3 managers who could bring back fancy football to Old Trafford

#2 Marcelo Bielsa

The revolutionary tactician

My favourite person for the job is the Argentinian who has taken up a one year deal at Leeds United, and in his short duration at the helm he has already guided The Peacocks to the top of the table ahead of Middlesbrough on goal difference.

The men at Elland Road are in a much better physical condition, and the tactics of Bielsa have opened a new dimension of football for the once bitter rivals of Man Utd. His man management skills are second to none, and he could bring in the much needed peace and harmony, as well as inculcate a sense of leadership if he were to be given the reigns at United.

The Argentinian is trying to revolutionise the game with his very attacking 3-3-3-1/3-3-1-3 system, a formation that has brought him varied amount of success across Europe. These tactics are suitable only for players with extremely good conditioning, as he wants his team to seamlessly transition from a defensive position to an attacking one, and vice versa.

This system of play has wowed fans across the globe, as it was one of the key assets in his tenures with both Argentina and Chile (he helped Chile qualify for the 2010 World Cup after an absence from the previous two editions).

His football is easy on the eye, and is bound to create a lot of chances given the right personnel - something the Mancunians are dying to see.

His teams have a lot of possession in attacking areas, quick on the break, and aggressive in pressing the opposition high up the pitch.

Under the Argentinian, his teams play with three at the back - a sweeper (he plays a very critical role as the defense tends to maintain an extremely high line) in the center, and two traditional defenders on either side.

The three in deep midfield will consist of two wide attacking players that can play with more freedom if required, and a defensive midfielder to protect the defense.

The defense itself will play an extremely high-line, and all players must be able to adapt fluently into a number of positions on the pitch, as Bielsa demands a dynamic style of football based on fluidity.

There is room for three attacking midfielders providing vigor to the attack and holding up the ball, bringing teammates into play – something Lukaku is very good at - and thus transitioning into a more potent 3-3-1-3 with wingers playing off the striker.

Also at Bilbao, he adapted the system to a more traditional 4-3-3, this proves that he could very well adjust to the strengths of his players, and not be too rigid with his football philosophy.

It is true that usually a possession based style of football is played at a slower tempo, but Bielsa demands high intensity and high energy throughout a match. His players have to leave everything on the pitch if they have to survive the rigors of this system, weeding out the unfit casualties.