After a crushing defeat at the hands of bitter rivals Manchester City in the semifinal of the EFL Cup, Manchester United host Watford. The Red Devils face Watford in the third round of the FA Cup and will return to their winning ways. Looking at the congestion of games in this time of the year and also looking at the opposition, a lot of changes might be in store for us.
Watford are doing well in the Championship and should not be taken very lightly as they might cause an upset. Solskjaer will surely give his stars a rest and will play a rather weaker side than what lined up against Manchester City. The likes of Van de Beek, Tuanzebe, Jesse Lingard and even Facundo Pellistri might play for the Red Devils.
Let us now have a look at how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer might set his Manchester United side up against Watford in the third round of the FA Cup.
THE 4-2-3-1
The 4-2-3-1 has been very successful for Solskjaer at Manchester United in the past couple of years and this might again be used in the FA Cup clash. The starting lineup might look something like this as most of these players haven’t played for the Red Devils in the recent past. This game will also give Ole time to rest his stars and give chances to the fringe players in the first-team squad.
There have even been talks of Facundo Pellistri being in and around the first-team squad and has been spotted in training. There is a slight chance that the Uruguayan might play his first game for Manchester United against Watford in the FA Cup game. The back-four is also very likely to change drastically as Tuanzebe and Alex Telles are almost a surety to feature for the Red Devils.
The Red Devils have Edinson Cavani suspended from the game and thus Martial is expected to lead the line, but Ighalo might get one last chance to play for United as well.
THE 4-4-2 (DIAMOND)
The 4-4-2 (Diamond) system has done justice for Solskjaer and Manchester United as the Red Devils have a lot of depth in the midfield department. The midfield spots in such a system might cause a bit of problem for Solskjaer as the left midfielder will be in question. Pogba, McTominay, Lingard all will be in contention for the spot, but the latter might be the one chosen to start the game.
Juan Mata might be influential in such a game where, United will be expected to dominate possession and space. The Spaniard will be the Red Devils’ creator in chief in such a system and he has also done well in these cup games. Fosu-Mensah has a chance to play for Manchester United even though he hasn’t played a lot of football recently.
THE 3-5-2
The only other option that Solskjaer has used at Manchester United is the 3-5-2, but it is highly unlikely to be used against Watford. The Red Devils will be expected to dominate the game against Watford and will be expected to take the game to the hornets as they should go for the kill. This game will be a good opportunity for the fringe players to impress Solskjaer and get a place back in the Premier League starting lineup.
