Four ways Manchester United can line-up with Eduardo Camavinga

Manchester United’s interest in Renne midfielder Eduardo Camavinga is just the tip of the iceberg. Despite a viable interest from England, there are several complications as the player has his priorities set in staying in France.

RMC’s Mohamed Bouhafsi says that Manchester United will soon set a meeting with Eduardo Camavinga’s camp to convince him to join the Old Trafford club, but a potential interest from Paris Saint-Germain remains a hindrance in the process.

Now, before understanding where Manchester United would fit the 18-year-old, it is important to know why the Red Devils are interested in signing him in the first place.

Manchester United’s pursuit of a defensive midfielder

All English Premier League

It is known that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keen on adding a defensive midfielder as he wants Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes to have enough room to operate on the offensive front.

But Eduardo Camavinga isn’t really a defensive midfielder per se. His versatility, however, is something that makes him an attractive entity.

So can he be trusted with defensive duties?

Well, let’s get some figures out. last season, four of his 41 appearances in all competitions came as a defensive midfielder and the 18-year-old showed promise.

He averaged 2.8 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per game. The figure is much superior to that of Scott McTominay’s who averaged just 1.6 tackles per game. Albeit the Scottish played 30 games as a defensive midfielder.

What makes Camavinga a glaring presence in midfield is his 6ft tall frame, which he uses to guard the ball. He is an excellent passer too as is evident with his passing accuracy of 89% in Ligue 1 last season.

There are a tad bit of issues with his tackling as he averaged 1.6 fouls in Ligue 1 and 2.8 fouls in the Champions League, but that is something that can be improved on.

He is not the kind of player that would assist week in week out, but rest assured that he loves to dictate the game from the middle and works tirelessly to win the ball. And that can be a blessing for Manchester United.

How can Manchester United line-up with Eduardo Camavinga?

There are four formations Manchester United could deploy if they were to acquire the services of Eduardo Camavinga.

Formation 1: 4-1-4-1

While Camavinga is used to playing in a two-man midfield, a 4-1-4-1 approach can be a good option against the teams that sit deep.

The 18-year-old can be the only pivot, with Pogba and Fernandes operating from the centre. Considering that United have signed Jadon Sancho, the 21-year-old will acquire the right wing and Rashford can take the left.

Now Solskjaer will have two options to choose from for a striker in Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani.

Formation 2: 4-3-3

A three-man midfield might actually churn the best out of Camavinga. With the likes of Pogba and Fernandes available around him in a 4-3-3 approach, the 18-year-old will have less pressure of being the only one guarding the back four, unlike the first formation.

Here, both Pogba and Fernandes can wreck damaged from the middle, while the likes of Rashford and Sancho can stretch the play at times.

This will help United create space as the opposition might draw themselves to the pace of the wingers, or they might rush to cover the creativity of Pogba and Fernandes.

Man United will be stacked in the midfield, provided they keep all players beyond the summer and add some fresh talent.

Formation 3: 4-2-3-1

This remains the most viable option for United as Camavinga has been playing in a two-man midfield since he was 16.

Lining alongside his countryman Paul Pogba in the middle, this approach will aid United in being versatile whenever they are on or off the ball.

More from Manchester United

• Arsenal transfer news: Mikel Arteta rivals Manchester United for wonderkid
• Manchester United: Erik ten Hag pinpoints 4 players amid Brighton loss
• Manchester United predicted lineup vs Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League 2023/24
• 3 reasons why other clubs are ‘annoyed’ by Erik ten Hag and Manchester United
• Manchester United: Erik ten Hag’s constant “crybaby” excuses don’t add up

While on offence, they can move to a 4-1-4-1 formation, allowing Pogba to get forward. But if playing against a better attacking side, Pogba can stay back and the team can operate with two pivots.

Formation 4: 3-5-2

Once again a multifaceted approach, United have indeed shown how threatening they can be with a three-man defence.

The 18-year-old, on his part, excels in his formation too as one can remember from his Man of the Match performance against PSG in August 2019. Eduardo Camavinga, then 16, ran tirelessly as Rennes finely beat PSG 2-1.

On that very night, he ended with a passing accuracy of 98% and assisted the winning goal. Camavinga’s tireless shifts made an experienced midfield of Marco Verratti and Marquinhos look like laymen, as the Parisians could only muster two shots on target.

In a 3-5-2 formation, all of Pogba, Fernandes and Camavinga can take the centre spot, and Solskjaer will then have to choose between Rashford, Cavani and Greenwood for the two striking positions.