Predicting Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United line-up for Crystal Palace?
By Varun Aithal
After parting ways with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United have appointed Ralf Rangnick as the interim manager to see the rest of the season out. Additionally, a two-year consultancy role has been added to his deal.
In his first-ever Manchester United press conference, the German left fans in awe with his stern talk and notable knowledge of the team and the game of football as a whole.
Ralf Rangnick was critical of the players’ display against Arsenal and in pointing out the deficiencies, he said:
"I want to bring more balance and more control. Yesterday’s game, for me as the future coach, they are not the games you need. I will try and bring these outstanding, talented players away from their own goal.want to bring more balance and more control. Yesterday’s game, for me as the future coach, they are not the games you need. I will try and bring these outstanding, talented players away from their own goal.(Via: manutd.com)"
From the above statements, the manager wants the club to score more goals and concede less. Also, Ralf Rangnick touched on playing the game in the opposition half more regularly. This has caught the attention of fans. The fans are on their toes to see how the club will line up against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
How can Ralf Rangnick line up Manchester United in his first game?
Taking everything of the past into account, it would be easy to note that he prefers playing an attacking brand of football.
His favored formations are 4-2-2-2 and 4-3-3. Also, the German dislike square passes and backward passes; this type of football would transform the midfield as well as the leaky defense, indefinitely.
Assuming that he will set up the team in his usual 4-2-2-2 with a “target man” approach, here is how the Manchester United team could look against Crystal Palace.
Goalkeeper
The German might keep David de Gea between the sticks but the player will be on the firing line as Ralf Rangnick does not believe in building from the back.
The shot-stopper will have to work on his long-ball deliveries if he wants to stay the first choice. However, David de Gea has a 40.8% accuracy with his long-ball passing compared to Dean Henderson’s 26.42%.
Defense
The 4-2-2-2 formation needs two attacking fullbacks with two compact central defenders who can play high-line football. To facilitate that, Rangnick will prefer Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane (when fit) as the central defenders.
With Raphael Varane yet to recover, Victor Lindelof will be the obvious choice. Comparing Aaron Wan Bissaka and Luke Shaw to Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles, the latter two are more effective with crosses and attacking runs. However, Luke Shaw will have time to prove himself after a breakthrough season in 2020/21.
Midfield
Here is where the German will have a crucial decision to make: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick preferred the duo of Fred and Scott McTominay in the pivot, but we can expect Rangnick to take a different route.
The manager needs someone who can play heavy-metal football, who doesn’t buckle too much under pressure, especially in high-pressure situations. We can certainly expect Fred and Donny van de Beek to take center stage in the pivot.
Bruno Fernandes will have to move to the interior left position with Jadon Sancho on the opposite flank. We know both players for their intense pressing and ability to win the ball back. They will form the attacking quadruple with the fullbacks during the transition from defense to attack.
Attackers/Forwards
With Old fashioned strikers becoming extinct and Mason Greenwood not fitting the bill, it will leave Ralf Rangnick with Cristiano Ronaldo or Edinson Cavani to take up the “target-man” role.
The other striker position can be occupied by Marcus Rashford, who can bamboozle the opposition with his pace and striking ability.
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Preferred Playing XI: David de Gea, Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Alex Telles, Donny van de Beek, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Cristiano Ronaldo
What are your thoughts on the line-up? Have your say below!