Ralf Rangnick should strongly consider employing a back five formation for Manchester United’s clash against Manchester City on Sunday, according to Martin Keown.
The Red Devils will be looking to cement their place in fourth position in the table when they face their city rivals this weekend at the Etihad Stadium.
The last time the two sides met in the Manchester derby, Pep Guardiola’s side won 2-0 in a one-sided contest at Old Trafford.
Former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge at that point, although, the Norwegian did win four of his nine games against Guardiola.
Interim boss Rangnick has consistently used a back four formation during his spell at the club, but Arsenal legend Keown thinks a switch to a back five – with an emphasis on counter-attacking – could serve them better this weekend.
‘Pep Guardiola this week listed the five Premier League teams who dare to go head to head with Manchester City rather than sitting on the edge of their own box,’ Keown told the Daily Mail.
‘They are Liverpool, Brighton, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Leeds. Notably, he did not mention neighbours Manchester United, who had a respectable record against City under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, winning four of nine games against Guardiola.
‘Solskjaer regularly turned to a back five — three centre backs and two wing-backs — with a focus on breaking at pace to try to get the better of City.
‘With just 27.7 per cent possession in March 2020, United beat City with a low block. In November 2021, that same approach failed as Solskjaer lost his penultimate game as United manager with only 32.6 per cent possession.
‘Ralf Rangnick has now had a full week to prepare for this derby — a rarity in modern-day football — and it is a real
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