There are two formations that strike fear and dread into Manchester City fans if they appear on a teamsheet.
One is the double pivot, made infamous by botched experiments involving Fernandinho, Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri, when Pep Guardiola wants to protect his City defence against a top side. The reasoning has merits, but an extra holding midfielder often disrupts the attacking rhythm and has backfired on too many occasions.
The second is the dreaded back three, with high-profile defeats often coinciding with a half-hearted attempt to change formation and bring another centre-back in. Now, though, thanks to the World Cup, Guardiola may finally have the tools to make that particular tactic work.
