The first three games under Ralf Rangnick have given fans a taste of what he wants to bring to Old Trafford. The German deployed the same starting eleven in identical 1-0 victories against Crystal Palace and Norwich City. United also played a 1-1 draw in the Champions League to Young Boys with a much-revamped line-up.

Basic Style of Play:

In all 3 games, the 4-2-2-2 shape has been unmissable.

Off the ball, Manchester United have had a very clear plan in the first three games under Ralf Rangnick:

1. Play a high line of defence – Aggressive full-backs, and a compressed midfield.
2. Force the opposition centre-backs to play wide. Passes to full-back act as a trigger for pressing. Full-backs play much higher up, involved in pressing in the final third. McTominay and Fred cover the spaces left by the advancing full-backs.
3. Win the second ball.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford are players who have been criticized in the past for their defensive work rates. Ronaldo has made 21 pressures in the last 2 games, which is considerably higher than his average pressures per game in the last 365 days at 6.52. Rashford made 12.12 pressures per 90 minutes in the last 365 days. He has made 28 in the last 2 games.

Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho occupy the half spaces behind the centre-forwards, they function as semi-wingers, semi-midfielders. McTominay and Fred in the double pivot has, arguably, been the biggest revelation in the first three games under Rangnick. The double-pivot are allowed to express themselves more freely during an attack. Off the ball, a more proactive defensive approach from the front four also reduces their burden.

Maguire and Lindelof often step higher up to cover the spaces left behind by Telles and Dalot. Manchester United’s biggest problem in defence is their ability to close down the wings. The narrowness of the front 4 often means Dalot and Telles can be isolated on the counter.

The space behind the far side full-back also presents an option as an attacking outlet. This leaves the full-backs with an option:

1. Commit into the wide areas allowing a runner to play on the under-lap.
2. Maintain the defensive shape allowing the wingers to cross from the by-line.

On the ball, United’s structure is less clear. The basic issues can be broken down as:

1. Manchester United have a lot of players who are very good on the ball, but very few who make enough off the ball. This makes chance creation and penetration against a solid low block very difficult.
2. Lack of natural wingers. Bruno Fernandes and Jadon Sancho are players who thrive around the centre and half-spaces. This puts the onus on attacking down the wings entirely on the full-backs.

Manchester United do maintain a 4-2-2-2/4-2-4 shape in possession too. The front 4 have a lot of freedom to interchange positions between themselves. McTominay and Fred have the liberty to make supporting runs into the box as well.

Biggest Winners Under Rangnick:

Jadon Sancho: Sancho struggled to adjust to life under ole Gunnar Solskjaer. In the first three games under Rangnick, however, the ex-Borussia Dortmund winger has thrived. Rangnick has deployed Sancho on the right flank but allowed the Englishman freedom to roam and pick spaces to attack at his discretion. The German did mention that he had attempted to sign Sancho for RB Leipzig, and could play a crucial role in consolidating the English winger as a vital cog in the United set-up for years to come.

Fred: The performances of Fred in a United jersey and for the Selecao were always galaxies apart. As a restricted number 6 in a 4-2-3-1, Fred’s 1v1 defensive ability often came under scrutiny. Rangnick employed the Brazilian in a similar position in his first three games, but greater attacking freedom and a better structure have helped Fred control play efficiently from deep.

A more active front line also staggers opposition build up better. Because of this, Fred’s defensive workload involves a more proactive approach of winning loose balls and pressurizing opposition mids, rather than holding out deep to guard onrushing wingers.

Diogo Dalot: Dalot was another player who struggled for minutes under Solskjaer. Rangnick’s preference for attack-minded full-backs has given the Portuguese a fair chance, and he has taken it with both hands. The Portuguese right-back has looked solid in defence, and provided the Red Devils with a reliable outlet on the right-wing.

Biggest Losers Under Rangnick:

Aaron Wan-Bissaka: The English right-back seems to have completely lost his place in the starting eleven. The ex-Crystal Palace full-back’s lack of end product and technical ability on the ball has hurt his prospect of getting into the playing XI. Wan-Bissaka did start in the game against Young Boys but, the right back’s performance did not help him establish a case strong enough to consolidate himself into the starting lineup.

Nemanja Matic: Rangnick plays a very dynamic midfield with McTominay and Fred. Although Matic’s ability on the ball could be crucial to progressions, at 33 years of age, the Serbian does not provide enough mobility in the midfield and could be reduced to a minimal role.

Read More:

• Manchester United Targeting Three Players Earmarked by Ralf Rangnick to Solve Their Midfield Woes
• Portuguese Winger Linked With a Shock Move to United | Another Incompetency in Recruitment?
• Which of Manchester United’s Academy Graduates are Expected to Push for a First-team Spot Under Rangnick?

Players Who Could Get Into The XI:

Raphael Varane: Victor Lindelof and Harry Maguire have churned out solid performances so far. However, Raphael Varane’s recovery speed and awareness could be a massive advantage playing in a high line. Varane could replace Maguire in the starting XI if he overcomes his injury struggles.

Paul Pogba: The LAM role that Bruno Fernandes currently occupies is tailor-made for the Frenchman. Reports indicated that Rangnick could play a decisive role in determining the ex-Juventus man’s future at the club. And what could be a better way to do this than reinstituting the World Cup winner back into the playing eleven.

Mason Greenwood: The youngster made a good first impression with an acrobatic finish against Young Boys. Given Marcus Rashford’s struggles and Martial looking for a move away, Greenwood has a solid case to make for himself. The Englishman isn’t a classic centre-forward profile, but with effective structural adjustments, could be moulded to play the CF role.

Youssef Poulsen too wasn’t a classic number 9 profile when he joined RB Leipzig, but the German did utilize Poulsen in that role. It is not hard to imagine that Greenwood, just recently turned 20, can not adapt and improvise his game to suit the team style.

Follow AD to know more about Manchester United.