Lonnick: Three centre-backs are one of the options for changeovers United want to find the right balance between attack and defense

According to the official website of Manchester United, Manchester United acting manager Ronnick recently said that his team can play both three centre-backs and four-backs to defend, and said that in the future, it will seek greater flexibility in formation.

In the last round of the league, Manchester United lost 1-0 at home to Wolves, which was disappointing. Unhappy with the team's performance in the first half, at halftime, Ronnick changed the team's formation and moved Luke Shaw closer to the middle, so that the back line became a five-back instead of the opening four. In a joint interview with the club's media, the 63-year-old German, who has only been in office for a month, explained his thoughts on various possible formations.

"Well, I know, in England, most teams have their own system and will stick with it for a long time. However, there are also teams that switch from three backs to four backs, or from four backs to threes. Or, I'll give you an example, like What Bayern Munich is doing, or RB Leipzig, who was also coached by Nagelsmann last season, did: even if they play at four, they try to switch to an asymmetric three-back in this system, in the initial formation. ”

"I feel that for our team, we have two options. If we want to play at three backs, we need to make sure that most of the centre-backs in the team can play. I think the team has done that before under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, for example against Tottenham Hotspur, away to Atalanta and in the derby against Manchester City. I think we can also play three backs. It may also be an option for us, but as I said, it also depends on the players we have available, on the body and condition of the players at the time, and of course on the opponents we face in part. ”

United have also won a number of important games in the past in the three-centre-back game, but under the leadership of Ronnick, caretaker coach Carrick and previously Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Red Devils usually played as a four-back. Lonnick has mentioned several times recently the need to find the "right balance" between offense and defense. United have conceded fewer goals in the last six games, averaging 0.6 goals per game, but the new problem is that they sometimes have a hard time scoring goals up front.

Lonnick has proven himself to be flexible in formation, but at Manchester United he is still in the search for that balance. With no games this week, the team's training is progressing well pending FA Cup rivals Aston Villa.

(Felix Cat)