The former ex-Chelsea boss is without a job now and has hinted of assuming the managerial position at Old Trafford if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is sacked.
Although that might not happen this week as United has given a green light for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to oversee the next Premier League fixture against Tottenham hotspurs it remains a wait-and-see for the future of Man United as a club with Solskjaer.
But given Manchester United this coming month the chances of his survival will not go beyond the next UEFA Champions League fixture against Atalanta.
And so if Ole Gunnar is sacked the favorite on the candidate list is Antonio Conte. How could his Man United team line up? what formation could he employ in his dugout?
Manchester United is also afraid of hiring Conte a short-term manager. Manchester United wants a long-term manager who will also be key to their youth development.
Antonio Conte is ready to accept united offer; Photo Credit – Daily Express
In his previous managerial jobs, Conte has not lasted more than two seasons. but that aside let’s look at likely formation if Conte is hired at Old Trafford.
What is certain is that Conte will deploy a three-man defense. This has been the system he has used in defense ever since he quickly scrapped a 4-2-4 formation just a couple of games into his first season at Juventus in 2011-12.
In the last decade, Conte has almost always utilized a back three so it is safe to say this will be the case at Man United.
Harry Maguire and Raphael Varane will start, likely with the Englishman in the left center-back role he has starred in for his country and with the Frenchman at the heart of the defense.
The right center-back role is more up for grabs, but don’t be surprised if Conte uses Aaron Wan-Bissaka in this position. Conte has regularly used full-backs as a lateral center-back in the past because it allows the back three to turn into a four during different phases if required.
In goal, Conte will go for experience with David de Gea.
Further forward on the pitch, much will depend on whether Conte uses the 3-5-2 system he deployed with Juventus, Italy, and Inter or the 3-4-3 he selected with Chelsea. It will surely be one of these formations at Man United.
Either way, Conte likes wing-backs in his wide midfield roles. Luke Shaw is the obvious option on the left, although Conte will demand that the Englishman works hard or he will not hesitate to drop him.
The right-wing back role is an interesting one. If Wan-Bissaka is used at center-back, this could open up the door for Diogo Dalot, a player who tactically could fit in with Conte.
The most important part of the wing-back’s job under Conte is non-stop running up and down the flank and being tactically smart.
One should also not rule out a winger like Marcus Rashford or Jadon Sancho being moved into a wing-back role under Conte.
It may seem unlikely and perhaps it wouldn’t work, but Conte has done this successfully with wingers in the past such as Victor Moses, Ivan Perisic, and Emanuele Giaccherini.
At center midfield, everything will depend on whether Conte plays a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.
If it is a 3-5-2, then Pogba will certainly feature as the left central midfielder. Just like he did under Conte at Juventus.
Bruno Fernandes could play in the role Christian Eriksen was in at Inter in what would admittedly be an attacking center midfield. But it is a configuration that could work with a more defensive midfielder alongside them like Fred or Scott McTominay.
Either way, Conte would likely ask for a new deep-lying central midfielder in the next transfer window.
If Pogba and Bruno together is too attacking, Conte could bring back Donny van de Beek from the cold to act as a goalscoring box-to-box midfielder.
If Conte goes with a 3-4-3, then it seems that only one of Pogba and Bruno can play in the same team. This is unless Pogba is pushed out to left midfield at the expense of Shaw, which is probably unlikely given the Frenchman’s lack of work rate.
As for the attack, once again it all depends on whether Conte selects a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.
If it is a 3-5-2, then that spells bad news for Sancho who is surely unable to play as an attacker in a front two.
Conte’s 3-4-3 at Man Utd; Photo Credit – Football tactics and formations
Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood all do their best work as wide attackers so, like Sancho, would much prefer a 3-4-3 but this trio would be given a chance to prove themselves in a front two.
Martial is a player Conte has wanted in the past so could have an advantage over the rest.
The biggest question mark is over Ronaldo’s future, regardless of whether it is a 3-5-2 or 3-4-3.
Conte demands his attackers work hard, run and press from the front. Ronaldo is statistically the worst presser in the Premier League among forwards and this could be a problem with Conte’s system
Do not be surprised if Ronaldo is not part of Conte’s plans or is used as more of a substitute.
Edinson Cavani fits perfectly into Conte’s tactics, the big question mark with him is whether at the age of 34 and has played little this season, he can still perform at the very highest level. If he can, then he could be an important part of Conte’s team.
Either way, it is very possible Conte goes into the market for a center forward who can be a focal point of the attack in the same way that Romelu Lukaku was for Inter, Diego Costa was for Chelsea and Graziano Pelle was for Italy.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login