Even before his goals, one of the things that has stood out in Benjamin Sesko’s first season at Manchester United is his movement in and around the opposition penalty area. Piece with @mjcritchley.bsky.social + @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Benjamin Sesko’s obsession with self-improvement is beginning to pay off • becoming more ‘explosive’ • NFL-style training drills • VR headsets • testing his reflexes at home • No 9 shirt decision w/ @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social + @ahmed-walid.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Even before his goals, one of the things that has stood out in Benjamin Sesko’s first season at Manchester United is his movement in and around the opposition penalty area. Piece with @mjcritchley.bsky.social + @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Niche content: Corinthians Feminino put a player on either side of the box at penalties, rather than having everyone behind the box. I used Pythagoras’ theorem for the first time since my GCSEs and watched 50 saved penalties to see if others should do it too. ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

The Premier League landscape has changed. The rise in physicality, duels and man-marking has meant that there are spaces to attack on the transition once you win the ball in midfield. Arsenal or Man City will be champions with more than just control. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

The Premier League landscape has changed. The rise in physicality, duels and man-marking has meant that there are spaces to attack on the transition once you win the ball in midfield. Arsenal or Man City will be champions with more than just control. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

Despite having some problems in terms of control/finishing off games, and inconsistencies in the build-up and high press phases, Manchester City's attack in the final third has been impressive this season. Piece on how they adapted w/o Doku and Savinho. www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Despite having some problems in terms of control/finishing off games, and inconsistencies in the build-up and high press phases, Manchester City's attack in the final third has been impressive this season. Piece on how they adapted w/o Doku and Savinho. www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

A column on Manchester United and Kobbie Mainoo. www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

A column on Manchester United and Kobbie Mainoo. www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Variance, new ball and quality of individuals are some of the reasons behind the rise in long-range goals in the PL. Teams and players are also creating better shooting situations from outside the box. Is this affecting the type of long-range goals? 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Variance, new ball and quality of individuals are some of the reasons behind the rise in long-range goals in the PL. Teams and players are also creating better shooting situations from outside the box. Is this affecting the type of long-range goals? 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

High blocks, low blocks, everywhere you look...blocks. Using data from SkillCorner, I break down how each side likes to set up out of possession, and what it means for their playing style. @theathleticfc.bsky.social Piece here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Michael Carrick and his coaching staff have added to Manchester United’s strong base on attacking set pieces. Bryan Mbeumo’s goal against Spurs is an example of how they are building on one of the team’s strengths from corners this season. #MUFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Michael Carrick and his coaching staff have added to Manchester United’s strong base on attacking set pieces. Bryan Mbeumo’s goal against Spurs is an example of how they are building on one of the team’s strengths from corners this season. #MUFC www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

How Sunderland's wide combinations have played a key role upon their return to the Premier League. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

How Sunderland's wide combinations have played a key role upon their return to the Premier League. www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Teams are taking fewer shots from outside the box than ever in the Premier League, yet long-range goals are at their highest since 2013–14. Explored why this is happening: www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Michael Carrick was often considered 'boring' in his playing career. But there are lots of benefits to being considered boring, and that might work well in his managerial career too. www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

You’d never know this from the way the team is talked about but Arsenal rank 2nd in goals scored in the Premier League and just finished the League Phase of the Champions League with the most goals scored.

How Fulham's runs in behind are helping their fight for a European spot. www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

NEW POD 🚨 Arsenal, open play goals and Premier League vs Champions League styles. @oilysailor.bsky.social @ahmed-walid.bsky.social @zonal-marking.bsky.social & @markcarey93.bsky.social pod.fo/e/383752

How Fulham's runs in behind are helping their fight for a European spot. www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

The incidence of injuries increases when a new manager joins the club, but why might this be? Factors as simple as training pitches, training schedules, and tactical role changes can contribute to injury risk. Link to the article for @theathleticfc.bsky.social here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

How Manchester United's front line rotated to attack the space behind City's defence. www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

How Manchester United's front line rotated to attack the space behind City's defence. www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

🚨 Manchester United reach agreement in principle with Michael Carrick + coaching staff to take over until end of season. Appointments subject to finalising contract details & announcement. In position for #MUFC ahead of #MCFC visit on Sat 🚨 @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Analysis of Arsenal's style in 2025-26. www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

How Liverpool limited Arsenal's attack. Analysis of the 0-0 draw at the Emirates. www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...

How Liverpool limited Arsenal's attack. Analysis of the 0-0 draw at the Emirates. www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...

Raul Jimenez isn't scoring many goals, but his link-up play is vital to Fulham's attack. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Raul Jimenez isn't scoring many goals, but his link-up play is vital to Fulham's attack. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Manchester City's inconsistent build-up and high press this season prevented them from maintaining control after Chelsea's half-time tweaks on Sunday. That usually doesn't matter because City's clinical edge puts them in a big enough lead -- not in that match, tho. www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Manchester City's inconsistent build-up and high press this season prevented them from maintaining control after Chelsea's half-time tweaks on Sunday. That usually doesn't matter because City's clinical edge puts them in a big enough lead -- not in that match, tho. www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

This is the inside story of Enzo Maresca’s exit from Stamford Bridge: 🔹 Recommendations around player minutes were big part of why he wanted to leave 🔹 Wanted new defender in summer 🔹 Concerns over talks with Manchester City ✍️ @sjohnsonsport.bsky.social and more 🔗 bit.ly/4aHVi51

Tough to prove this with numbers, but I'm convinced this season's Premier League ball moves more dramatically than the old Nike ball. In particular it seems to dip more than I (and more significantly, goalkeepers) anticipate. www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

Manchester United look like a squad in need of reinforcements - and many fans are demanding a busy transfer window. But they may be disappointed. @andymitten.bsky.social explains why ⤵️ 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/693...

Manchester United's defensive organisation guided them to the victory against Newcastle, but they suffered in the second half to clinch the three points. Analysis of Manchester United's defensive organisation in the first half, and why they conceded chances later on. www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

There was a focus on Manchester United's formation in their game against Newcastle United — but keeping control of games when leading remains the most important factor. @ahmed-walid.bsky.social 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

Manchester United's defensive organisation guided them to the victory against Newcastle, but they suffered in the second half to clinch the three points. Analysis of Manchester United's defensive organisation in the first half, and why they conceded chances later on. www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...

How Erling Haaland is taking advantage of a key Man City move. www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

How Erling Haaland is taking advantage of a key Man City move. www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

How Chelsea's improved movements between the lines and Enzo Maresca's tweak were key to the comeback against Newcastle United. www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

How Chelsea's improved movements between the lines and Enzo Maresca's tweak were key to the comeback against Newcastle United. www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

How Bukayo Saka creates crossing angles for himself. www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

How Bukayo Saka creates crossing angles for himself. www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Manchester United need to learn how to control matches when ahead. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Manchester United need to learn how to control matches when ahead. 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Used Liverpool’s tendency to “win” games on xG as a topical Trojan horse to debunk the concept of winning on xG, and why xPoints tables often produce league standings that are clearly nonsense www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

Manchester City won at the Bernabeu, but this wasn't their best performance. Analysis of City's 2-1 victory against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening. www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...