Ale Moreno has claimed that Manchester City did not play in a way that suited one of their players during their 2-1 loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup final.
Erik ten Hag’s side most certainly did, especially in trying to find speedy forwards like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho in behind City’s defence.
As a result, one of their two goals resulted from Garnacho being a dangerous outlet as they played the ball long to him.
Ale Moreno says Man City did not play to one player’s strengths against Man United
Erling Haaland is the player Ale Moreno was referring to, as he especially felt Manchester City did not cross the ball enough for him against Manchester United.
Via ESPN FC, he said: “I’ll shift the criticism from Haaland to Manchester City. 75th minute, you’re down two nothing, why are we not swinging balls into the box? Why were they not whipping balls in and having Erling Haaland, who we have seen go and get it? Go and dunk on somebody.”
“No, they don’t do that either and so, it’s a combination of both. Erling Haaland’s lack of utilising his strength and his assets in the way that he should as a player and then Manchester City, not using his strengths as a player and using him in the way that they should in the attacking half.”
Ale Moreno also criticised Erling Haaland for his latest display in a Manchester City shirt against Manchester United.
However, Moreno seems to believe the way City played did not suit the £51 million man’s strengths.
Man United’s game plan to stop the supply meant Haaland was isolated
In our view, one area where Manchester United executed their plan to a tee against Manchester City was how they clogged up the central areas of the pitch.
As a result, City’s creative duo of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden did not get enough room to get on the ball and create chances.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland suffered due to this being the case against Manchester United rather than a lack of crosses being put into the box, as Ale Moreno claimed.
City’s general level of chance creation was quite low, with their players also not making enough off-the-ball runs or taking the onus to supply Haaland.
After the game, Pep Guardiola felt the way he set his Sky Blues side up did not allow them to pick up the best positions and exploit Manchester United offensively.
Haaland had a frustrating game and perhaps Guardiola will have to go back to the drawing board to ensure his star striker is allowed to have more fruitful outings against defensive teams like the Red Devils.