Man Utd must be braver & play with more courage in tight games

A goalless draw between Man Utd and Leeds was hardly a result anybody was expecting following a 6-2 drubbing in the reverse fixture, but the stalemate at Elland Road was a summary of a drab footballing weekend.

In a week where all hell broke loose within European football for around 72 hours, the Premier League was suffering from a nasty Super League hangover. Leeds United held strong against Manchester United, but it was a flat performance from the Red Devils, truth be told.

With brownie points needing to be scored after nearly plunging the club into a plutocracy, Man Utd seemed rather content with settling for a point in what should've been a much higher stakes fixture. They were unforgivably flat, lacked quality in dangerous areas and couldn't find a way through at all.

While the criticism of Man Utd has been their inability to break down defensive sides, they have shown in recent times that they are creatively strong enough to do so when at full strength. So when team news came out and the usual double pivot of Scott McTominay and Fred had been deployed, it was a little disheartening.

Sure, this is the same double pivot that started in Man Utd's 6-2 win in December, but that was some time ago now. Things have changed - notably Leeds have realised they can't quite press everyone into oblivion, and for that they have been rewarded.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was clearly expecting a more open approach once again, hence the inclusion of Daniel James on the right flank, but Leeds were seriously well drilled. Deploying a block in the middle of the park and going man-to-man with Man Utd's players, those creative problems resurfaced swiftly, and the visitors' double pivot highlighted it most.

Aside from a painful lack of quality in the final third all round, Man Utd couldn't work any space against Marcelo Bielsa's side. McTominay has developed an attacking element to his game this season, but struggled to find avenues with Bruno Fernandes marked up and United's attackers struggling to wriggle free. Fred, meanwhile, continues to offer little in the way of attack. The pair work supremely well in breaking up opposition overloads, but when the onus is on United to solve the puzzle, they meet their match.

Combine that with James' inability to beat a man one versus one for the majority of the game and the result was that United lost the tactical battle. Clearly Solskjaer expected a more open contest, but by half time it was obvious that this wasn't to be the case. Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani were likely rested with on eye on a big week of football against Roma and Liverpool, but there's no excuse not to start them or introduce them earlier on.

Failing that, Donny van de Beek is still crying out for minutes. Patience is key, but in a game where the winning side is the one who best interprets the space and combines quick passing moves together, the Dutchman could've had a real impact if afforded the time beyond his usual cameo of just a few minutes. United have the tools right there, but Solskjaer still cannot shake off the safe approach of trying to let a game breathe.

Speaking post-match, the United boss praised James for his first half chances and confessed he didn't feel like he could take him off as a result, with the Welshman playing 76 minutes before Pogba was introduced. It's exactly this hesitancy that continues to hold Solskjaer and his side back. United must change this mode of thinking when there are now options available from the bench to change the game, especially in one that is so obviously lacking creative spark and intelligence.

In order to continue moving forward to challenge for titles and win trophies, they need to find that ability of changing a game and making the most of their creative options more often. McTominay can play next to Pogba, thus there is room to keep Fred in a more specific role and deploy him in games that truly need him most.

It's this shift in thinking that takes them from settling for second to maintaining pressure on the league leaders, despite the title feeling all but decided. A Europa League semi-final against Roma is the perfect opportunity for United to demonstrate this bravery and progression.