Masters of 3-4-3
During the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, Roberto Martinez switched his formation from a 4-3-3 to a 3-4-3 and the Red Devils have never looked back since, with all the players in the squad harnessing a fine understanding of what Martinez’s system of choice requires, resulting in a unit that is both clinical up front and solid at the back. Once upon a time, Belgium played blue-collar football in a 4-4-2 formation, but today they boast a flamboyant style with an abundance of talent, who collectively smashed 40 goals past their opponents in the qualification campaign.
The back three lack mobility, but wing-back Thomas Meunier can drop back. Midfield metronome Kevin De Bruyne keeps the team ticking. On the left, Eden Hazard, if fit, can roam around, with Romelu Lukaku and super sub Michy Batshuayi providing the goals. But what happens when the A-listers fail to ignite? Revert to a base 4-3-3? Martinez doesn’t have a real Plan B. Former favourites Mousa Dembele and Marouane Fellaini have both retired and the next generation, as recent friendlies demonstrated, isn’t ready.