Listening to Ralf Rangnick dissect the tactical traits of football in 2021 after Manchester United’s win at Brentford it was easy to find yourself nodding along.
“I think most of the top teams in Europe and in England play in a 4-3-3," Rangnick said after United had got a poor first-half out of their systems in the capital.
It's not exactly the most insightful moment from a Rangnick press conference so far, but for its simplicity it takes some beating. Some sides are finding success with a back three and Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte look wedded to that set-up at Chelsea and Tottenham, but the two dominant England sides in recent years have rewritten the record books in a version of a 4-3-3.
