4-2-3-1: Potential United XI with De Ligt, Ugarte and Zirkzee included, will be PL powerhouse – We’re surely winning the league title this season
Manchester United have been involved in a flurry of transfer activity over the past few days.
After the announcement of new sporting director Dan Ashworth officially taking up his role after agreeing compensation with Newcastle United and a reported recruitment meeting on Monday, United have sprung into action.
Deals for Netherlands duo Joshua Zirkzee and Matthijs de Ligt look to be advancing and heading towards a resolution.
United have also reportedly made a bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte with the Uruguayan already having given the green light to the move.
The Red Devils have also had a second bid for Jarrad Branthwaite rejected as Everton hold firm over their £70 million valuation.
Therefore, Zirkzee, De Ligt and Ugarte currently seem like the most likely signings, so it is interesting to see how United will line up with the potential new transfers taking their place in the starting line up.
United have just hired ball-playing goalkeeping expert Jelle ten Rouwelaar , so Andre Onana will most definitely remain in goal as they look to maximise his gifts on the ball.
Lisandro Martinez will logically be the first choice centre back and new signing De Ligt will replace Varane in the starting line up. The Dutchman is excellent on the ball and like Martinez, has played with Onana and is very familiar with Ten Hag’s style. He would also bring a physical presence and dominance in the air that United currently miss at times.
Players’ player of the year Diogo Dalot will shift over to his favoured right back position and a fully fit Luke Shaw will start at left back. Finally, United will have a back four and goalkeeper who are supremely confident and comfortable on the ball, to play out from the back with ease.
Manuel Ugarte will likely replace Casemiro as the most defensive midfielder in the team and the 23 year old would bring a raw energy that the Brazilian just doesn’t possess anymore, as he is demonstrating for Uruguay in Copa America.
The 23 year old excels at pressing and cutting off passing lanes and would be given the task of stopping counter attacks and protecting the back four.
The signing of the defensive midfield man would go a long way to allowing more creative midfielders Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes to focus on the more attacking element of their game.
While the 19 year old Englishman has shown good all-round quality to his game, there is no doubt that he is at his most exciting when picking passes or making jinking runs forward with his impressive array of skills.
What’s more, everyone is aware of the attacking threat Bruno Fernandes can provide and while the Portuguese will always chase back and fight for his team, a midfield of Ugarte and Mainoo will allow him to push forward and be closer to goal, where he is at his most dangerous.
United’s front line will logically consist of Alejandro Garnacho who will aim to make a third successive jump in production and push towards 15 goals in all competitions next year after last season’s outstanding campaign.
Marcus Rashford will most likely take up his usual role on the left wing. The English international suffered an horrendous season last year but it seems that his future is likely to be at Old Trafford, so Ten Hag alongside new coaches Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake will aim to get the best out of him once more.
The new starting striker is debateable with Rasmus Hojlund finishing top scorer last season and the likelihood is Zirkzee will rotate heavily with the Dane or they may even play together in some matches.
Nonetheless, the Dutchman gets the nod in our predicted side as his tactical flexibility could bring other United players into the game. His ability to drop deep and provide the role of playmaker could allow Fernandes to push forward beyond him and also help involve Rashford and Garnacho more in the game.
He is described as being “great on creating separation from his markers and placing himself between lines, making defenders come out of position. His spatial awareness is great in those situations, detecting teammates to play fast combinations when feeling under pressure or turning around and trying to attack the rival defence by vertical runs.”
His height, physical strength and pressing ability are also all valuable skills to contribute to this United team.
Therefore, with the three potential new signings and coaching changes, Ten Hag can finally move to the ball retention system with which he had greater success at Ajax and make United a modern, dynamic, attacking side.
