5 big decisions Ralf Rangnick needs to make at Manchester United

#3 Bring Bruno Fernandes back into the starting lineup

Manchester United v Arsenal - Premier League

It's fair to give Ralf Rangnick a few weeks to figure things out and understand the strengths of his players. But the fact that Bruno Fernandes should be starting every single game is a no-brainer at this point. He is the most creative and technically adept midfielder Manchester United have got.

Fernandes simply elevates this team. He is always looking to make quick passes and his quick-thinking and execution helps Manchester United topple defences regularly. In his absence, they look like a side bereft of ideas. There are no creative playmakers at Manchester United except for the Portuguese international.

He scored the most goals and provided the most number of assists for Manchester United in 2021. Without Paul Pogba and Fernandes on the pitch, Manchester United are just a wayward side with no way of dictating tempo or carving out chances.

#2 Use a different formation

Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League

Following on from the last point, Manchester United have plenty of midfielders but none of them are really known for their playmaking abilities. In the 4-2-2-2 system that Rangnick uses, he needs two 'number 6s'. Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic have played as the double midfield pivot in the last two games.

Matic can play line-breaking passes but there's a limit to the amount of influence he can assert on the game at this late stage in his career. McTominay can be exceptional in one game and quite ordinary in the next. When Manchester United play in a 4-2-2-2 formation, they play with four forwards.

Without adequate support in midfield and McTominay struggling to provide support from the centre of the park, the forwards end up being isolated. They are left to do too much work on their own. Greenwood did well against Wolves but the lack of cohesion upfront ensured nothing good came at the end of it.

Rangnick needs to change this formation or tweak it at the very least. Manchester United desperately need players who can help them control proceedings in midfield.

#1 Start Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho together

Chelsea v Manchester United - Premier League

This was 'promised land' as far as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was concerned. But the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo complicated everything. Manchester United were at their best in recent seasons when they had a fluid front three with players interchanging positions.

Greenwood, Rashford and Sancho are all runners. Even better, they are all great ball-carriers as well. With Fernandes operating right behind them, Manchester United could once again become devastating on the counter.

But for that to happen, Rangnick needs to make the harsh decision of benching his experienced forwards. But deploying Greenwood, Rashford and Sancho together is not even a gamble at this point as all three are proven attackers. Could it really be worse than what we've seen in recent weeks? We don't think so.