How Man Utd will line up under Julian Nagelsmann with wild new system and four players dropped

Manchester United could be set for some major changes if Julian Nagelsmann replaces Michael Carrick.

Following the embarrassing 4-1 defeat to Como in the Champions League, the questions surrounding Manchester United and Carrick's role as manager are louder than ever.

For many fans, it is a matter of when, not if, Carrick will get sacked, with recent reports suggesting that former Germany and Bayern Munich boss Nagelsmann is now among the favourites to take over at Old Trafford.

So, if Nagelsmann is to become United manager, what should we expect from his team? SPORTbible have broken down some big decisions the German could make if he were appointed, and that's not good news for some of United's biggest names.

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Julian Nagelsmann set to make major changes at Man United

It's no secret that any manager coming into the current United team will likely only do so under the guarantee that they can make major changes to the lineup to help revive their season.

For example, Antonio Conte, who is also among the favourites to replace Carrick if he is sacked, will almost certainly move to his beloved 3-4-3 formation should he be appointed.

But he's not the only potential Carrick replacement likely to have big ideas, as Nagelsmann's appointment could also see a change in formation to a lesser-seen narrow 4-2-2-2.

During his time at Bayern, Nagelsmann at times used Sadio Mane and Serge Gnabry ahead of Jamal Musiala and Thomas Muller in this formation, with the front four constantly exchanging positions.

Therefore, there's a precedent for the German manager to make some big changes to big clubs, and he's not afraid to drop some major players in order to do so.

At United, we can expect him to be exactly the same, with a series of new signings and the formation change potentially seeing as many as four of the club's big names dropped.

Senne Lammens has undoubtedly done enough to keep his spot in Nagelsmann's starting lineup, having been one of United's most important players since his arrival from Royal Antwerp for an initial €21m (£18.1m).

But directly in front of him is where we may see the first changes, with Lisandro Martinez given the uncertainty around his future following his recent explosive interview following the 2-0 Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid.

Replacing him is Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck, who has worked extensively with Nagelsmann with the German national team.

Schlotterbeck has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, with Liverpool long been considered the favourites, but United would no doubt stand a good chance of securing his signature should they trigger his reported release clause of €50-60m (£43.5m–£52.2m), said to apply exclusively to top European clubs.

Another German international that could join Schlotterbeck in reuniting with Nagelsmann is David Raum, an attacking left-back that would immediately slot into United's starting line-up ahead of either of Luke Shaw or Patrick Dorgu.

Completing United's defence would be Leny Yoro and Noussair Mazraoui, who keep their places in the squad.

The final new signing that could come under Nagelsmann is VfB Stuttgart midfielder Anegelo Stiller, another German international familiar with the potential new United boss.

Stiller is a deep playmaker with an impressive passing range that could help the new United link together by getting the ball from the centre-backs to get it forward to the attackers ahead of him.

Beside him, recent summer signing Carlos Baleba would provide the more aggressive ball-winning side of the midfield, with Kobbie Mainoo dropped.

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Manchester United could look completely different under Nagelsmann. (Image: Lineup Builder)

The remainder of United's midfield would be made up of Amad and Matheus Cunha, both of whom can provide a big attacking threat through the middle of the team, essentially meaning United have four attacking players on the pitch.

But this means that United captain Bruno Fernandes would miss out on a place in Nagelsmann's squad, something that would seem completely out of the question until recently.

For months, Fernandes' future has come into question, and given his recent bombshell interview calling out Carrick and the club's staff, it's hard to imagine the midfielder will still be with United when his contract ends in the summer.

Rounding out the rest of Nagelsmann's squad would be Bryan Mbeumo, who has been one of the few United players to impress in spells this season, alongside Benjamin Sesko, who is expected to return in the new year after suffering a setback with a shin injury.

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