MANCHESTER UNITED have set about rejigging Michael Carrick’s midfield supplies – and no time has been wasted.
After ‘s exit at the end of last season – and the expected departure of before his serious World Cup injury – an overhaul was in need.
Manchester United are set to have plenty of midfield options for the new season Credit: Getty
How Michael Carrick lines up behind Bruno Fernandes is up for debate Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Despite Ederson’s move from Atalanta falling through, at least two new players will come into the squad – .
will follow him – but how does former metronome fit it all together and utilise captain ?
Main men
United won 12 games from 17 under Carrick and if there was a mild criticism of their form it was that there was no set style.
The ability to win in different ways is an undeniable positive, and results always take precedence in the run-in to a season.
For Carrick, the challenge was twofold in that he had an opportunity to get United into the and secure the job permanently.
So any win mattered more than the performance.
Carrick enthused about the enthralling 3-2 win against in May and United .
Those two wins were the first glimpses of United developing more of a controlling style.
As much of a procession as the Brighton fixture developed into, Brighton were playing for a European place and the Amex has been United’s bogey ground.
Tielemans is an attacking midfielder and is such a fleet-footed talent that used him as a No10.
Both are in their element in the opposition half or final third.
With Bruno Fernandes as the No10, it would be a three-pronged attack of a midfield and one United could only justify against reticent sides whose game plan is to not have the ball.
Line-up one: (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Bruno, Cunha; Sesko
Youri Tielemans will expect lots of gametime at Old Trafford
Tiel me more
in a season United are back in the Champions League but he is a short-term investment.
, but he is yet to develop defensive discipline on a consistent basis.
His steady performance at in April was an outlier.
He does have the benefit of working under a coach who was neither a defensive nor attacking midfielder yet enjoyed a 12-year playing career at United.
Santos is not an outright defensive midfielder.
United director of Jason Wilcox even said that the Brazilian can have an impact at “both ends of the pitch.”
Tielemans started the final alongside , a centre back who played in midfield as a youth-teamer at Vasteras in .
coach knew Lindelof would not stray far from the halfway line and he is a better footballer than a defender.
He might have been better used there than at centre- half during his eight years at United.
has played in midfield but United have to bring in an actual defensive midfielder.
It would be a waste of Mainoo’s skill set to order him to sit in the middle third.
Lineup two: (4-2-3-1) Lammens, Mazraoui, Maguire, Yoro, Shaw; Tielemans, Santos; Mbeumo, Bruno, Cunha, Sesko
Andrey Santos has already arrived this summer
The Brazilian is verstile Credit: Getty
Threedom
Carrick could pivot from the 4-2-3-1 used in the second half of last season and opt for a flat midfield three.
The United boss played in three-man midfields several times during his United career.
United’s 2008 Champions League final team was so flexible that they switched to a 4-4-2 formation at kick-off, with on the right wing and Carrick pulling the strings with .
This United side is a way off from developing that versatility as they simply do not have the numbers for it.
It took Sir a full season to opt for such tactical innovation in Moscow, swayed by Hargreaves’ enterprising quarter-final performance on the right-hand side against .
Tielemans, Mainoo and Fernandes is a midfield trio brimming with technical quality.
But Mainoo would have to be the No6, with Tielemans the ‘8’ and Fernandes the ‘10’ for it to function.
It would be a possible in-game switch, say if United are in need of a goal and their opponent has retreated.
Tielemans’ shooting ability from distance could be particularly useful off the bench against teams that have battened down the hatches.
But there could be a way of getting Mainoo and both of United’s new signings into the side – while not losing Fernandes’ match-winning ability.
Carrick has not been afraid to start without a recognised striker, particularly in bigger games against and , where was left on the bench.
occupied the centre forward’s role with reasonable success, but in this vision, Fernandes would play at the tip.
The captain has never played as a false nine under Carrick, but has under previous managers.
And it would give United some versatility, especially with Fernandes then able to rotate with Mbeumo and end up on the right – a position in which he often finds himself doing his best creative work.
Santos, Mainoo and Tielemans could be a compatible midfield, although it may not be the level required if United are to progress on their third-place finish.
And of course, United though his deal includes the option of another year.
Lineup three: (4-3-3)Lammens; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Tielemans, Santos, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Bruno, Cunha
Carrick could change formation and use Fernandes further forward
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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