Manchester United are looking to move on from their worst ever defensive season.
In the 2021/22 season United conceded 57 goals in the Premier League, and new boss Erik ten Hag is looking to rebuild United’s leaky defence.
The agreement and imminent announcement of Argentine centre back Lisandro Martínez is a big step in doing so.
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Not only is Martínez for the most part an excellent defender, but he is also one of the world’s best ball-playing centre halves and will help United better sustain pressure on teams, reducing chances of conceding and increasing the chance of dominating games.
Many are concerned about Martínez’s height, at just 1.75m he is extremely short for a centre back. Even with his strong record in aerial duels, this is a fair and natural concern.
It is still expected that he will start. Whether or not this is at centre back or in midfield, where he is also comfortable, remains to be seen. We at UtdDistrict look at what Manchester United’s best defensive setup is.
Option #1: Dalot, Varane, Martínez, Shaw
The full backs are a shoe-in here. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw are clearly United’s best full backs, and the most suited to Ten Hag’s possession-based style of football.
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Centre backs is where it gets more difficult to pick a best pairing, with United now having strong depth in that area.
Victor Lindelöf, despite his qualities, is definitely a backup here. Raphael Varane is United’s best defender, and should he curb his fitness issues of last season he must start.
Eric Bailly has been excellent so far in pre-season and an argument could be made that he should partner Varane right now, although a specialist ball player is probably required.
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So, despite Ten Hag standing behind Harry Maguire as he keeps the captaincy, right now the new man Lisandro Martínez is probably the best suited player to partner Varane.
Martínez would be responsible for a lot of the ball progression, but the four time Champions League winner Varane has good technical qualities, and has shown signs he can be more progressive on the ball against Liverpool.
This back four provides a good mix of physicality, intensity, defensive intelligence and quality in possession, and would be one of the best back lines in the league.
Option #2: Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw
Whilst more based on a hypothetical, should Harry Maguire return to his best form then the club captain should definitely be a starter at centre back.
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An excellent ball player, and at his best a strong defender with the aggressive mindset to suit Ten Hag’s defensive style, Maguire recovering his form should be in the best interests of every Manchester United fan.
Stylistically, him and Varane complement each other very well and Martínez’s ability to play in midfield means the new man would not be left out of the side here and would contribute in what is a weak area for United.
Option #3: Maguire, Varane, Martínez
Time for what some might call the hipster’s shout. Ok, jokes aside, whilst unlikely that Erik ten Hag will operate with a nominal back three, this could be an option to maximise United’s centre backs.
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The back three will give United greater natural width, which will open up more avenues of progression from the back. The two outside centre backs will naturally be positioned in the half spaces and can easily break lines through this vertical corridor of play.
Playing Varane in the middle of the three gives the two outside, more aggressive, centre back options a world-class insurance policy defensively, whilst also reducing demand upon Varane to be a high-volume ball progressor (but he will still need to contribute heavily).
Victor Lindelöf and Eric Bailly can naturally slot into this team as backups, with Shaw having operated as a centre back in a three before. Even Tyrell Malacia could probably cover there.
The wing backs are the same as the full backs from the previous two options, with both being given greater license to attack and contribute in possession in this setup.
The wide forwards Sancho and Rashford will be given slightly more attacking freedom and more opportunity to combine with their wing backs in this setup.
The main drawback would be having to drop Bruno Fernandes slightly deeper, unless United choose to go with a front two rather than a three. Christian Eriksen can comfortably play slightly deeper.
What United’s exact defensive setup will be, fans will see in the opening weeks of the season. Ten Hag will have a clear plan, and it will be interesting to see.
Regardless of what it is, expect lots of aggressive defending and a fun, expansive style when playing out from the back whoever is playing in what is likely to be a 4-2-3-1.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Football, Premier League, Harry Maguire, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly