EssentiallySports

What is ?Gegenpress? and How Can it Transform Manchester United?

Nov 26, 2021 | 8:30 AM EST

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Back in the day when Manchester United played fast, direct soccer, they were a treat to watch. With Paul Scholes and Roy Keane dominating the midfield, they had an incredible team under Sir Alex Ferguson. Courtesy of over 13 English Premier League titles, they stamped their authority in England and knocked ‘Liverpool off their perch.’ However, times have changed.

The appointment of Jurgen Klopp saw both teams having a change in fortune. SAF left United while Klopp transformed Liverpool into world-beaters. Trepid times continue for United amidst the recent sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

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However, he ultimately got sacked, laying the foundations for the next manager, Ralf Rangnick. Significantly, Klopp may meet his mentor soon.

Ralf Rangnick: Apostle of Gegenpress

After Klopp arrived at Liverpool, he adopted a system that proved to be the difference in winning trophies. With that system, they won the English Premier League and also the Champions League title in 2019. A misconception that soccer fans have is that Klopp developed that philosophy. To be honest, he did.

But now, United is linked to the manager who perfected that system.

Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, and Julian Nagelsmann were inspired by his philosophies. Gegenpressing involves players pressing intensely after losing the ball while not regrouping right then to maintain their shape. This is an approach that needs incredible fitness levels to perform. Rangnick perfectly explains the system.

“We like to press high, with a very intense counter-pressure. When we have the ball, we do not like any square or back passes. The goalkeeper also should not be the one with the most contact on the ball. In almost every league and every country, the goalkeeper is technically the most limited football player on the pitch and therefore we have to make sure that he has the lowest contact with the feet.”?

“It is a fast, proactive, attacking, counter-attacking, counter-pressing, exciting and entertaining [style of] football,” said Rangnick.

The success that Klopp brought to Liverpool, Tuchel is bringing to Chelsea, and Nagelsmann would bring to Bayern, is a testament to how successful the philosophy is. Yet, the question at hand is simple, can Manchester United adopt that approach?

How will Manchester United line up under Rangnick?

Despite having world-class players, the lack of tactical direction seems to hurt United in recent years. Being a top club for a long time, United’s DNA demands success. Those are the core values of the club. Hence, Rangnick would take some time to adopt this approach. With Liverpool having talented players who successfully cater to that philosophy, United’s potential would be in Rangnick’s hands.

With the back five being De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Varane, and Shaw, they have a talented bunch of defenders. Going to the midfield, Fred, Donny van de Beek, and Bruno Fernandes make a trio of talented midfielders who can make a substantial difference. Hence, the trio’s pressing ability would help United take control of the midfield.

The forward line would be important as Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford would be the perfect front three. The Off-the-ball movement and finishing abilities of the trio would be an incredible sight to watch.

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With Rangnick being handed the interim job, United would hope to bounce back to winning ways. The current scenario is difficult for most fans, but if Rangnick gets across his philosophy to the players, great days are ahead of Manchester United.

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