Manchester United Fan View: Jose's back three/five plan B is very effective away from home

Following Manchester United’s 4-1 win over CSKA Moscow in Russia, manager Jose Mourinho may consider using the back three or back five system more often as the opposition had no clue on whether to press the visitors high up the pitch or to compete with a defensive low block.

Given the long-term injuries of Marcos Rojo, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Red Devils instantly miss the presence of the trio who became the part of a key core that won the EFL Cup and Europa League last season. Although the results for the side look top notch so far this campaign, Mourinho’s men are yet to face a big team.

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When it comes to a system where three centre-backs are used, United supporters would straightaway argue for it to be abandoned, mainly down to the fact that former boss Louis Van Gaal did not have the right individuals for the team to flourish within the formation. Also, the Dutchman persisted on playing the players out of position which did not help at all.

However, the arrivals of Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic over the summer gives Manchester United and Mourinho a much more complete squad to utilise around on a weekly basis. This will be realised soon or later, when the Red Devils have a busy schedule ahead themselves, which is normally from now till the end of December.

As the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have become very familiar with the back-five system over the last 12 months, could Mourinho use this formation for when plan A is not going doing so well?

Starting from the back, the goalkeeper will certainly be none other than David De Gea, who continues to be Mourinho’s first-choice in goal for the Premier League and Champions League fixtures. When all the defenders are available, the three centre-backs would be mainly be: Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Lindelof. All three players can read the game very well and have already shown their composure on and off the ball in recent months.

If one of the trio were to be injured or suspended, then Daley Blind should be given the thumbs up to start ahead of Chris Smalling, who does not seem to be very convincing against a dangerous attack. Also, Blind has played in a back-five before for Ajax and Netherlands, and has the perfect passing ability to bring United forward whilst Smalling lacks the right intelligence when he is on the ball.

Meanwhile in the wing-back positions, they should certainly be taken by Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young, who have both started their careers out as wide wingers but have adapted to their new roles since the days under Van Gaal. Despite the fact that Luke Shaw is yet to get going into his own stride, Young’s accurate crossing from the left flank is the reason to why Marouane Fellaini has been on the score sheet so much this season, and is why the former Watford and Aston Villa man should be used more often in the starting XI.

In the centre of pitch, Matic would more or less continue his holding role for United, which he has completed at the highest level since his move to Old Trafford was official. Pogba would be the obvious individual to partner Matic at the heart of midfield, but for the time being, given that the Frenchman is injured, Ander Herrera should be used for the big games away from home while Fellaini should be selected against the teams that are purely physical and play within a low block system.

Focusing on the front three now, Romelu Lukaku would definitely carry on his role of playing as the lone striker as he’s bagged seven league goals in seven appearances so far this season. Anthony Martial should be selected over Marcus Rashford for the inside-left position as his movement and pace on the counter-attack will be much needed as shown in recent games in all competitions.

The inside-right area is a tricky one to choose from between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata, but the former has to be mentioned when it comes to games away from home as there is that extra space in the final third to roam into. Then again, the latter has showed his consistency and hard work in attack, however that has been more at Old Trafford than elsewhere.