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No Question About That · Aug 21, 2026

The Tactics Show: Season Preview

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Ed Barker · No Question About That

#1032 | Ed and Dharnish preview the season with a focus on how United’s tactics are evolving under Michael Carrick. The pattern in pre-season has been more possession, more central possession, and an emphasis on third-man runs. 

Where Carlos Baleba fits is still unclear: he's more carrier than passer, so the assumption is someone else, Kobbie Mainoo or Youri Tielemans, drops in to start moves while Baleba operates further forward. 

The bigger worry is pressing. Pushing fullbacks and forwards higher creates gaps between midfield and defence, and neither Bruno Fernandes nor Marcus Rashford presses well enough to close them, though Baleba's mobility should help cover the space. 

Up front, the squad is deep enough that losing Benjamin Sesko to injury or rotation shouldn't be a big problem, with Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and a returning Rashford all able to play through the middle.

0:00 Introduction and season preview
 1:26 What's on the show today
 2:20 More possession and central progression
 4:12 Third man runs 
5:52 Midfield pairings and where Baleba fits 
10:01 Fullbacks in the build-up
 13:40 Left-back transfer targets
 15:06 The pressing question
 21:17 Defensive transitions 
23:45 The attack and Rashford's return
 28:54 Transfer rumours 
29:10 Wrap-up and season hopes

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Read the original on nqatpod.substack.com

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