Line-ups Debate: Start with a back three or four?
There is always so much to debate and discuss around the Manchester United line-up, and that is certainly the case as Ralf Rangnick’s men prepare to host Aston Villa in the Emirates FA Cup.
Within our exclusive pre-match interview, Rangnick speaks in detail about tactical flexibility and how it is possible for United to play with different formations in one game, as we saw during the last match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, when he switched from a back four to three.
“I think with our team, we have those two options,” says Ralf. “In order to play with a back three, we need to have most of our centre-backs available, I think even under Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], the team did it, for example in games like Tottenham, Atalanta away, or against Manchester City, in the derby.
“I think we can play in the back three, this could be an option for us, but, as I said, it also depends on the players available, on the current shape and form of the players and also, to a certain extent, to the team against which we are playing.”
So, what we will see against Aston Villa? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below, before reading the best guesses of two club reporters...
I PREDICT A BACK THREE
Ralf's 4-2-2-2 has plenty of things to recommend it. You can play two midfielders to screen the defence, and smuggle in an extra no.10, plus a partner for Cristiano Ronaldo up front. But the system does ask loads from the full-backs, who have to provide bundles of width in attack, while still ticking off the defensive dog work.
But now that Phil Jones and Raphael Varane are fit again, with Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof also close to returning, could playing three at the back resolve this?
It would give our full-backs some back-up, and you could even play both Luke Shaw and Alex Telles, by slotting the former in alongside the centre-halves. I think it’s a really useful option for Rangnick and, as he mentioned in our interview, it’s one that worked well on numerous occasions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
After a defeat last time out, I’d be surprised if we don’t see a substantial change in approach against Villa. And I’m betting three at the back could well be it.
– Joe Ganley
I PREDICT A BACK FOUR
It was fascinating to read Rangnick’s insightful comments about a back three in our matchday Q&A and I think it’s a system we could see more of going forward, but not this evening against Aston Villa. Or at least not from the start.
The German admits himself that it “depends on the players available” and, while our centre-back options are hopefully bolstered, I think it’s important to remember that Eric Bailly is away on international duty, Phil Jones is still working his back to full fitness, Victor Lindelof recently had COVID-19 and Harry Maguire missed our last game through injury. It's pure guesswork, but I suspect we’ll see Raphael Varane start alongside a single centre-back partner and two buccaneering full-backs.
Whether I’m right or wrong remains to be seen – and it’s probably the latter – but I can’t wait for that line-ups announcement at 18:55 GMT.
- Mark Froggatt
PLAY UNITED PREDICTIONS
Don't forget to pick your starting XI, formation, first scorer, result and Man of the Match via the United App. The fan who scores the most points wins a signed shirt, wherever you are in the world.
Here's what fans are backing at the time of writing...
First Scorer
40% = Cristiano Ronaldo
14% = Mason Greenwood
12% = Bruno Fernandes
Correct Score
34% = United 2 Aston Villa 1
21% = United 2 Aston Villa 0
14% = United 3 Aston Villa 0
Man of the Match
22% = Cristiano Ronaldo
21% = David De Gea
18% = Bruno Fernandes