Manchester United: Things to look for in the preseason tour

What formation will United run

Despite having two years at the belt at Old Trafford, Mourinho hasn’t found a concise game plan. His struggle to find a suitable role for Paul Pogba is the main problem. Whenever Pogba gels with the team, United looks invisible. When he looks lost on the field, United becomes ordinary.

Mourinho had hoped to complete his favorite “trivote” by adding Nemanja Matic last season, but he had trouble getting Ander Herrera in the mix. Both of them play in a more defensive role, leaving United’s right side dull and static considering Pogba’s preference to operate on the left. Mourinho tried to seek a more balanced midfield by pairing Pogba and Matic in a double pivot shape, which forced the former playing in a deeper role.

Pogba is at his best when he plays in an advanced role, and he has voiced his displeasure from being deprived of playing in his favorite position. To be fair, he also played in a double pivot shape in France’s World Cup campaign with N’Golo Kante acting as his partner. However, France’s more stable defensive line gave Pogba more freedom to roam forward, which he capitalized on with a goal in the final.

United getting Fred is a fantastic move as it gives United more flexibility. Fred is a quality ball carrier who also works hard defensively, which can give United a more balanced midfield while maintaining their defensive stability. With Fred, Mourinho can either go old school to his favorite “trivote” system or a double-pivot shape, which has been his preferred formation since his return to Chelsea in 2013.

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Mata and Herrera will be the regular starters on the tour. Mourinho can try to field a “trivote” with Mata pushed to the right side and Scott McTominay replacing Matic. A double pivot will see Herrera and McTominay play deepest in the midfield, with either Mata or Pereira splitting the attacking midfielder and right-wing position. It will be interesting to see how he is going to manage his midfield during the tour.