Manchester United have five top level midfielders for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to try and fit into three spots.
The Norwegian can make his selection task a lot easier by playing four midfielders instead of three.
This will not be a 1999 style quartet which used Ryan Giggs and David Beckham on the wings and Paul Scholes and Roy Keane in the middle. United simply don’t have the wingers to do so.
So instead United would utilise a diamond formation which has been toyed with by various managers in the post-Fergie era, with mixed success.
The difference is now, that United may have the best mix of midfield personnel available to make the system work, with Nemanja Matic, Fred, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay and Bruno Fernandes all competing for positions.
Plays to our strengths
When you have as many top quality midfielders as United currently, finally, do, it makes sense to try and get as many of them onto the pitch as possible.
While we maintain that a 3-4-1-2 formation may be best for United’s opening game away against Tottenham, the diamond formation, essentially a variation of a 4-4-2, could be our best route to success at home against a resolute Sheffield United team in our second match.
In the diamond, two players become automatic picks. Bruno Fernandes at the attacking tip, and Nemanja Matic as the defensive midfielder.
Having two midfielders in there with them, gives Fernandes extra support and additional runners, while also providing Matic more defensive assistance in case he gets pulled out of position.
You end up with the choice of having to select two of Fred, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba.
Pogba is the more likely pick, meaning Fred and McTominay would be battling for the last spot.
Both of the central players would find their job easier by having Fernandes and Matic in their defined positions. Strength in numbers helps the midfield battle.
We noted this week how Fred has a poor record playing alongside Paul Pogba. But these matches have come when part of a midfield three. Having Matic behind them, will enable this partnership to work.
The Mail report Pogba could play in an advanced role, interchanging with Fernandes. Having both on the pitch gives United additional options.
Last time out
Solskjaer has showed a willingness to look at a diamond formation, doing so in the recent 1-1 away draw with Everton.
This was a match United should have won, if not for an early David de Gea error, and a late missed chance from Odion Ighalo.
The difference this time is we have Paul Pogba to add to the mix, and that little bit of extra quality in midfield will help to break teams down.
How else is the team affected?
In certain away games this season United have selected five defenders. This won’t be possible with the diamond unless United go with a lone striker.
Throughout the season United have gone with three attackers, a central striker and wide forwards on either side, often Marcus Rashford and Dan James surrounding Anthony Martial.
If United went with a midfield diamond, there would be only two forward spots, most probably for Martial and Rashford, although Mason Greenwood and Odion Ighalo will be in the mix too.
Longer term, the diamond may not be a solution, if United sign Jadon Sancho. He is ideal for one of the wide positions in Solskjaer’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
On the other side, if you have a system with four midfielders, it becomes more attractive to midfield recruits like Jude Bellingham, Donny van de Beek, or Jack Grealish, who will want some game time assurances before signing.
But that is a discussion for another time. For now, the diamond may be United’s best bet in certain games, particularly home fixtures where we should be looking to overwhelm and kill off opponents.
Both Fred and Scott McTominay have been player of the season contenders, and it feels wrong to leave both out of the side, even though our best midfield three may be Matic, Pogba, and Fernandes.
Constructing a system where one of them can slot in and strengthen that trio, should be a priority for Solskjaer and his staff.
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