Results may not reflect it, but the switch to a 4-3-3 formation has been a positive one for Manchester United.
There remain glaring problems, of course there does, the biggest of which being that United have now gone three games without a victory and even finishing in the top four is becoming tougher and tougher but there are some slight signs of improvement.
For the opening 45 minutes of United's last three games, they have played pretty well. They were up against a calibre of opposition where that should be the norm but against Middlesbrough and Burnley they absolutely dominated. Playing high-tempo, exciting football and created countless chances.
In both of those matches, Ralf Rangnick's side should have had the game won by the break but failed to take their opportunities and allowed their opponents back into the match. The side's continued frailty when met with any setback then ensured that wins were not forthcoming. But, those first-half displays were certainly promising.
The biggest beneficiary of the switch has been Jadon Sancho. Back into a formation, he's more accustomed to from his time at Borussia Dortmund, the winger has finally started to come to life over the last fortnight and is beginning to show why United spent so many years courting his signature.
Paul Pogba has also slotted back into the side seamlessly following his return from injury and has put in some decent displays as he looks to end his time at United on a high.
One of the major problems though, as is well-documented, remains in defensive midfield. Scott McTominay has done an admirable job in the role but it's clear he wants to burst forward from the shackles placed on him, with the discipline needed for the role not quite there, and he has often been swamped in the middle of the park.
A lack of options has meant that Rangnick has had to persevere with McTominay at the base of midfield but that could change for Tuesday's meeting with Brighton, which is United's final game in hand and a bit of a must-win in the race for a Champions League place.
Fred is now available again after he missed the last two matches and, any fitness concerns following his bout of Covid-19 aside, could come straight into the starting XI.
The Brazilian hasn't played alongside Pogba in the new formation yet and he might just be the missing piece to get it working even better.
Fred is much more defensively minded than McTominay, is a more robust tackler and has better tactical acumen which could really suit him to the role. Rangnick has missed his energy and tenacity in the middle of the park and Fred holding the fort while Fernandes and Pogba play further up the pitch could be the catalyst in a turnaround in results.
That's not to say Fred will be perfect in the position or that United don't need to sign one in the summer because they desperately do. But it might just be enough to stop the rot and get United back to winning ways again.
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