Manchester United have done very well in their recent games and stand third in the Premier League table with a game to spare. The Red Devils next travel to the blue half of Merseyside to face Everton in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup. Solskjaer will look to win at least one piece of silverware this season at Manchester United with the team performing well.
On the other hand, Ancelotti will also look to do the same with Everton as the manager was acquainted to winning before that. But Manchester United have the upper hand as Everton are very likely to be without James Rodriguez and Allan who have been their better players. Solskjaer will be expected to chop and change things as Shaw and McTominay will miss the fixture.
Let us now have a look at how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might set his Manchester United side against Everton in the quarter-final stage of the EFL Cup.
THE 4-4-2 (DIAMOND)
After the thumping victory against Leeds United in the Premier League, Solskjaer stated that McTominay and Shaw are both doubtful for the Everton game. It is very likely for Solskjaer to go with a 4-4-2 (diamond) formation as United have done well in such a system this season. Telles will surely replace Luke Shaw in the starting lineup and McTominay might be replaced by Nemanja Matic.
Paul Pogba looks revitalized and has performed very well and has been involved in goals and assists for the Red Devils. It is almost a surety for him to start against Everton as they have a shaky defence with several injured players. Solskjaer will look to take advantage of that by having both Bruno Fernandes and Pogba on the pitch.
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford will again be trusted to score the goals for Manchester United in such a system as both work well in tandem.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 has been rather less used by Solskjaer this season with these set of personnel, especially after the Tottenham defeat. But against Everton, it might be a good system to use as they don’t have their two best midfielders in Allan and James Rodriguez. The midfield pivot is likely to have Matic and Pogba together but Fred might also challenge for a spot in this system.
The front four of Manchester United in this system is arguably the best in the world with Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings. Cavani can make the centre-forward position his own if he scores goals frequently, which Martial has failed to do this season. The main men will still be Rashford and Bruno Fernandes as they have wreaked damage in the opposition defence this season.
THE 3-5-2
The 3-5-2 has been used at Manchester United quite a few times but Solskjaer uses it only against good attacking oppositions. Everton mainly attack with only Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin, thus the 3-5-2 might not be needed against them. Manchester United lost three semi-finals last season and should be wary of not going doing the same again and should win if they play according to their potential and recent form.
