Rangnick: Why this is the best formation for us
Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has given his tactical reasoning behind the side’s most recent switch to a 4-3-3 formation.
Upon arriving at Old Trafford, the 63-year-old first opted to go with the 4-2-2-2 formation in a bid for United to gain more control during games.
Having seen prior success in our wins against both Crystal Palace and Norwich City, Rangnick has since opted to tweak to a more traditional option by using the 4-3-3 system, first seen against Aston Villa at Villa Park last month.
Since then, the Reds have beaten Brentford and West Ham and dominated large spells of our last two games against Middlesborough and Burnley, despite being held 1-1 in both games respectively.
Having seen prior success in our wins against both Crystal Palace and Norwich City, Rangnick has since opted to tweak to a more traditional option by using the 4-3-3 system, first seen against Aston Villa at Villa Park last month.
Since then, the Reds have beaten Brentford and West Ham and dominated large spells of our last two games against Middlesborough and Burnley, despite being held 1-1 in both games respectively.
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Speaking to the media earlier today, Ralf offered an explanation for the change in system, beginning: “This is something we had to find out.”
“Of course Paul Pogba has now only been available as of two weeks ago and Fred can play in that number eight position too. To start with for me, it was logical to stick with the formation that we were used to and the team has played before.
“As you know the first game against Crystal Palace and against Norwich we played in a 4-2-2-2 quite like how Southampton is playing now. Once we realised that players like Bruno [Fernandes], Fred and Paul Pogba were better playing to their assets and their strengths, it suits us better when we play them in a no.8 position.”
“Of course Paul Pogba has now only been available as of two weeks ago and Fred can play in that number eight position too. To start with for me, it was logical to stick with the formation that we were used to and the team has played before.
“As you know the first game against Crystal Palace and against Norwich we played in a 4-2-2-2 quite like how Southampton is playing now. Once we realised that players like Bruno [Fernandes], Fred and Paul Pogba were better playing to their assets and their strengths, it suits us better when we play them in a no.8 position.”
“Then we did that and I think this is the right formation for us, where most of the players if not all of the players, play in their best position.”
With Pogba now impressing since his return to the side following a lengthy injury lay-off, the Frenchman has since been deployed alongside Bruno Fernandes further up the field, with Scott McTominay as the more defensive screen.
“I think both positions fit perfectly to their profile,” added Rangnick, referring to Pogba and Fernandes, the no.8s.
With Pogba now impressing since his return to the side following a lengthy injury lay-off, the Frenchman has since been deployed alongside Bruno Fernandes further up the field, with Scott McTominay as the more defensive screen.
“I think both positions fit perfectly to their profile,” added Rangnick, referring to Pogba and Fernandes, the no.8s.
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“Both Paul and Bruno in my opinion have a lot of things you need for a modern no.10, or a modern no.8 or no.6.
“Most of the top teams in Europe play with a holding no.6, with two no.8s and I think this is one of the reasons we have improved in possession when we have the ball.
“In recent weeks where we have created chances, although we didn’t score the goals we should have done, I think the way we produced and prepared those chances have got to do with the change from a 4-2-2-2 to a 4-3-3.”
“Most of the top teams in Europe play with a holding no.6, with two no.8s and I think this is one of the reasons we have improved in possession when we have the ball.
“In recent weeks where we have created chances, although we didn’t score the goals we should have done, I think the way we produced and prepared those chances have got to do with the change from a 4-2-2-2 to a 4-3-3.”
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