Sports12 September, 20262 min read
Enzo Maresca Says Manchester United Will Go Long in Derby at Old Trafford
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United go long more than any other Premier League team. Old Trafford hosts the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Derby at Old Trafford
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca expects Manchester United to take a very direct approach in the derby on Sunday at Old Trafford, saying Michael Carrick’s side go long more than any other Premier League team. Maresca said, “They are the team in the Premier League at the moment who plays the most balls in behind,” and added that United are “quite clear that they’re very dangerous and they don’t need many passes.” The Metro report also said Maresca is looking to keep up his 100 per cent record in the Premier League since taking charge at City, having won his first three top flight games.
For United, the Metro tabloid noted they had lost at Hull City on the opening day and then drew 2-2 with Everton last time out. Metro also raised selection questions at left-back, with Luke Shaw an injury doubt and Patrick Dorgu having played on the left of defence against Sabah in the Champions League on Thursday.
Carrick’s freedom vs Maresca’s structure
Ahead of the Manchester derby, the BBC framed the matchup as “Fixed v fluid,” describing City’s rigid structure under Enzo Maresca and United’s more fluid approach under Michael Carrick. The BBC quoted Carrick on trusting players, saying, “I [was] really conscious of not giving him an awful lot [of instructions],” and adding, “A couple of little pointers, a few positional things, but to trust in what he is.” The BBC said City’s positional play is built around players precisely positioned, while United’s framework includes guidelines but allows players the freedom to roam.
In the same BBC account, it described how United keep two centre-backs in fixed positions and how the holding midfielder can drop to form a back three. The BBC also said United’s full-backs begin in natural left and right full-back positions in build-up play and may join the attacking line higher up the pitch.
US Open final: Zverev vs Shelton
In tennis, the Daily Star set up the US Open final as Zverev vs Shelton, describing two different stories behind Sunday’s match. The Daily Star said Shelton is entering his first US Open final as a 23-year-old American, and it reported that he will play in front of a partisan home crowd of around 24,000 at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shelton told the paper, “I'm in positions I've never been in before,” and it added that he has lost all five of his previous meetings with Zverev.
“Now he has a chance to complete a remarkable fortnight in front of a partisan home crowd of around 24,000 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.”
For Zverev, the Daily Star described his US Open final as an attempt to establish that he belongs among Grand Slam winners after reaching a third straight Grand Slam final following a French Open win earlier this year. The Daily Star also said Shelton’s breakthrough season included winning four titles across different surfaces and beating Alcaraz in a marathon quarter-final in New York.