Eva Olid's Man Utd struggle with possession as new build-up system beds in
Man Utd's teething troubles under Eva Olid
Eva Olid was appointed at Manchester United with a reputation for high-possession attacking football built during her impressive spell at Hearts. In her opening weeks in the Women's Super League the style has yet to translate, with United taking just one point from three league games despite a 10-1 League Cup win at Sheffield United on Wednesday that hinted at progress.
On WSL opening night United lost 2-1 to London City Lionesses before a 5-0 defeat by Chelsea. They responded with a 1-1 draw against Arsenal, a performance far more pragmatic than many expected from the new boss.
From Skinner structure to Olid overload
Under Olid, United look to play out from the back. Build-up normally starts from a 4-2 or 3-2 base with central midfielders forming a narrow two. The winger on the same side as the ball stays high and wide while the far-side winger drops deeper alongside the number 10, creating a box in midfield.
Skinner's United also used a 4-2 or 3-2 base but with different principles. His formation was generally a more stretched and symmetrical 3-2-2-3 with fixed positions. Number 10s were asked to stay high in pockets to receive the ball or drag opponents away, while wingers provided width and the distance between players was greater.
Olid has moved away from that. Central players are given greater licence to come towards the ball to create overloads in midfield. If Park switches from the flank into central midfield, the opposition full-back is forced into a decision: follow and leave space, or stay and concede a numerical advantage.
That reflects where United now focus their play. Against zonal defences, crowding central areas gives United more numbers in the middle. If defences compensate by narrowing, space appears on the outside for unmarked players. By comparison, Skinner funnelled possession towards the flanks with triangles involving full-back, midfielder and winger.
Trade-offs and why it hasn't clicked yet
Olid's more fluid central combinations are riskier. Small-space combinations through the centre make United more susceptible to counter-attacks, something evident already in her tenure.
After three league games United have averaged 37% possession. Olid identified two problems after the Arsenal game: "We lose simple passes and we cannot recognise the free player."
Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce has struggled with the ball at her feet, lacking some qualities the system demands. Chelsea's man-to-man pressure exposed that and prevented United from establishing prolonged possession. She is not the only one adjusting to the more intricate approach.
Olid's tactics are designed to create numerical advantages to put players in space but United have not always found them even when movement has been good. Her style requires players to be better technically and quicker cognitively, receiving under pressure and identifying the spare player.
Hinata Miyazawa and Julia Zigiotti-Olme have looked the best suited so far, but developing collective understanding and removing hesitation will take time. For Chelsea's fourth goal against United, the trade-offs were clear as possession was lost trying to play through the middle from deep and United were punished in transition.
Tactical tweaks in game
Olid has shown willingness to adapt. There is evidence of Tullis-Joyce going long more often and against Arsenal, recalled Awujo provided a more capable target for those passes than Ella Toone, allowing striker Elisabeth Terland to stay higher rather than constantly dropping deep to engage in aerial duels or hold-up play.
Defensively Olid said: "We are a team who need to press high." Against Chelsea that press was repeatedly exposed. With Monica Jusu Bah starting on the left and Terland leading the press, Jusu Bah moved inside to engage Chelsea midfielder Keira Walsh, allowing Blues right-back Ellie Carpenter freedom to advance, while on the other side Wieke Kaptein pinned back United left-back Andrea Medina.
In the second half Olid adjusted. Terland became more passive alongside Toone, screening Chelsea's central midfielders, which allowed Jusu Bah to stay wider and prevent easy access to Carpenter. In the big win against Sheffield United on Wednesday, Manchester United's third and fourth goals came from an intense and co-ordinated press that forced turnovers close to the opposition goal.
Promise despite one point from nine
Implementing a new style takes time, particularly when players are asked to use space and accept risk in unfamiliar ways. Olid does not appear to be falling into the trap of becoming too attached to the final version of her model.
"The focus [against Arsenal] was the defensive shape," she said. "It's trying to get them more confidence." Attacking football in this more fluid manner may be the final goal but Olid appears willing to manage the transition pragmatically while the squad adapts.