Brendan Rodgers’ flawed Leicester City system v Manchester United

This is an explanation with analysis of how and why Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City system versus Manchester United was incorrect.

Before we begin, this article is hopefully a helpful critique rather than useless criticism. Brendan Rodgers is an excellent manager; Foxes of Leicester want nothing more than him to fully succeed by getting Leicester City back into European competition.

To do so, errors and mistakes must be noted and corrected: the Northern Irishman got his tactics and layout wrong at Manchester United. He is in no way inept, but modification is needed.

Because United are in a heavily disappointing and transitional period – in the opposite sense to the Foxes – it was vital that Rodgers’ side attacked the Red Devils from minute one. Yes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a slightly better defence than midfield; mainly due to former Fox, Harry Maguire’s, introduction. But the Northern England team are relatively lacking for their high standards – refer to Crystal Palace’s smash and grab at Old Trafford recently.

Leicester City were too defensive-minded

Instead of setting-up in a forward-thinking way, Rodgers employed the method of two defensive-midfielders. That stratagem was ill-advised, overcautious and gave far too much reverence to a club Leicester City should be fighting doggedly for a top-six position. With the Foxes’ wonderful roster, a statement of intent was necessary!

This is especially relevant as Solskjaer favours his own defensive-minded set-up with two ‘DCMs’ of his own: the very capable but raw Scott McTominay and the immobile but calming Nemanja Matic. While McTominay had a decent game, he would’ve been better pressurised by a ball-player like Dennis Praet or James Maddison.

Maddison should also never again be deployed as a left-winger; he is best suited and most productive as an advanced, free roaming No.8. Or simply as a No.10. Adding to Rodgers’ mistaken formula.

Although the Foxes’ relaxed approach with the ball and majority of possession against teams like Man United is a joy to behold for us Blue Army members who suffered for years under the guise of hit-and-hope-long-ball-incapability.

Yet for all that ownership of the ball, Leicester failed to trouble David De Gea really, at all; a killer instinct and undeviating directness were lacking in attack. Jamie Vardy is a compulsory focal point for his team-mates; they failed to exploit his pace in isolating the steady but sluggish Maguire.

Another area of attack that Rodgers evidently has to involve and evolve, is the full-backs. Ben Chilwell and Ricardo Pereira are as good a modern pairing that Leicester will ever have. Utilising them is mandatory, the duo need license to attack; see Liverpool for instruction. That would more justify the two-DCMs as cover for the left and right-back.

Putting it right

Harvey Barnes replacing the vacant seeming perennial drifter, Demarai Gray, was the first element of his errors Rodgers corrected. Barnes supplied the hunger and determination to breach United – subsequently many also opined he should have begun the match.

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• Harry Winks reveals his easy decision to join Leicester
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester City: 3 Foxes positives and negatives
• Southampton 1-4 Leicester: 3 things learned
• Predicted Leicester City starting XI vs Southampton

These assessments are not particularly major aspects to address. Though Rodgers must be flexible and honest in identifying and correcting them. The loss on Saturday can then be put in the past; at the moment the defeat isn’t the hardest thing to endure – it’s the feeling of a missed chance.

In the next round of Premier League fixtures, Leicester entertain Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium. It will be interesting to see if Rodgers uses Hamza Choudhury and Wilfred Ndidi together again, or really goes for the victory and let’s the Foxes‘ talented playmakers dictate.