Former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen has built Manchester United’s starting lineup after the African Cup of Nations.
The days of Manchester United’s back three appear to be over, with Rúben Amorim dismissed following the 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Sunday, 4 January.
Amorim’s comments, referring to himself as the ‘manager’ rather than the ‘head coach’, appear to have led to his sacking. United’s official statement said: “Ruben Amorim has departed his role as Head Coach of Manchester United.”
Darren Fletcher took charge of the squad following Amorim’s sacking, but he could be replaced quickly with the club reportedly in talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick over an interim position until the end of the season.
Towards the end of Amorim’s tenure, he was without Amad, Noussair Mazraoui and Bryan Mbeumo due to the African Cup of Nations, while Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount were all out injured.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant and former Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen has now had his say on the perfect lineup for United once everyone returns to team training.
Meulensteen makes formation change in ideal line-up
The first question under any new management at Old Trafford will be: what formation will they play? It seems it has to be a back four with United fans and higher-ups, including Jason Wilcox, reportedly unhappy with Amorim’s back three system.
When asked about what he would, Meulensteen told football betting site BetVictor: “It’s not that difficult. I would go to a 4-2-3-1 straight away, 100%. I would pick a back four, possibly with Patrick Dorgu.
“You have to look at who’s available and who’s fit in the middle. On the right-hand side, you can choose between Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot.
“In midfield, two sixes are important, but I would definitely put Kobbie Mainoo in there because he’s got legs. I kept saying all along he should have bought Adam Wharton.
“If they would have bought Adam Wharton in that system, with Mainoo next to him or whatever – a guy with legs, two guys making sure that the roles are clear.”
It could be difficult for United to sign Adam Wharton in the January transfer window, but the “elegant” star has been a target for some time, and could be bought in the summer. Regardless, perhaps Amorim’s departure could force the United board into more winter transfers.
Wharton isn’t the only known midfield target; Elliot Anderson and Carlos Baleba are also being explored. However, Wilcox may wait for the new management to be appointed before making any permanent additions.
Meulensteen names front four
The former United coach continued to say: “Then Matheus Cunha on the left, he can roam inside so Dorgu can still go forward. Bruno Fernandes can roam towards the right so you create a box between the two sixes and Cunha and Fernandes with Bryan Mbeumo on the right when he’s back from AFCON, like he did for Brentford.
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“Benjamin Šeško up front, done, job done. You play like that, and you defend from a 4-4-2. You can press from the middle. You can let the ball go to the side.
“You squeeze your wingers up, you make them go back. As soon as you go into negative, you press through. You would see a completely different Manchester United, straight away.”
Meulensteen’s lineup leaves Amad without a place, but it has to be said that it is a much stronger lineup than what fans have seen in recent weeks.
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