Manchester United have settled on a 4-3-3 formation over the last few matches. The system has been used away at Aston Villa, Brentford, West Ham and Middlesbrough
Rangnick has been happy with the performances, as while not perfect, United have begun to develop and patterns of play have clicked into place.
So it could be assumed quite logically that United will stick with 4-3-3 tonight away at Burnley, and that is how our predicted XI shapes up.
But don’t rule out a shift either. Rangnick has shown a willingness to adapt, changing formations during games several times. This could be a night when 4-4-2 is more productive.
4-4-2 worked well last time
United beat Burnley at the end of December with a 3-1 win in which Rangnick’s side controlled the match. Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic started in midfield and dominated.
McTominay in particular was effective, scoring once, hitting the woodwork another, and also forcing a number of saves.
Jadon Sancho worked well as a winger in the system, scoring a goal which was eventually ruled an own goal, and Rangnick will be tempted to use this system again, for the simple reason that he knows United have the beating of Burnley if they play this way.
United could even switch out Matic for Paul Pogba, or use this game to play the Serbian if the returning Frenchman is not ready for a second start in five days.
Why United played 4-4-2
One aspect which should be noted, was that Rangnick was pushed into an experiment, due to a suspension for Bruno Fernandes.
Rather than start out of favour Jesse Lingard or Donny van de Beek, Rangnick elected to cut out the role, expand McTominay’s license to drive forward, and look for creativity on the wings.
Fernandes is eligible tonight, and Rangnick will be reluctant to drop him. Yet with the midfielder playing through a back injury against Boro, and this game coming as the second of just seven matches this month, a rest may not be the worst decision.
Go for goals and help Ronaldo out
The one obvious advantage to playing a 4-4-2 is being able to utilise both Edinson Cavani and Cristiano Ronaldo up front.
Having a striker up alongside him will be a welcome change of pace for Ronaldo, and Cavani’s movement will create opportunities for him.
There is a case to bring Cavani in ahead of Ronaldo tonight if United only go with one striker. Playing both of them saves the manager having to make the decision.
With Cavani and Ronaldo in the side, United should have too much firepower for Burnley. United went for goals against them early last time and it paid off. It won’t be a surprise to see Rangnick take the same approach tonight.
- Who is Nicolò Tresoldi? The Italy-born Germany youth striker linked with Man Utd
- Youri Tielemans’ past injuries and age cannot overshadow immediate solution solved in Man Utd’s post-Casemiro era
- I was desperate for Man United to sign Eduardo Camavinga, but his latest Real Madrid decision is a worry
- Joshua Zirkzee’s stance on Juventus move could fast-track Man Utd exit
- Danilo has already learned two important skills from Casemiro amid rumblings he could move to Man Utd
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
