3 changes which may enable Manchester United to perform better this season

Manchester United have struggled to some extent in their last few matches, as they have lost against Arsenal, Wolves, and Barcelona in a short span. United have scored 1 goal and conceded 5 in those 3 matches, and their performances have raised a few eyebrows among their supporters.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United manager, was given a three-year contract last month after United made it to the Champions League quarter-final at the expense of PSG, and also broke into the top 4 in the Premier League table.

However, the Red Devils’ performance in the last one month has not been up to the mark. They would find it hard to finish inside the top 4 in the Premier League and also have a crucial knock-out match coming up next week against Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Now, we would like to have a look at the few changes Solskjaer could make in order to improve their performances.

#1 Playing with a 4-2-3-1 formation

United have been playing with a 3-5-2 or 4-3-3 in most of their matches this season, but should consider changing it for a while. They do not have enough creative midfielders in their line-up to successfully play with a 4-3-3 against a top team. On the other hand, playing with a 3-5-2 makes them very predictable, as they have to heavily depend upon the veteran Ashley Young in order to generate attacks.

Therefore, United should try playing with a 4-2-3-1 with Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic as the double pivot. McTominay has been a revelation in the last few matches for United and would have to play box-to-box at times in the aforementioned arrangement.

However, if Matic is unavailable with an injury, Andreas Perreira or Fred could partner McTominay in the midfield. The Portuguese youngster has been quite impressive in the last month or so, and should be given more playing minutes.

This formation would also allow Paul Pogba to spend more time in the opposition half, and add impetus to United’s attacks. He would be able to pose more problems to the opposing defence with his probing runs and create more scoring opportunities.

Romelu Lukaku and Anthony Martial could play on the wings, and Marcus Rashford could play as the lone striker. It would also allow United to have a better balance in their attack and defence.

#2 Building up slowly and playing more passes in the final third

United have been relying more on quick build-ups and counter-attacking moves in the last few matches, and that approach needs a change. The United forwards have struggled to control the ball while moving up with the frenetic pace, and therefore, failed to trouble the opposition defenders much.

They had 10 shots at the Barcelona goal in their last match, but none of them was on target. The likes of Lukaku and Rashford have worked hard but failed to be clinical in front of the opposition goal. As a result, the goals have dried up for United, and they should adopt a slower and more composed approach near the opposition penalty box.

If Pogba who has 14 goals and 11 assists this season already, plays as an attacking midfielder, he would be able to play more passes with the likes of Martial, Lukaku, and Rashford, and thereby exploit the gaps in the opposition defence. This would also allow the forwards more time on the ball. As a result, their shooting accuracy might also improve.

#3 Improving the quality of defending inside their own penalty box

United’s penalty-box defending has not been very good in the last few matches, and they have failed to keep clean sheets against big teams. They have conceded goals in each of the matches against PSG, Arsenal, and Barca, and would have to improve the quality of defending inside the penalty box.

They have actually conceded 5 goals in the last 3 matches they have lost, which is a testimony to their drawbacks in defence.

Victor Lindelof has been very good this season for United but would have to improve the quality of his tackles inside the box. Chris Smalling, on the other hand, is not very fast and can be beaten for pace.

Moreover, mistakes by young players like Diego Dalot and Fred have also led to some goals. Fred conceded a soft penalty against Arsenal, whereas Dalot was caught out of his position when Luis Suarez had a free header inside the penalty box in the match against Barcelona.

Hopefully, Solskjaer and his assistants would take notice of those shortcomings and try to rectify them. United should defend better in order to avoid conceding soft goals in vital encounters.