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Manchester United's post January 2024 lineup to turn the corner

December 27, 2023

Struggling with multiple injuries in the first half of the season, Man Utd has failed to show any consistent form. This is the tactical setup that needs to be done once key players return.

Much has been made of Manchester United's poor start to the 2023/24 season. After encouraging signs in Erik ten Hag's first season, there was optimism at Old Trafford that this would be the season to push on. However, the squad has been struck down by long term injuries to key personnel, with up to 14 first team players out of action at one time. This has been a key factor in the team's inability to display any semblence of form, or for EtH to implement any cohesive tactical plan.

Image of Lisandro Martinez injured

By January 2024, key players Casemiro and Maguire should return, with others like Amad, Varane, Shaw and Wan-Bissaka alraedy available. Now is the time for EtH to utilize the full extent of his squad to consolidate for the second half of the season. But how should the team set up post January?

  • Mainoo surely has to be given a prolonged run in the side with Casemiro. Mainoo has the maturity and calmness to receive and play the simple pass to link midfield with attack. Casemiro is not a bad player overnight and he will benefit from Mainoo alongside him, and help Mainoo with his experience.

  • Shaw moving into the center in the attacking phase. This provides a solid base with Shaw, Mainoo, Lisandro and Maguire able to distribute from the back. Shaw can push up when Garnacho needs help, but Garnacho's tendency to stay very wide facilitates Shaw to come from the middle to outside if required.

  • Mount and Bruno were getting in each other's way. The solution is Mount in the middle which gives the side solidity, energy and positional discipline in the middle. We saw how McTominay in the middle restricted Liverpool at Anfield. The same applies here but Mount has a wider range of passing and goal scoring than Scott.

  • Bruno out on the right is rejected by many, but EtH can make it work. It's similar to Messi and Argentina who accept that he will never be sprinting to press, but his genius requires the proper set up. Bruno can drift inside to influence the play, with Dalot capable of overlapping to provide width. In the middle, the solid trio of Mount, Casemiro and Mainoo will cover for Bruno's positional indiscipline.

View the tactical setup we discussed here: Man Utd post Jan '24 lineup.

What do you think? Should Bruno be tried in a free role starting on the right?

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