“It’s quite an interesting bunch” - Gary Neville says Manchester United could line up in unusual formation this season
Manchester United icon Gary Neville has spoken about the club potentially lining up in a rather odd formation this season. For the former player and now pundit, an unusual formation would provide manager Erik ten Hag with the best chance of performing well.
Neville discussed the Red Devils ahead of the Premier League season, speaking about their tactics on the Stick to Football podcast. He revealed how they could potentially work with four central midfielders to enhance their presence in the middle of the park during games.
Neville said (via The Sun):
"I was thinking they've got an interesting collection of midfield players with Mount, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, McTominay. It's quite an interesting bunch."
"I can't think of a team that has played four central midfielders but towards the end of last season, those two City performances that we've seen, bookending the end of last season and this one, they've all sort of played in the game and they've narrowed the midfield."
If Manchester United opted for a formation with four central midfielders, it could limit how many wingers play in the starting lineup. While Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher disagreed with Neville on this, the former Manchester United man doubled down, using Juventus as an example:
"There was a Juventus team that played with four central midfield players with Pogba and Marchisio playing that narrow [style]."
It is uncertain how Erik ten Hag will decide to line his squad up this season, but the Old Trafford faithful will demand results, following a poor eighth-place finish last season.
Former Manchester United player pushes club to sign Juventus winger
With the Premier League season about to start off, Manchester United have been urged to sign Juventus winger Federico Chiesa. The winger is said to be available for less than £20 million, which will not take much from the Red Devils' coffers.
The fee is said to be low due to his sub-par performances and injury concerns over recent years. However, former Red Devil Louis Saha believes Chiesa can exceed expectations at Old Trafford, saying (via Manchester Evening News):
"Manchester United should go and sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus. I love him as a player, he is so passionate and will cause plenty of trouble for the opposition whether he is at the top of his game or not.
"[Chiesa] always tries to upset the opposition and he would be a great target for United. [United] have creative players, but none that can match what he can do."
Time will tell if the Red Devils do spring up a move for Chiesa, as they have been busy in the transfer market. They have already signed Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, and Leny Yoro ahead of the new season.