Analysis: A tactical look at Manchester United

Our columnist takes a look at Thursday's semi-final opponents...

AS Roma's next stop on their quest for Europa League glory sees them face off with one of the true heavyweights of world football: Manchester United.

Having already overcome Sporting Braga, Shakhtar Donetsk and Ajax in the knockout stages, this mouthwatering semi-final is unquestionably their toughest test yet.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team possessing so many weapons, especially going forward, they can wreak havoc in many ways. Roma will need to be at their very best to progress to the final.

Although the Norwegian coach has used a variety of formations including a 4-3-3, a 4-4-2 diamond and a 3-4-1-2, he typically sets his team up in a 4-2-3-1, which gives him the balance he wants.

A real force to be reckoned with offensively, Roma will need to be particularly wary of the threat of their four attacking players.

Boasting a range of options to choose from, including Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood, Daniel James, Donny van de Beek and Paul Pogba (if not playing deeper in midfield), Solskjaer's certainly spoilt for choice.

Their mechanics and methods, in combination with their individual quality, has amplified what a nightmare they can be. To start with their frequent rotations, this places doubt in the minds of defenders and disrupts their rhythm by altering their reference points.

As a result, markers are caught in a dilemma on who to mark or what action to take, with this indecision enough for United to gain an edge.

Performing these interchanges so smartly, whether it be switches between the quartet of attackers, wingers and fullbacks or central midfielders and attackers, this aspect of their play is a real asset.

Those rotations help them pin, draw and drag opponents out of shape to either open up space in behind or in front of defensive lines.

Possessing the likes of Rashford, James and Greenwood to burst in behind at speed and Fernandes and van de Beek to find space between the lines, this enhances their danger.

The fact they're so good at timing and curving their runs into depth to take advantage of defenders' blindsides, gaps between defenders and when they're ball watching or preoccupied, heightens their menace. Indeed, be it in counter attacking situations, in methodical build up or immediately after they win back following a successful high press, United are ready to take advantage of any openings.

Seeing as the Red Devils have been particularly dangerous when exploiting space behind onrushing wingbacks and fullbacks on the left through Rashford in transition, Roma will need to be awake to this.

How they've used opposite movements, where one player drops deep and another will then burst in behind, has been a good weapon too, allowing them to manipulate defences to further use their strength of attacking space in behind.

In slower, more controlled passing passages, United's forwards will often all drift infield and be positioned within close proximity to combine smartly, attack crosses, make space for one another and destabilise defences, which accentuates their threat.

A key benefit of that is that it generates acres of space for the fullbacks to maraud into to add width and depth to attacks.

On top of overlapping, the likes of Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka will smartly underlap as their nearby winger pulls wide, giving United some variety while asking extra questions of their adversaries.

When it comes to building out from the back, United vary their schemes smartly depending on the opposition by sometimes looking to drop a midfielder between the splitting centre backs or by forming a box with the two holding midfielders and centre backs.

No matter the setup, the aim is to draw out their opposition to press, create overloads and ensure the ball holder has options to then bypass their foes.

By regularly forming triangles and diamonds in possession, this has given them positional and numerical superiority both wide and centrally, plus ensure multiple passing options are available, which has helped them progress upfield.

Considering Paulo Fonseca has shown his class at devising astute pressing schemes, this should make for a fascinating battle when United are looking to play out from the back.

With Solskjaer's men very efficient at exposing their foes' weaknesses, most notably through their devastating runs in behind, you can guarantee Paulo Fonseca and his coaching staff will be doing their due diligence to ensure Roma are prepared for this colossal clash.

Meanwhile, without the ball, United will most likely implement a high press, as they've shown their intent to win the ball high to immediately use their weapons to attack unset backlines.

Displaying good structure and coordination in their pressing, they often aim to usher their opponents wide, where they can use the touchline as an extra defender to hem in their foes and limit their options. Once their opposition plays that first pass wide, the nearby forward will screen passes back to the goalkeeper and near central defender. The rest of the team will shift across aggressively too as the opposition look to support the man in possession.

To further compound issues for their enemies, they'll smartly use their cover shadows to block passing lanes back inside to nearby midfielders, thus forcing a low percentage pass or long ball, which often allows United to regain possession or stop the passage from being dangerous.

Wanting to suffocate their targets, the way the centre backs will aggressively step out when their man drops deep, how the ball far players shift across to further compress the pitch and that they persistently play a high line, adds to their success.

If the team in possession can break the press to switch the play or set runners free in behind, United can be exposed, though, which is something that Fonseca will presumably be looking to find ways to exploit.

Seeing as Man Utd have conceded 11 league goals from set pieces this season, Roma will be eager to use their aptitude in this regard to get at them, which has seen them score nine times in Serie A through dead balls.

Possessing some towering figures and crafty animations, Roma will certainly be confident of finding some joy here.

By the numbers, the fact Man Utd rank second in the Premier League for goals (64), fourth for shots (436), first for shots on target (42.4%), second for offsides (68), third for most through balls (346), equal first for key passes (139) and second for progressive runs (729) illustrates their offensive prowess.

In what looms as an enthralling clash, Roma will definitely need to be on top of their game against a United side that parlays creativity, speed and nous. But, as Roma showed against Ajax, in matches where they don't dominate possession, they can maintain their organisation and discipline to frustrate opponents.

Speaking ahead of the game, Roma's Portuguese tactician's comments on his approach for the tie made for interesting reading.

“It’s true that Manchester United are very dangerous on the counter-attack, but we must realise it’ll be really difficult if we go to Manchester and just defend. We need to keep the ball and make it difficult for them. The team must show character and not sit too deep," he said.

"I have always been focused entirely on my work. This semi-final with Manchester United is very important and I must stay entirely focused on a game that is too important for us."

Set to be full of excitement and drama, observing the tactical battle between Solskjaer and Fonseca unquestionably adds another layer of intrigue to the contest.

With the winner earning a shot at glory, both will be preparing meticulously in the coming days to fine tune their game plans ahead of a clash that's set to be decided by fine margins.