Revealed :Ragnicks declares his plans for United and reveals his tactical formations for games ahead .

 

Man Utd could adopt ‘4-2-2-2’ 

formation under ‘revolutionary’ Rangnick

A new era at Manchester United is upon 

us with Ralf Rangnick set to be handed 

the reins at Old Trafford.

What could this mean for United?

In the past, Rangnick has often used the 

unusual 4-2-2-2 formation which is rarely 

seen in the Premier League, which he 

believes is ideal to exploit the ‘red zones’.

Speaking to the Coaches Voice about this 

style when referencing Red Bull Salzburg’s 

system, he previously explained: “We decided

 on a formation that, in Germany and Austria

, no other team has played – 4-2-2-2.

“A back four, two number sixes – one 

was more like an eight – two number 10s, 

and two strikers.

“[Sadio] Mane and Kevin Kampl didn’t play 

on the wing; they played in a ‘semi-position’ 

we called ‘the red zone’.”

With this formation in mind, talkSPORT has 

identified how United could look under 

Rangnick for the rest of the 2021/22 campaign.

David de Gea, who’s arguably been the Red 

Devils’ best player in their dreadful start to the 

campaign, will be safe in the XI.

Shaw could be in trouble – unless Rangnick 

has changed his opinion of him

At the back, however, changes could be 

imminent.

Last year, Rangnick said Luke Shaw ‘wasn’t on 

the level’ for United and that could see Alex 

Telles introduced as an offensive left-back 

in his system.

Shaw had a superb season last time out but 

has struggled to replicate his impressive 

campaign and Euro 2020 form into this 

campaign.

“I know they have Luke Shaw but I’m not so 

sure if he’s still on the same kind of level you 

need to be for a club like Manchester United,” 

Rangnick told Sky Sports in an interview in 

September 2020.

Despite Harry Maguire’s woeful start to the 

season, the club captain is likely to start with 

Raphael Varane at centre-back, whilst the more

 attacking Diogo Dalot may get the nod over 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Rangnick prefers 

his full-backs to be more offensive-minded.

In the 4-2-2-2 formation, Rangnick also prefers

 his deepest midfielders to be as mobile as 

possible.

When fully fit, Paul Pogba possesses too 

much quality to overlook and would have to 

return to the midfield alongside the more 

defensive Fred or Scott McTominay.

Fred has been one of United’s better players 

in recent weeks, so he’d get the nod ahead of 

the Scot, while Donny van de Beek would have 

to rotate with Pogba in the more attacking No.8 

position.

In the more advanced midfield pairing,

 Rangnick could use Bruno Fernandes and 

Jadon Sancho as two wide No.10’s effectively 

– or the ‘red zone’ as the tactician calls it.

Fernandes is already a great presser, while 

Sancho is one name who could well blossom 

under the German due to his time at Borussia 

Dortmund, talkSPORT’s European football 

expert Kevin Hatchard believes.

“Jadon Sancho I think will be a real beneficiary

 of this if it all goes through,” he said on 

Thursday.

“Because he’s a guy who, you’ve gotta bear

 in mind, has been in German football.

“And he’s used to learning about pressing 

triggers, he’s used to learning about when to 

go and press the opponent, when not to.

“I think part of the struggle at Manchester United

 is that maybe those instructions haven’t been 

as detailed or haven’t been the same – I think 

he’s struggled in that regard.

“I would think he’d be perfect for the way that

 Rangnick would want to play.

“Because he’s the kind of guy that makes 

decisions quickly and generally makes the right

 decisions.

“He thrives in that kind of broken transitional 

play that Rangnick wants to create.”

Perhaps the one dilemma that Rangnick has

 is his task of dealing with Cristiano Ronaldo, 

who five years ago Rangnick labelled ‘too old 

and too expensive’ five when he was at RB 

Leipzig.

Rangnick has been labelled ‘old and 

expensive’ by Rangnick in the past, but he’s 

surely too good to drop?

Rangnick will know the Portuguese is 

undroppable, though, so he’d have to try and 

counteract that by utilising Edinson Cavani or 

Marcus Rashford up top with both players used 

to pressurising defenders.

Potential XI  under Rangnick predicted by TalkSport