust and recover, leaving United’s backline exposed. This has been particularly problematic when facing teams with fast, dynamic forwards who thrive on exploiting defensive gaps.
3. The Impact of the Tactical Clash: Defensive Vulnerabilities Exposed
The combination of Ten Hag’s high pressing strategy and Maguire’s mobility limitations has created a perfect storm for Manchester United’s defensive struggles. When the press doesn’t succeed in winning the ball high up the pitch, the defenders are left to deal with counter-attacks, often with Maguire in a vulnerable position.
3.1. The Space Between the Lines
As United pushes forward in a high press, the space between the midfield and defense becomes crucial. In theory, the high press should reduce this space, allowing the defenders to step up and intercept passes or challenge the ball before it reaches the forwards. However, when the press is broken or not executed properly, the space between Maguire and the midfielders increases significantly. Maguire is often forced to track opposition runners into wide areas or sprint back to his own goal, tasks that are difficult for him due to his lack of pace.
3.2. Long Balls and Over-the-Top Passes
Another area where Maguire’s mobility shortcomings come to the fore is in dealing with long balls or over-the-top passes. In a high pressing system, the defense is often positioned high up the pitch, leaving them exposed to quick direct passes. Maguire’s lack of speed makes him more vulnerable to these types of passes, as he struggles to keep up with fast attackers running in behind him. This has led to numerous occasions where United’s defense has been caught out, resulting in goals conceded from quick counters.
3.3. The Impact on the Fullbacks
The vulnerabilities in central defense also have a knock-on effect on the fullbacks. With Maguire unable to recover quickly, the fullbacks are often left to deal with opposing wingers or fullbacks in one-on-one situations. While Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot are competent defenders, they cannot cover for Maguire’s deficiencies consistently. This creates a defensive imbalance, where the flanks are left exposed and vulnerable to quick breaks.
4. How Ten Hag Can Adapt: The Need for Defensive Flexibility
While Ten Hag has shown tactical flexibility in certain matches, his adherence to a high pressing system remains a core part of his philosophy. However, given Maguire’s limitations, it may be time for Ten Hag to consider alternative approaches when facing teams that are particularly dangerous on the counter-attack.
4.1. Drop the Defensive Line Deeper
One possible adjustment is to drop the defensive line deeper when playing against teams with fast attacking players. By sitting deeper, United would reduce the amount of space available for opposition attackers to exploit. This would also reduce the reliance on Maguire’s recovery pace, allowing him to defend more comfortably in situations where he doesn’t have to cover large spaces behind him.
4.2. Rotation of Center-Backs
Another option would be to rotate Maguire with other, more mobile center-backs, such as Raphael Varane or Lisandro Martinez, who are better equipped to deal with the demands of a high press. Maguire could still play in matches where the opposition is less likely to counter-attack quickly, but for more dynamic teams, Ten Hag may need to prioritize speed and flexibility in his defensive choices.
4.3. More Compact Midfield
Finally, Ten Hag could look at tightening the midfield structure to provide more protection for the defense. This could involve playing with an additional defensive midfielder or adopting a more compact formation when under pressure. By providing more support to the backline, United could reduce the burden on Maguire and the fullbacks.
5. Conclusion: Can Ten Hag’s Philosophy Coexist with Maguire?
The clash between Erik ten Hag’s high pressing system and Harry Maguire’s mobility limitations is a significant tactical issue for Manchester United. While Ten Hag’s high press offers attacking advantages, it has exposed Maguire’s defensive weaknesses, particularly when dealing with fast counter-attacks and long balls. The key for United going forward is finding a balance between Ten Hag’s tactical principles and the realities of their personnel, especially in central defense.
Ultimately, Ten Hag may need to adjust his approach depending on the opposition, recognizing that a high press works best when the defenders have the mobility and coordination to recover quickly. If Maguire is to remain a key figure in United’s defense, more tactical flexibility will be needed to mitigate the risks associated with his lack of speed. Only time will tell if Ten Hag can find the right balance to make the high press effective while protecting his defense from the vulnerabilities that have so far defined their season.
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