Manchester United’s top-four hopes are slowly fading, following Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat to relegation-threatened Everton. United lacked penetration in attack at Goodison Park, while Anthony Gordon’s opener came as the hosts cut through their defence too easily.
What’s more, United are currently undergoing something of a midfield injury crisis. Fred was the latest Red to suffer fitness woes when he was forced off with a hip problem in the first half at Everton.
Before the trip to Merseyside, Ralf Rangnick told the media that Scott McTominay would miss out, and Fred’s issue leaves Nemanja Matic as the club’s only recognised defensive midfielder available. On the bench against Everton, United had Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, and Hannibal as midfield options, but none of the four fit the same description as McTominay or Matic.
READ MORE: Ralf Rangnick has Manchester United selection dilemma in midfield
Even Fred is regarded more as a box-to-box midfielder than someone who can hold the fort. So United’s ongoing injury woes may see Rangnick alter his tactics in the hope of turning his team's fortunes for the season's run-in.
The German manager could return to a 4-3-3 formation with one midfield anchor, rather than the 4-2-3-1 United adopted against Everton. But, if Rangnick chooses to persevere with the same formation he deployed at Everton, one of his central midfield options will have to play slightly out of position.
Perhaps then, the German could revert to the 4-2-2-2 formation that he deployed during his first five Premier League matches in charge — when United only recorded one loss. That home defeat to fellow top-four challengers Wolves forced Rangnick to revert back to the arguably more balanced 4-2-3-1.
The 4-2-2-2 requires two defensive midfielders, which prompts the same issues as the 4-2-3-1, but in a 4-2-2-2 formation, the attacking midfielders occupy narrower positions than wingers, which would help stem any potential attacks through the heart of United’s team. This could open the door for the selection of a more expansive midfielder, such as Paul Pogba, for the match against Norwich on Saturday.
Given United's current struggles in front of goal — they have scored just one goal in the three fixtures since their 3-2 win over Tottenham in March — a reversion back to Rangnick’s initial preference could see the return of United’s goalscoring touch.
Edinson Cavani’s ongoing injury leaves Rangnick with just Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford as out-and-out striking options, and he could choose to deploy them together to arrest United’s alarming slide. Rashford, when on song, offers pace and forward running, whereas Ronaldo — who has 12 Premier League goals this season — remains a proven finisher and lethal in the air.
The Portuguese superstar cut a frustrated figure at Everton on Saturday after being starved of service, while Rashford showed glimpses of his quality as he tries desperately to recover his form. The attributes of the duo complement one another, and partnering the pair against the Canaries could be a beneficial decision for both players, and to help salvage something from United’s season.
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