Manchester United host last season’s Champions League semifinalists RB Leipzig next in their group stage after a boring draw against Chelsea. The Red Devils will be keen to build from their win at Paris against PSG last midweek and will try to replicate the same level of performance against Leipzig as well. Solskjaer has a couple of tough decisions to make regarding the system and personnel to use tomorrow against a strong Leipzig side.
The Norwegian manager has suffered criticism for benching some of the United side’s best players. The likes of Pogba, Matic and Van de Beek haven’t started for a while but Fred and McTominay have done a great job defensively for the Red Devils. Against a strong Leipzig side, that is yet to lose this season, things will surely be difficult for Manchester United.
Let us now have a look at how Solskjaer might his Manchester United side up against Nagelmann’s RB Leipzig.
THE 3-5-2
The 3-5-2 is Manchester United’s tried and tested system under current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when the opposition is strong. This system was used to perfection against PSG as it was used in an attacking sense, with the wing-backs playing high up the pitch to suffocate the opposition. In fact, Leipzig themselves play a 3-5-2 system, thus this might be the best option for Solskjaer, as Manchester United have better players than Leipzig, in the same positions.
It will surely come down to the tactics and the systems in place tomorrow as both managers have shown their tactical genius. Manchester United might start with Pogba instead of McTominay to instil more creativity into the Red Devils. The Frenchman has had some great cameos and finally looks ready to start games again.
He might even give rest to Rashford, as the winger has played a lot of football in the recent past, without a break.
THE 4-4-2 (DIAMOND)
In the latter second half of the game against PSG, Solskjaer unleashed the 4-4-2 (diamond) formation to pin down the Parisians in their own half, which ultimately resulted in a goal. The left-back spot will be tough to select, as Telles was amazing in his debut but was absent from the squad against Chelsea. In this system, Solskjaer can fit in the likes of McTominay, Pogba, Fred and Fernandes.
The United boss will also have to make a decision of whether to start Lindelof or Tuanzebe, as the latter was one of the best players against PSG. This will be a balanced system but the players need to be wary of Leipzig’s strengths as well, as the German club will press high up the pitch. On the ball, McTominay and Fred have to be good for the Red Devils to be successful tomorrow against a good German club.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 is another system Manchester United have used lately in the Premier League this season with Fred and McTominay as the pivot. Both the midfielders cover a lot of ground and are defensively good. Pogba and Fernandes will be in-charge of creating chances for the Red Devils in such a system. Manchester United will be expected to win against Leipzig and then look on to their next game against Arsenal.
