Video : Man Utd's different XI if Ralf Rangnick replaces Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and uses 4-2-2-2

 

Manchester United may move for Ralf Rangnick 

if they’re forced into pulling the trigger on Ole Gunnar 

turbulent Old Trafford reign. The 63-year-old is 

currently working at Lokomotiv Moscow in Russia. 

But Express Sport will now take a look at how the

 Red Devils could line up under the veteran 

in his favoured 4-2-2-2 formation.

Goalkeeper: De Gea

At the end of last season, it looked like David 

De Gea was on the wane.

The Spain international toiled during the Europa

 League final defeat to Villarreal, failing to save

 a single penalty in the shootout and missing 

his own effort from 12 yards.

However, De Gea has bounced back this term.

His mistake against Manchester City on Saturday

 aside, the 31-year-old has started to resemble 

the goalkeeper he was during Jose Mourinho’s 

time at the helm.

And though Dean Henderson is waiting in the

 wings, there’s very little chance of De Gea 

being dropped on current form.

Defence: Wan-Bissaka, Varane, 

Maguire, Shaw

Though Harry Maguire is United’s costliest 

centre-back of all time, he’s endured a tough 

campaign so far.

And if Rangnick comes in, he may choose 

to drop the England international to the bench -

 something Solskjaer has flatly refused to do so far.

Therefore, when everybody’s fit, Victor Lindelof 

and Raphael Varane could be partners at centre-back.

Both are better on the ball than Maguire and, 

with Rangnick likely to want results to improve 

right away, their partnership could be the way to go.

And though Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw

 have struggled in recent weeks, it’s feasible 

they’d keep their places in the team.

Midfield: Fernandes, Fred

With Rangnick liking to play with two midfielders, 

two wingers and two forwards, it’s time to get 

creative.

And one option for the German, in order to 

use his favoured system, could be to deploy 

Bruno Fernandes further back.

Playing him alongside Fred would ensure the

 Red Devils have style and solidarity in the 

middle of the park.

Fernandes did play as a No 8 for Sporting 

Lisbon at times, before being moved into a 

more advanced role.

And it’s an experiment United should certainly 

consider as they look to turn things around.

Man Utd duo Jadon Sancho and Mason Greenwood may benefit from Ralf Rangnick appointment (Image: GETTY)

Forwards/wingers: Sancho, Ronaldo, 

Greenwood, Rashford

By playing two in the middle, it would enable 

United to go with as many as four forwards.

So, given Rangnick’s reputation as somebody

 who gives young players a chance, Jadon Sancho

 and Mason Greenwood could benefit.

Sancho may be deployed on the right, with 

Sancho on the left.

And Greenwood would then partner up with 

Cristiano Ronaldo up top, who has scored nine 

goals this season.

Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial, therefore, 

may have to settle for a place on the bench.