Try to learn some change of direction moves like the McGeady Turn or the Ronaldo chop. The defense has to obey momentum this year, so if you keep yourself under control speed-wise, and use a quick change of direction move, it will by you space and time to make the next pass. I find that the key is not getting to close to the defender and planning what where I want the ball to go next. It does help to really know how fast your guy is and what his passing and ball control abilities are. I find myself losing so much possession by trying to make a pass with Danny Welbeck that he can't make. If I'm running down the wing with him and the defender catches me, I have to hit the brakes or try to knock it on. He can't pass to save his life. It's a big crapshoot on crosses. Never know where it will come down and to who. Now if I'm playing Nani out wide, different story. He can break down the man in any way that I can think of, normally by breaking down the man with a skill move that turns the defender. (i.e. chop or turn.)
The drag back is a powerful weapon, too. It buys you space. It's pretty simple to learn. I use it to get my dribble going and find open players. Simple rollovers work well, especially when you are moving. That's really a big key,too. You have to always be doing a move that is going to break the defense. Whether backwards, or forwards. The window to decide is a lot smaller this year. You have to read where the next pass is before the D gets close. If you are seeing the D head your way, go backwards or in whatever direction gets you a chance at getting the next pass off. Also, I've found it helps to view the RT as a skill move in itself. As well as the RS knock on. Both have risk and reward. Rightly timed, and with a one on one situation,you get that last burst to actually stay out of the suction animation. Wrong timing, and with a helping defense, ball is twenty feet ahead in the helping defenders lap. Don't be afraid to pull up short on the long run that used to let you spam the LB/RB. As others have said, you tire pretty quick on the long sprints this year. And they seem to have finally gotten that a man without the ball is faster than the guy with it, among those with similar speed ratings.
I love getting down the wing with Valencia, cutting inside and hitting the through man. Also, I'll try to work inside and read if my CF has drifted wide. Then I tend to have a clumped D in the middle and have some options to my ST or CF out wide. I can try a curved shot or a pass over the D for a header. Also, I can make them react and hit my CM who is setting up outside of the 18. I think that this year, more than ever, you actually have to have a plan. One that has multiple options. And skill moves are a huge part of helping you open up your options. Simple, properly timed moves. The rest is for the arena. Just get about 4-5 moves that you can do without thinking, and lay off the speed burst, and you'll be fine. Might have dissect some of the skill moves vids I've downloaded and splice together a "Skill moves for the masses" vid. I like that title!