Zinedine Zidane: How Manchester United could line-up if former Real Madrid boss replaces Jose Mourinho

Zinedine Zidane: How Manchester United could line-up if former Real Madrid boss replaces Jose Mourinho
Even before Manchester United decided to sack Jose Mourinho,Zinedine Zidane was being heavily linked with the job at Old Trafford.Now, following the club’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool, which has left them even further behind in the Premier League, Mourinho has been relieved of his duties.It is understoodZidane would love the chance to test himself at Old Trafford and earlier in the season, it was even believed he had been building a shortlist of players to sign.6

Zidane is being heavily linked with the United job

Zidane left Real Madrid in the summer after leading them to three consecutive Champions League triumphs, but has been out of work since.Edinson Cavani, the Paris Saint-Germain forward, as well as midfielders Toni Kroos of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara, and James Rodriguez – who is currently on loan at Bayern from Zidane’s former side Real, were all linked with following the Frenchman to his new job.Signing all four players would require a serious financial outlay on United’s part, but the club could agree to such a big spend to please a new manager. But how would Zidane combine these four signings into United’s current squad to field a starting XI able to challenge at the highest level?At the Bernabeu, Zidane showed incredible flexibility when it came to tactical systems, utilising one, two and three forward formations at various times throughout his tenure.However, he did have a favoured approach of four defenders, four midfielders and two forwards, either lining up in a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-1-2.The former system often saw Lucas Vazquez and Marco Asensio selected in the wide positions, though they played more like inside-forwards than classic wingers, while the latter system had Isco in the number 10 role, taking on the majority of Real’s attacking duties.6

Zidane’s 4-4-2 was more like a 4-2-2-2 with wingers who looked to move narrow as well as to the touchline

If appointed United boss, it is expected Zidane would implement one of these two systems at Old Trafford. He would need a two-striker system to find space for both transfer target Cavani and United’s current forward Romelu Lukaku, while the midfield would have to include all of Kroos, Thiago and James Rodriguez – the trio on Zidane’s shortlist.6The 4-3-1-2 (above) seems to be the best fit for Zidane’s targets, as it would allow him to fit all three midfielders in, whilst also retaining Nemanja Matic in the holding role. For all the excellence of Real Madrid’s ball-playing midfielders, Brazil international Casemiro has been one of their most important players over the last few years in the role of destroyer. His incredible ability to break up play reduces the amount of defensive work his team-mates need to complete, thus allowing them to focus on the thing they should focus on – getting the ball forward.6

Casemiro’s ability to break up play has made the Brazil international one of Real’s most valuable players

As there is no real width in the midfield or attacking zones, there is a lot of pressure on the full-backs to stretch play in the final third, and Luke Shaw, the left-back, looks perfect for this role having started the season so well. Antonio Valencia would be an option, though so too would Diogo Dalot, with Mourinho claiming United have a full-back for the next 10 years in the young Portuguese.Alternatively, Zidane could utilise the 4-4-2 (below) – though this would be a much more risky approach.6The key benefit of this system is the inclusion of another attacking player (Alexis Sanchez) to take the pressure to create play off the shoulders of the number 10 in the 4-3-1-2. You still have the number 10 (James Rodriguez), but he plays a more withdrawn role and finally has support in the final third.However, the huge negative is just how isolated the two-man midfield would find themselves, especially without a designated destroyer selected in the starting line-up. Matic is far too slow to play in a two-man midfield, but Zidane evidently does not think a new defensive midfielder is a priority given his shortlist of targets.The above line-up, featuring Zidane’s targets, would have the manager putting a remarkable amount of faith in Kroos and Thiago to never cheaply concede possession. If they were to lose the ball in the midfield zone, United’s opponents would have acres of space to run into as they launched an attack on David de Gea’s goal.6

A double-pivot of Kroos and Thiago (above) is sure to be overrun

The main absentee from both of Zidane’s potential line-ups is Paul Pogba, and his decision to target three midfielders suggests Zidane has no desire to keep Pogba around. It is believed Pogba’s time at the club is also limited, with Juventus and Barcelona linked with the World Cup winner this season.The 4-3-1-2 appears to be the more suitable formation for Zidane to implement if chosen to replace Mourinho at Old Trafford, but it looks as if United would still be far away from winning the Premier League title – even if the club sign the four players Zidane is targeting above all others.

---

Sunderland transfer news: Bordeaux target Josh Maja will not play for the club again, confirms chief executive Posted on January 24, 2019 January 24, 2019 Author fellaixxo Josh Maja has played his last game for Sunderland, chief executive Stewart Donald has confirmed.
Sunderland AFC news and transfers RECAP - Grant Leadbitter

---

Keith Hill has been sacked as manager of Rochdale, the League One club have confirmed. Hill was in his second spell in charge at Spotland, taking over again in 2013 having previously managed the
Keith Hill: Rochdale sack manager after six years in charge

---

City back on track as United stay top. 38. 20. Four killed in blast at Ahmadi refinery Tabtabaei demands oil minister's resignation Paul Cox said he did not see the ferris wheel before his
11 Nov by Kuwait Times - Issuu

---

Bengaluru, April 29: Borussia Monchengladbach's Thorgan Hazard has confirmed that he has reached a personal agreement with rival Borussia Dortmund ahead of a move to Signal Iduna Park although the clubs are still in negotiations over a transfer fee.
Thorgan Hazard transfer update amid Arsenal Liverpool links

---

Ajax director Edwin van dar Sar has all-but confirmed Matthijs de Ligt's exit this summer - and expects the defender to end up in England or Spain. Manchester United and Barcelona are both known admirers of the 19-year-old.
Transfer news: Manchester United and Barcelona target

---

Everton's Andre Gomes has been charged with violent conduct after his tackle on Aleksandar Mitrovic during Saturday's Premier League defeat at Fulham, the Football Association has announced.
Everton midfielder Andre Gomes charged by FA after 'stamp' on
sportsalert.org/2019/04/15/everton-midfielder-andre-gomes-charged-by-fa-after-stamp-on-aleksandar-mitrovic/
CHARGED Gomes appeared to stamp on Mitrovic in stoppage time in an incident which was not seen by referee Lee Probert Everton's Andre Gomes has been charged with violent conduct after his tackle on Aleksandar Mitrovic during Saturday's Premier League defeat at Fulham, the Football Association has announced.
Everton's Andre Gomes charged with violent conduct for

---

The January transfer window is almost upon us. And The Hard Tackle takes a look at three players that are most likely to leave Manchester United in the upcoming window. The 2018-19 season has been
Manchester United set for summer clear-out in transfer window

---

In the Premier League, all of Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham have also been named as suitors of the twice-capped international. Brugge, for their part, though, aware that a bidding war could
~ Transfer news and football gossip: Manchester United want

---

A lot of radical changes were expected from Unai Emery in his first season at Arsenal. Bringing about a Carl Jenkinson renaissance was not one of them. There has always been a healthy dose of irony to the veneration of Jenkinson, an acknowledgement from Arsenal fans that he is far from the greatest player they have ever seen.
Confirmed Team News: Arsenal vs Bournemouth lineups
sports-usa.net/2019/02/27/confirmed-team-news-arsenal-vs-bournemouth-lineups/
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) February 27, 2019. Mesut Ozil comes back into the Arsenal starting lineup for this evening's game against Bournemouth. There is a rare appearance at right-back for Carl Jenkinson, who makes his first Premier League start for the Gunners for 830 days.
AFC Bournemouth - Premier League - First Team - arsenal.com

---

Transfer news and football gossip: Kylian Mbappe hints at PSG exit, Alexis Sanchez's desperate bid to leave Manchester United, City identify Vincent Kompany replacement talkSPORT.com rounds up all the latest transfer news and football gossip from Monday's papers and online… Kylian Mbappe has put Europe's top clubs on red
Mbappe hints at PSG exit with talk of 'new - newsr.in

---

Cesc Fabregas has backed Eden Hazard to "win everything" at Real Madrid, with a move from Chelsea reportedly set to be completed.. The Belgium international has been one of the star performers
Cesc Fabregas Admits Eden Hazard 'Likes' Real Madrid But

---

Manchester United target Jadon Sancho drops latest transfer hint. Man Utd are interested in a move to sign England international Jadon Sancho in the summer transfer window but it looks like bad news.
Manchester United transfer news: Jadon Sancho being targeted

---

Feb 14, 2019 · Neil Warnock, the Cardiff City manager, and his chief executive Ken Choo will attend Emiliano Sala's funeral in Argentina on Saturday. The 28-year-old had signed for Cardiff in a club-record £15
Ken Choo and Neil Warnock attend funeral of Emiliano Sala

---

'I must have been depressed' - Discarded footballer warns of mental health epidemic among failed players Wednesday, 17 April 2019 ( 3 weeks ago ) Five years ago, George Humber was on the brink of breaking into the first-team and realising his dream of becoming a professional footballer.
Liverpool set to name Sean O'Driscoll as new Assistant

---