Manchester United's "fluid four" system explained and why it works wonders against attacking sides

#4 The midfield arrangement

Against the bigger sides, United line up with a midfield three with Matic playing as the anchor instead of the more traditional 4-2-3-1. As said above, Matic plays as the anchor, while Pogba and Herrera often switch their respective roles of an advanced playmaker and a box to box midfielder as the situation demands.

This nifty midfield arrangement allows United to have the numerical advantage at all times. While defending, Alexis and Lingard drop back and sit next to Pogba and Herrera to form a wall in front of Matic and the back four.

And when United start to counter, Alexis and Lingard dart forward into one corner of the pitch and either one of Pogba or Herrera joins them and Lukaku to form the "fluid four" while the other operates just in front of Matic to provide support to the attackers.