After tinkering time and again with Manchester United’s formation last season, Louis van Gaal settled upon the 4-3-3 and it seemed to largely pay dividends.
But the Manchester United manager has always been a coach who has attempted to use what he has in the squad to the best ability – horses for courses if you will.
However, now that the Dutchman has moulded the squad in his desired image, in terms of acquisitions, we have seen yet another formation on the pre-season tour.
For the first two games we have seen a 4-2-3-1 with two defensive midfielders and Memphis Depay at number 10.
This allows Louis to have two central strikers instead of the solitary one that the 4-3-3 allows.
The other obvious reason for the shift is that Manchester United now have a relative wealth of quality and depth in the midfield, particularly since the signings of Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
By and large we think that this is the best formation for Manchester United going forward.
And we have seen, with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, that it’s a system which works well in The Premier League.
The one issue that we have with it is the lack of truly world class talent on the wings.
With Di Maria likely to leave and Depay playing through the middle United are left with Mata and Young on the wings.
We like Mata but he’s hardly a blistering winger. And Ashley Young, although playing out of his skin, has never been our favourite player.
We would prefer to see Depay on the wing and for Manchester United to sign another pacy wide man.
But, as things stand, the team still has more balance in the 4-2-3-1 than at any time in recent history.
One more top signing on the wing and at centre back and United will be motoring.
Bob
Jul 22, 2015 at 7:48 pm
It can work but it will require proper defensive work from Depay or whoever plays in that #10 role.
Like you, I would prefer Depay on the left as he can beat his defender and can score – I can only see good things with him playing in front of Shaw.. Herrera surely has earned the right to be considered a lock in mf ..I can see him thriving in the #10 role. He is a proper mf player that has an eye for the intricate pass in the final 3rd and can score. He will naturally defend and that is required against the Arsenal’s and European passing teams ( will be interesting watching United vs Barca on Sat ) that employ 3 in mf. We could easily be outplayed in that area otherwise.