Sheffield United’s off the ball master-class

In game theory, Minimax is a decision rule used to minimize the worst-case potential loss. Football is a game, and applying that theory in football simply means minimizing your opponent’s threats as much as possible.

Sheffield United’s impressive start of the season is still continuing and the Blades have been on a level that the club haven’t encountered in the past few years.

Last Sunday, they entertained Manchester United at Bramall Lane. An intense 3–3 draw that proved a thrilling hour and a half for anyone watching. One point each but for the audience watching the game there was clearly a team far more deserving than the other.

Chris Wilder’s team didn’t annihilate Manchester United with the amount of chances they created, rather devouring the United players along with the ball. It was as if the famine was in town, and Manchester United plus the ball were the food.

The pressing was intense but calculated rather than haphazard. United’s front three of Anthony Martial, Daniel James and Marcus Rashford loathe space with their directness, trickery and pace. Sheffield United’s pressing gave them that space, but what’s the use of that space if they don’t have the ball ?

The pressing scheme implemented by Sheffield United denied the opponent from progressing the ball into their front three. Pressing Manchester United high up the pitch with space behind but minimizing the loss by not allowing Man Utd of progressing with the ball, Minimax.

The Blades continued with their 5–3–2 against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s 5–2–3. In the battle of midfield, that extra player made a difference.

The scheme was simple yet effective. David McGoldrick and Lys Mousset were tasked with pressing Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire respectively. As for Phil Jones it was John Lundstram’s role to keep a distance but rapidly press the defender once the ball was coming his way.

Lundstram’s role didn’t stop here. He also helped in terms of pressing Fred and Andreas Pereira who had a tough time against Sheffield United’s midfield. The extra player in midfield whether it was John Fleck, Oliver Norwood or Lundstram meant that they could shift markers between them to contain the full back near the ball and still contain Fred and Pereira.

Aiding the press was Sheffield United playing the ball up the field directly from defence. An uncommon feature of this Sheffield United side but it made sense as losing the ball high up the pitch would put the game in a state where they can implement their pressing scheme.

It was clear from early on that the rampage was on. With the ball near Manchester United’s right side, the Blades shifted accordingly. McGoldrick pressing Lindelof, Fleck between Pereira and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Norwood in a safer position in case Martial drops, and finally Lundstram ready to attack Fred.

Lindelof shifts the ball to Wan-Bissaka near the touchline, and the smothering starts. His options are minimal to progress, and adding to that Norwood is starting his run to close down Pereira.

Wan-Bissaka decides to go back, and Lindelof just boots it forward.

It’s all going accordingly as planned and Enda Stevens anticipates the ball beating James to it. Manchester United’s early form of progression was nullified

Another example in the 15th minute exhibits the pressing shape used. Maguire’s options are limited to Jones, and once he chooses the pass Lundstram is sprinting towards Jones.

Jones’ options are minimal as well as every Manchester United player is marked and there’s a train coming his way.

Jones plays Brandon Williams on the left, but the latter’s pass to Rashford is quickly intercepted by Chris Basham. Sheffield United manage to regain the ball and deny United from reaching their forwards.

The positioning of Wilder’s men kept suffocating Maguire and Lindelof. Maguire here not having a passing option had to improvise.

He tried advancing himself until he views a sensible passing option. Mousset was breathing down his neck, and the logical pass would be to Martial, a pass Maguire has the technical ability to make.

He decides otherwise though as he spots Phil Jagielka dropping with Martial. Sheffield United’s pressing scheme was complemented by the aggressiveness and cleverness of their defenders, who anticipated the movements of Martial and co.

It wasn’t just that, they also switched markers as the Manchester United players moved around. After the ball went wide, Jagielka signaled to Jack O’Connell to switch markers and take Martial as Jagielka drops back to his position against James.

Meanwhile upfront, Lindelof passes the ball into Pereira.

Pereira wanted to play it back to Lindelof but he is hurried by an advancing Fleck.

The scheme worked once again, and McGoldrick intercepted the pass to regain possession.

By the end of the first half Manchester United were helpless and from a goal kick all their options were canceled out.

David de Gea decided to go long leaving Rashford in an aerial dual versus George Baldock. Rashford missed the header.

The positioning of the Sheffield United players was so accurate that each player had two Manchester United players to press. Depending on the option Manchester United would go, the Sheffield United players would press accordingly.

Lundstram ready to go for Jones as he’s still containing Fred. Norwood alert of Martial while keeping an eye on Fred in case Lundstram shifts to Jones. Fleck near Pereira and in case the ball is played to Lindelof he will go straight to Wan-Bissaka. All the scenarios were nullified

The ball is played wide to Lindelof, and the Blades shift accordingly.

Fleck is out against Wan-Bissaka leaving marking Pereira to the dropping McGoldrick. Martial trumbles, and Wan-Bissaka’s pass goes straight to the opposition's defence.

McGoldrick dropping wasn’t only to switch markers, the forward dropped regularly to press the Manchester United’s players once the ball was beyond him.

In this example, Lindelof plays the ball into James’ path while McGoldrick is slowly returning back into midfield.

Once the ball reaches James, he is aggressively pressed by McGoldrick who manages to retain the ball.

McGoldrick’s work-rate was out of this world during the first 60 minutes. Seen below he’s closing down on Fred, but moments later he translates down the field.

He hunts down Pereira and rushes the midfielder forcing him into a wasteful pass.

McGoldrick kept dropping to support the midfield, and occasionally spear-headed a midfield diamond.

It was only one point as Oli McBurnie managed to equalize late in the game. Three would have been the cherry on top though for this outstanding off the ball performance.