Now is the time for a change of shape, Ole
THE extent of United’s malaise depends on your outlook.
The pessimists will be writing off the season already and looking to the more systemic problems within the club, while the optimists will believe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can get the team firing again even after an atrocious 2-0 defeat at West Ham.
Realism, however, probably dictates that United can look no further than the next week and grind out victories in home games against Rochdale, in the Carabao Cup, and Arsenal in a week’s time.
And there are several changes Solskjaer can make to immediately improve his United side.
Two of them will be automatic, forced changes because of injuries and players returning from the treatment table. Solskjaer suggested both Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba could face Rochdale tomorrow night, perhaps as a trial run ahead of the Arsenal game.
In truth, they cannot return soon enough. The Reds may have won successive games 1-0, against Leicester and Astana, but they’ve not produced a coherent performance without the French duo.
So while there will undoubtedly be rotation and the introduction of fringe players in the United side for that Carabao Cup tie, Pogba for Nemanja Matic and Martial for the injured Marcus Rashford appear fairly obvious and straightforward changes to Solskjaer’s first-choice line-up.
And while that will allow the Norwegian to change his tactical gameplan - which was restricted and therefore exposed in the West Ham game - to get United controlling games again, particularly away from home, they potentially need a change of shape too.
The clamour from supporters to see Fred in the side isn’t without reason. Many see the potential in the Brazilian, his passing ability and his tenacity, all of which United could have used from the start at the London Stadium.
So a 4-3-3 with a midfield trio of Fred, Pogba and Scott McTominay would certainly look a lot more formidable - and suit Solskjaer’s style, too. He wants his midfielders playing through-balls to a quick front three. Not to mention that United’s best football under the Norwegian came while playing a 4-3-3.
Martial can be the focal point in that system, Pogba has always preferred the freedom it affords him.
Bringing Fred in for a No.10 - Juan Mata was the previous incumbent would bring more balance to the side. Mata had been swamped by West Ham’s players, so too Jesse Lingard when he played in that role. It just isn’t proving conducive at the moment.
The fourth and final change, for now, that could seriously improve United would be more seismic.
Dropping Victor Lindelof could be considered a little harsh. United’s midfield and attack have certainly been more problematic than their back line, but Axel Tuanzebe showed in the Europa League win that he deserves a chance in the Premier League.
The former Aston Villa loan star will surely get another opportunity in the Carabao Cup against his hometown team to stake a further claim.
United fans would love to see Tuanzebe alongside Harry Maguire in the heart of defence and it’s surely worth making changes at this stage.
The Reds have just eight points from six games, the same as Burnley and Sheffield United. Now is the time to change things.
Suggested United first-choice team for Arsenal game: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Maguire, Young; McTominay, Fred, Pogba; Pereira, James, Martial.