Manchester United travel to Merseyside in the weekend as Everton play hosts to the Red Devils in the Premier League. Both the sides have lost their recent couple of games and will be keen to get back to winning ways. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also under pressure to deliver as rumours of Pochettino have increased after the loss to Istanbul Basaksehir.
We can expect a lot of changes from the side that faced Arsenal as the Red Devils played poorly in the game. The likes of Anthony Martial and Donny Van de Beek are expected to start as had a good game in Turkey. It will be interesting to see what system Ole goes for with Martial back in contention for selection in the Premier League this weekend.
Let us now have a look at how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might set his Manchester United side up against Ancelotti’s Everton this weekend.
THE 4-4-2 (DIAMOND)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has stuck to the 4-4-2 (diamond) formation in the recent past for quite a while now after the Tottenham loss. With Fred, McTominay and Bruno Fernandes in the midfield, the Red Devils play a very balanced system. Van de Beek surely deserves a place in the starting lineup now after performing very well in the Champions League, with Pogba and Matic looking out of ideas.
Solskjaer will also have a problem with his centre-backs, as Lindelof has a problem with his back, thus Tuanzebe started in the Champions League. Telles is still out after suffering from the coronavirus and is expected to be out from the game. De Gea will also make his comeback to the starting lineup after resting for the game in Turkey, which ended in defeat for the Red Devils.
This formation will be very effective but Solskjaer needs to play the right players at the right positions to make it work.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 has been Solskjaer’s go-to formation but Matic and Pogba have both failed to live up to expectations this season. But, Fred and McTominay have done very well in the midfield pivot, and have also provided a strong shield in front of the defence. It also gives the full-backs more freedom and license to go forward and get linked with the midfielders and strikers.
On the right, Greenwood was used a lot last season, but this season, he has been caught out defensively. Mata has been used on the right side this season, but Van de Beek will be better, as he offers more, both on and off the ball. The addition of Anthony Martial will bring a new dimension to Manchester United’s attack, as he can dribble and also hold the ball up and bring other players into the play.
THE 3-5-2
In times of despair, Solskjaer has often gone for the secure 3-5-2 formation against tough opposition in the bigger games. With Alex Telles out, Brandon Williams will be expected to play on the left wing-back spot. This might be an option against Everton who have done well going forward with Calvert-Lewin and James scoring and making most of the goals.
