Manchester United added Alex Telles and Edinson Cavani to the squad on transfer deadline day.
Both players will hope to go into United’s strongest XI, joining fellow new signing Donny van de Beek in competing for spots.
We have taken a look at the options available to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over the upcoming weeks, in three different formations.
Qualifiers: There is debate still over who is United’s best goalkeeper, best central defensive partnership, and midfield.
For argument’s sake, we have gone with David de Gea over Dean Henderson, and back the unity of the Maguire and Lindelof partnership after Eric Bailly’s first league start alongside the club captain worked out poorly.
Likewise in wiping away poor performances this season and looking back to the run at the end of last year, we are going with Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba as United’s central midfield duo, despite the terrible performance against Tottenham.
Anthony Martial does not feature in any of these XIs due to his upcoming suspension. He could swap in for Marcus Rashford in all of them.
4-2-3-1
Benefits: This is the formation United’s players are used to, and it won’t require a big shift, ahead of a crucial run of upcoming matches.
Alex Telles will swap in for Luke Shaw, while Edinson Cavani will lead the line, ably supported by Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford on either side.
Drawbacks: This formation has not worked for United in the opening two home games, and United should be looking for ways to improve.
One of the issues is that United can only fit in three midfielders this way, with Donny van de Beek making it six players who are competing for positions.
Diamond 4-4-2
Benefits: United can bolster the midfield by adding in an extra man, and Donny van de Beek needs game time. He can help out both Pogba and Matic, who were overrun by Tottenham.
Drawbacks: There will be extra onus on the full-backs to attack. Alex Telles is perfect for this role, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka may struggle.
A front two of Edinson Cavani and Marcus Rashford may take some time to gel. It means however, that two forwards, in this case Martial and Greenwood, would be on the bench.
3-4-1-2
Benefits: A wing-back system may be the best way for United to utilise new signing Telles. This helps United cover a lack of wingers in the team.
Putting an extra centre-back in worked at times last season, and solves United’s quandry of who to pick, to an extent. Having three defenders may help the team work through a lack of confidence.
Drawbacks: This formation failed in the FA Cup semi-final last season with United looking lacklustre and the back three lacking cohesion, with Maguire injuring Martial.
Similar to the 4-4-2, United go from being able to select three forwards to only two. It is good to have strength on the bench, but United may want the team’s best goalscorers on the pitch.
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