Sander Berge: The Potential Solution to Manchester United’s Midfield Mystery
As reported by Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, Manchester United have made contact with the representatives of Sander Berge. The 6’5 Norwegian midfielder currently plays for Burnley and is believed to be the Manuel Ugarte alternative. Despite agreeing to personal terms, it is thought that the Red Devils were priced out of a deal for the Uruguayan and have now turned their attention to Sander Berge.
This is not the first time Manchester United have been linked to Berge, with MEN reporting that he even arrived at Carrington for a medical in January 2020. However, the rumours have never been so concrete, so why are United interested in the versatile midfielder?
Does Sander Berge Suit Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United?
Last season, United were constantly bypassed in midfield due to the personnel and the Dutchman’s tactics. A new defensive midfielder is seen as the glue that could hold the midfield together, partnering Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes. Mainoo and Fernandes excel in many areas but both play their best football while in possession and many believe an out-of-possession specialist is required to create balance in the team. This means they have to cover ground quickly, be an aggressive ball winner, and be dominant in the air, all while being comfortable on the ball.
Statistics show that Sander Berge’s strengths are in these areas; among midfielders, he is most impressive in the following metrics:
- Aerials won – 1.92 per 90 – 91st percentile
- Shots blocked – 0.6 per 90 – 95th percentile
- Dribblers tackled – 58.6% success rate – 87th percentile
- Touches in defensive third – 3.93 per 90 – 93rd percentile
- Pass completion – 88.1% success rate – 83rd percentile
Berge’s stats show that he is very impressive without the ball and competent in possession so ten Hag will not have to adapt his in-possession approach to his out-of-possession tactics. But how does he compare to Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte?
Casemiro ranks highest in almost every metric but it is important to note that Berge played for Burnley, who finished 19th with just 24 points in the Premier League, while Ugarte played for Ligue 1 winners PSG and Casemiro played for FA Cup-winning Manchester United. It is clear that carrying is a strength of Berge and another asset that sets him apart from other potential targets. However, he appears to lack progression and that is a crucial part of ten Hag’s tactics, as can be seen by Casemiro’s metrics.
How Good is Sander Berge?
One thing that can’t be measured by statistics is scanning, which is looking around and taking note of where players are in relation to themselves. Out of possession, this is used to pick up runners and track players off the ball, but in possession, it is used so you know if you have time to turn or have to play the pass the first time.
Berge demonstrates this perfectly as his goalkeeper receives the ball; he starts to drop deeper so he can receive the ball but checks his shoulder as he does this. As nobody is there, he continues to drop and scream for the ball, meaning he receives it quickly and can turn before any pressure arrives.
That results in the following screenshot: he has carried the ball forward into his position in the double pivot with Josh Cullen (number 24). Crucially, he has also drawn Connor Gallagher (the Chelsea 23) to him, therefore leaving Cullen open and able to receive the ball without any immediate pressure. This is a very simple thing but something that hasn’t been seen in United’s midfield since the departure of Nemanja Matic.
Berge is capable on the ball while under pressure from several opponents in addition to impressing when not under pressure. In the screenshot below, the Norwegian is on the ball with four Chelsea players blocking almost every passing lane available, apart from the long ball to the opposite winger. Not only does Berge find this pass, but he plays a through ball that takes out the Chelsea defence and allows him to get a shot off. This is another skill that would translate well to Manchester United, as they have shown they aren’t afraid to play directly; this is clear to see in Rasmus Hojlund’s goal in the pre-season against Arsenal.
This screenshot shows another element of Berge’s game that would make him an ideal candidate to join Manchester United this summer: his tracking ability. The Burnley centre-back steps up out of the back line and leaves a gap for Alex Scott to run into, and Berge has to track him all the way or it is almost a certain goal.
You can see how far Berge tracks his man and he eventually makes the tackle, using his frame to out-muscle his opponent. The commitment to follow his man all the way shows his character and fitness—more qualities that are needed at Manchester United if they want to compete at the highest level. The tackle is clean and doesn’t give the referee a decision to make regarding a potential penalty.
He has all the right characteristics to be a success at Manchester United but all too often, that hasn’t been enough. Alexis Sánchez joined as the best winger in the Premier League and didn’t succeed; Ángel Di María joined from Real Madrid and didn’t succeed; even Casemiro joined from Real Madrid after a Champions League win and didn’t succeed. Character is crucial and Sander Berge appears to have that mentality and is happy to help the team in any way he can.
“I’ve got to say I didn’t see at times the criticism levelled at him by certain supporters. He came in a fabulous period for us, we tried to get him at the start of the season and managed to get him in [January]. He had a big end of the season, played 6, played 8, played as two 6s. I know there was talk that they made him in to an 8, they didn’t really make him in to an 8, he was an all round really good midfield player because I remember him scoring against Tottenham as a high 8. A good player.”
- Chris Wilder on Sander Berge
Sander Berge is the right profile for Manchester United but is he ready to start week in and week out for the Red Devils?
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