Antonio Conte at Manchester United
Introduction
“You can say what you want but I’m a serial winner.”
This quote encapsulates Antonio Conte and his managerial career. Not many managers in the current game boast a CV that comes anywhere near what Conte has achieved, particularly with Juventus. Winning the Serie A 4 times (2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2020/21) and the Premier League (2016/17) is just a highlight of the major pieces of silverware the Italian has won.
Manchester United is now in a situation where they need a manager who is an expert at winning. The squad has the capabilities and under the current management, this doesn’t seem likely. Bringing in a manager like Conte will give the squad that edge that is needed when it comes to winning.
There’s a common misconception that Antonio Conte is just a defensive manager. Take the 2013/14 season with Juventus. Conte’s side obviously were the best defensively, conceding only 23 goals in 38 games in Serie A (an average of 0.61 goals conceded per game). But from an offensive viewpoint, they were the top scorers, scoring 80 goals (an average of 2.11 goals per game).
Conte’s title winning first season with Chelsea was another example of this misconception being blown away. Chelsea averaged 2.24 goals per game (scoring 85 goals in 38 games) and conceded 0.87 goals per game (only 33 goals conceded). Same story with his most recent season with Inter Milan, where he won the Serie A with the club, having last won it 10 years ago. 89 goals scored (2.34 goals scored per game) and 35 goals conceded (0.92 goals conceded per game).
Tactically, Conte is known for his utilisation of the 3–4–3 or 3–5–2 systems, the latter being the system that has brought him the most success. Notably in the 3–5–2 system, he uses two wingbacks instead of wingers, with two out-and-out strikers backed by an attacking box-to-box midfielder in a three-man midfield, in front of a three-man defensive line.
Contrary to popular belief, Conte’s teams are capable of playing a short passing possession game, but they are mainly known for their direct style of attacking play and ability to score on the counter attack. Conte has since rejected claims that his teams prefer to sit back and play on the counter attack.
His teams have been praised for their defensive solidity as well as their use of high and aggressive pressing to put pressure on their opponents and win back the ball quickly. Conte’s teams have also been praised for their pace, sharpness and tenacity.
Due to his intense focus on tactics, winning mentality, and the ability to foster a great team spirit among his players, he also demonstrated a remarkable tactical versatility and meticulousness as a coach, adopting several different formations in an attempt to find the most successful strategy.
Leonardo Bonucci praised Conte’s role in motivating the players and creating a unified team atmosphere at Euro 2016, commenting that the players have nicknamed him “The Godfather” because of the way he made them want to listen to him. Likewise, Andrea Pirlo has acknowledged Conte’s man-management and motivational skills in his autobiography, in which he recalls how Conte’s introductory remarks left a lasting impression on him.
“He needed only one speech, with many simple words, to conquer both me and Juventus. He had fire running through his veins and he moved like a viper. ‘This squad, dear boys, is coming off two consecutive seventh-place finishes. It’s crazy. It’s shocking. I am not here for this, so it’s time to stop being so crap.’… When Conte speaks, his words assault you. They crash through the doors of your mind. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve said: ‘Hell, Conte said something really spot-on again today.”
Sir Alex Ferguson has also spoken very highly of Antonio Conte. When speaking to Sky Sports in 2017 about Conte and his Chelsea side he said, “you see his energy on the pitch. There’s a true saying that the team mirrors the manager, and that’s what they’ve done with him.”
At Manchester United
With Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s future in the balance at Manchester United, Antonio Conte would be an option to consider. His ability to achieve success immediately will be a facet many United fans would be excited about.
I feel that tactically, Conte will use the 3–5–2 system. This is because we have a strong midfield and there are multiple options for Conte going forward.
Now if he was to use that system, he would want to transfer in a few players. For me, he’ll target 3 areas:
- LCB
- RB
- CDM
When we’re looking at Conte’s three at the back system, two players will be guaranteed starters in Harry Maguire and Raphaël Varane. Maguire will act as that Libero, who will play in the middle of the back three while Varane will play on the right of the back three, due to his pace and familiarity with that area of the pitch.
Finding someone to go on the left of the back 3, I feel Conte will opt for someone who has a bit of speed, left footed and powerful. Alessandro Bastoni could be a player Conte goes out for, especially considering that Bastoni used to play under Conte when he was at Inter Milan.
Bastoni is a young centre back who’s got tremendous potential ahead of him. Currently, he plays on the left of a back three for Inter Milan under Simone Inzaghi and played that same position under Conte. Bastoni’s strengths are mainly his ability in possession as he boasts a passing completion of 88.7%.
The Italian is not afraid to advance with the ball, as he makes 6.29 progressive carries per 90 minutes. This puts him in the 97% percentile of centre backs across Europe’s top 5 leagues.
His contract expires in 2024 but he may be an expensive purchase, with Transfermarkt valuing him at roughly £50 million but it’s likely Inter would bump that price up into the high 70’s. However, if I was United I would look to purchase him as his potential and age are just too good of qualities to ignore.
Right wing back is another area that Conte will look to strengthen. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is good defensively but going forward, he’s not good enough. Kieran Trippier is someone who I feel Antonio Conte will look to go for. United were linked with a move for him in the 2021 transfer window however a deal didn’t eventuate due to a disagreement with Atletico Madrid over the fee.
The 29 year old would be the perfect signing at right wing back, considering his versatility but more importantly his ability in both facets of the game. Offensively and defensively, Trippier has more to offer than Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Statistically, Trippier is one of the best offensive right backs in Europe at the moment. He makes 2.59 shot-creating actions per game (putting him in the 88% percentile of right backs in the top five leagues in Europe). He also averages 0.17 assists per 90 minutes as well, putting him in the 86% percentile.
In terms of passes attempted, Trippier excels as he makes 67.75 passes per game (putting him in the 89% percentile) and in terms of progressive passes, he averages 8.04 passes per game, which puts him in the 99% percentile.
Defensively, he maybe isn’t as strong as Wan-Bissaka however the fact that United would be defending in a back 5, would provide some compensation. Trippier is at his best defensively in aerial duels won, where he wins 2.03 per game, putting him in the 89% percentile.
Due to the Englishman’s contract expiring in 2023, it would make a large amount of sense for United to go in for him. Transfermarkt also values him at just under £17 million, so this deal would be more than achievable.
The final position that would be looked at by Antonio Conte would be CDM. There’s no surprise that Conte will be going into the market for a player who can fulfill this position as currently at United there are no outstanding candidates. Now Conte could go for Marcelo Brozović, as the Croatian is coming into the last year of his contract and we could get him for free, as well as Conte having a good relationship with the player.
But I feel Leandro Paredes from PSG would be a more suitable option. Paredes has been very impressive under Mauricio Pochettino at the French capital playing in a double pivot usually with Marco Veratti. Paredes can play as a sole CDM which would help Conte massively and there are some similarities between him and Brozović in terms of playing style.
Both Brozović and Paredes complete a high percentage of their passes, with the Croatian completing 88% of his passes and the Argentinian completing 91.1%. In terms of progressive passes and progressive carries, both are strong in this department, as Brozović makes 6.84 progressive passes per 90 minutes (putting him in the 93% percentile) and 5.09 progressive carries (putting him in the 73% percentile).
Like Brozović, Paredes is much more suited to progressive passes than carries, as he makes 6.64 progressive passes per 90 minutes (92% percentile) but 4.86 carries (69% percentile). But Paredes’ progressive passes are much more impressive considering how many passes he makes per game. The Argentinian attempts 86.61 passes per game, putting him in the 98% percentile of CDMs. As for Brozović, he attempts 78.29 passes per 90 minutes, putting him in the 94% percentile.
Paredes or Brozović would both be impressive signings, regardless of who’s signed. If Conte was to go for Paredes, then a deal could be struck as his contract runs until 2023 and Transfermarkt is valuing him at just over £18 million.
Starting Lineup
So as mentioned before, it is likely that Conte would line Manchester United up in a 3–5–2 system and it would have similar effects to his Juventus side of the early 2010’s.
In goal, David de Gea. His experience and ability would be more likely to sway Conte in picking him over Dean Henderson.
The back three would consist of Alessandro Bastoni, Harry Maguire and Raphaël Varane. All three are strong centre backs, defensively solid and very good on the ball.
In the midfield, it would be both Alex Telles and Kieran Trippier playing as the wingbacks. Both are offensively strong and can provide width, and they can play balls directly into the two strikers.
Leandro Paredes, Paul Pogba and maybe controversially Donny van de Beek will be the midfield three. Paredes will act as the anchor, distributing play from deep and almost playing in that Andrea Pirlo role. Pogba will be given the license to go forward and create play while van de Beek will operate as a box to box midfielder, utilising his energy and tight interplay to link up with the wingback and striker.
Now, no Bruno Fernandes. I like Fernandes but I don’t think Conte does. Fernandes is much better as a 10 than as a number 8, where he has freedom to roam and create play. As Conte doesn’t play with a 10 in this system, there would be no room for Fernandes.
The two strikers up front will be similar to the partnership that Conte had with Juventus in Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente. Marcus Rashford will play the Tevez role, due to the speed and directness of his play while Cristiano Ronaldo will play the Llorente role of being that target man and presence in the box.
Lineup on paper
Conclusion
Personally, Conte is not one of my top choices for the United job as stylistically he doesn’t suit our current squad and his success is usually limited to three years. However, he would be an interesting choice.
I wouldn’t be totally opposed to him managing the club, but this side above should be able to compete in both the Premier League and Champions League.
