4 Ways Manchester United can lineup for 2018/19

4-1-4-1 Formation

Can Pep's idea propel Mourinho and United to success?

Jose Mourinho can take a leaf out of the bald wizard, Pep Guardiola's book and base his system on the Manchester City's recent title-winning formation. This formation allows for more players being involved in every attack and a system of high pressing on the pitch. Considering the number of attackers Manchester United has, it may be an option to look forward to. United can get the most mileage out of playing with two banks of four if they're used properly by Mourinho. With Matic protecting the defense and allowing the full backs to go on an advanced crossing position, this system will probably result in a lot of goals and assists for each the attacker, just like it did for the quartet of Sane-De Bruyne-Silva-Sterling. Matic gets a double role in this formation as both a holder and a link-up passer. The first thing is that Matic has to help cover the defense and add an extra layer of protection by making hard tackles and putting attacking players under pressure. He also has to be a link between the defence and the attack. For the central attacking role, Lingard or Fred can partner with Pogba or Sanchez through the middle and fall back and partner Matic during defense. Martial or Rashford can then take up their preferred left midfield role, while Mata can be expected to showcase his impressive through balls, from the right of the midfield. With the wingers being allowed the freedom to roam all around the pitch, it takes a lot of the opposition’s defense out of position and creates gaps and opportunities. All the channels would run into Lukaku, who would be hoping to continue his goal-scoring touch. The fluidity of this system allows it to convert to a 4-4-2 diamond formation, with one of the wingers partnering the striker and a central attacking midfielder drifting to the wings. The issues with this system are that it might result in the team being caught outnumbered during counter attacks and be dysfunctional if the CDM isn't functioning properly.