How and why Mourinho should experiment with a flat 4-4-2 formation at Manchester United

4-4-2 (flat) can be the way ahead:

Game-changer

Anthony Martial is the best finisher amongst the current set of forwards in Manchester United’s squad. The Frenchman possesses a calm head in front of the goal and often comes out as the winner in one-on-one situations against the goalkeeper.

His ability to strike the goal from in and around the box has helped United in games in which they have struggled to churn out many chances.

For example, in the game against Burnley last month, United had just two shots on target, but Martial converted one of them into a goal and hence the Red Devils emerged victorious in the contest. Likewise, on many occasions, it has been proven that Martial can be one of the safest bets in terms of converting chances into goals.

However, it can be possible only when he plays on the left wing, or as the striker upfront. He is essentially a right-footed player and favours playing on the left side of the pitch, which gives him a better angle in front of the goal. Playing upfront too, he has been clinical by scoring once and assisting once in two matches as the centre-forward this season.

On the right wing though, he finds chances hard to come by and fades out of the games due to his inactivity on that wing. Having played three matches as the right winger this season, the Frenchman has failed to register even a single goal or assist so far.

He looks uncomfortable, loses his calmness on the ball and gets dispossessed far too easily on the right flank.

In the match against Newcastle United last week, Martial failed to finish off an easy chance created by a pinpoint through ball from Nemanja Matic in the first half. One should wonder, would he have scored that goal if the same chance was created in the left half of the pitch.

The answer is certainly yes.