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

The resulting four-man midfield looks formidable

a) The wide men

Mata and Sanchez will play key roles

When a team plays with four men in a flat midfield formation, it is necessary for the wingers to track back when the fullbacks speed up on the pitch. In the formation that is suggested here, Sanchez and Juan Mata will play on either wing. Both these players are extremely hard working and are always ready to run that extra yard to help their defenders.

Especially Sanchez has the tendency to drop deep, to collect the ball and then to take the ball up by cutting in from the flank. Jose Mourinho always demands defensive duties from his wide men and Sanchez does that more than Martial.

That does not take away any offensive flair from his game, something that we often see in wingers who dutifully complete their defensive work.

Sanchez is an extremely productive player on both ends of the pitch and Jose Mourinho can place the bets on him to change the course of the game in a matter of minutes.

On the other hand, Mata might not be the most stylish or traditional winger, but his exploits from the right wing have been impressive of late. The Spaniard creates chances with his widespread passing range and can make accurate through balls by playing from an inward right wing position.