Three key tactical points from Bayern 4 Manchester United 3

So far under Erik ten Hag, Manchester United have struggled to get good results away to the biggest teams. That struggle continued at the Allianz Arena, as Ten Hag’s side faced tough opposition in Bayern Munich. The German champions are now unbeaten in 35 Champions League group games, winning their last 14 in a row – both competition records. It was always going to be a tall order for United, who went into the game on the back of successive 1-3 defeats in the Premier League.

There was added intrigue in this game, with Harry Kane’s first Champions League appearance for Bayern coming against English opposition. But it was Leroy Sané who scored Bayern’s opener, via a Kane assist and a mistake from Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana. It got worse for United four minutes later when Serge Gnabry doubled the advantage.

Although United’s new striker Rasmus Højlund got his first goal for the club, just after half-time, the visitors’ joy was short-lived. Moments later, Christian Eriksen was ruled to have handled in the box, and Kane made no mistake from the spot. Casemiro gave United brief hope with an 88th minute goal, only for Bayern substitute Mathys Tel to hammer home a fourth.

Casemiro added a gloss of respectability to the scoreline with virtually the last action of the match. But there was no hiding that United were second best to Bayern, who are now unbeaten in six games at home against the English club (four wins and two draws).

How the managers saw it

“We’re posing a threat in every game, creating chances in every game, but we were very reserved in the opening exchanges and lucky not to fall behind,” said Bayern’s Thomas Tuchel. “We're not 100% happy so far, but the reactions to adversity tonight were very good.”

“Disappointed because we should stay in the game,” was Ten Hag’s verdict. “If you score three goals at Bayern Munich you have to take a point.”

Below, our UEFA-licensed coaches pick out three key tactical points from the game…

United’s high press becomes a mid-block

From their 4-2-3-1 shape, Manchester United began by aggressively pressing Bayern Munich’s own 4-2-3-1 formation. Christian Eriksen jumped forward to join Bruno Fernandes in pressing the hosts’ double pivot. Højlund, meanwhile, locked one way on to the central defenders. With Casemiro tracking Jamal Musiala, Lisandro Martínez was aggressive in coming out of United’s back line, following Harry Kane into midfield. Both United wingers dealt with their full-back opponent, as the visitors’ press disrupted Bayern’s early possession (below).

Bayern then reacted by building more around the press, using the wide areas. Right-back Konrad Laimer pushed forward much earlier than left-back Alphonso Davies. This allowed Bayern’s right winger Sané to move inside. Sané targeted the spaces left by Martínez, as the United defender continued to track Kane’s dropping movements (below). This proved Bayern’s best space to attack. On the other side, Serge Gnabry held the width on Bayern’s left, but was rarely involved. It was Sané who opened the scoring for Bayern – albeit thanks to that Onana error – after moving inside.

Bayern’s opener nullified United’s positive early work. Ten Hag’s team stopped pressing high and dropped into a mid-block. Bayern could then attack higher down both sides, their wide pairings combining, with support from Musiala and Kane. Bayern’s full-backs and wingers now had better passing angles and spaces to penetrate forward. The double pivot of Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka dropped well underneath the ball for protection. By dropping, Kane and Musiala could connect and create for their wingers (below). Indeed, it was Kane who assisted Sané for the opener, and Musiala who assisted Gnabry for Bayern’s second.

United’s left-side creates chances but Bayern are clinical

Despite the scoreline, both teams created a similar number of chances in the first hour. United’s left-side caused Bayern problems, with Marcus Rashford beating Laimer in multiple 1v1 moments. His consistent attacking presence pulled Laimer further away from Bayern’s back line, creating inside-channel pockets for runs forward. Sergio Reguilón exploited this space with runs from left-back (below).

Rashford and Reguilón were heavily involved in creating United’s first goal, the former assisting Højlund after the latter’s cross had been partially cleared. As the second half progressed, Rashford remained key to his team’s attack. United either countered from deep, with Rashford higher in the press to burst forward. Or, during controlled possession, Reguilón provided inside support while Rashford isolated and attacked Laimer (below). Although United had good numbers in and around the penalty area and created chances, these rarely fell to their better finishers.

Bayern, by contrast, were clinical when it mattered, scoring their first three goals from three shots on target. Kane’s penalty crucially restored a two-goal lead four minutes after United’s first goal had put them back in the game.

The influence of Musiala

Musiala was superb between the lines. Bayern’s central box overloaded the visitors’ midfield trio, allowing Musiala to receive in clever pockets. He then dribbled and drove past United’s deeper central midfielders. This helped break United’s second-half press, forcing them back into a less effective, more reserved block. It also limited how often the visitors’ central defence could push higher and press into midfield. Sané then hit the post, after another Musiala dribble pierced through United’s midfield (below).

To limit Musiala’s impact, United placed a player-oriented marker on him, usually Casemiro. This was especially the case when Musiala was operating in the left inside channel. 

Martínez received an unnecessary caution in the 62nd minute, making him less willing to press into midfield. Kane then became Bayern’s main attacking link in the right inside channel. Kingsley Coman replaced Gnabry on 63 minutes, with Sané moved to the left. The fresh legs of Coman provided inside runs from the hosts right side, creating further room for Kane to receive (below).

Despite a late flurry of goals, the home side’s clinical nature ensured a winning start for Tuchel’s team. For Erik ten Hag and Manchester United, the search for a result away to a top team goes on, as does their concerning start to the 2023/24 season.

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