4-2-3-1 concern: Five Man United players who could lose out in the new system
Manchester United have once again torn up the tactical blueprint following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, ushering in yet another stylistic reset at Old Trafford.
Interim head coach Darren Fletcher has wasted little time reverting to a familiar 4-2-3-1 system during his first two matches in charge.
While the switch offers short-term stability, it also leaves several players facing an uncertain future in a rigid back-four setup.
We believe five individuals now find themselves walking a tactical tightrope.
Patrick Dorgu
Dorgu was brought to Old Trafford a year back to play as a left wing-back.
The Denmark international regularly found himself in promising attacking zones, but his final decision-making often let him down.
Defensively, his positioning and awareness were already areas of concern.
These flaws now risk being brutally exposed in a traditional left-back role.
He played in that position against Brighton & Hove Albion and was at fault for the second goal.
Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha is a natural competitor, playing with the edge, confidence, and swagger this United side badly needs.
However, shunting him out to the left wing blunts his influence and strips away his greatest strengths.
The Brazilian is at his most dangerous operating between the lines, yet that central zone remains firmly owned by the indispensable Bruno Fernandes.
Cunha has featured in both of Fletcher’s matches, deployed on either flank, but struggled to leave a meaningful imprint.
Ayden Heaven
A shift from a back three to a back four inevitably reduces opportunities for centre-backs.
Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are three senior defenders, and two of them will be at the heart of the defence when fully fit.
Despite enjoying an impressive run over the past five weeks, Ayden Heaven could now find consistent minutes hard to come by.
The same uncertainty hangs over Leny Yoro, who already sits behind Heaven in the current pecking order.
Mason Mount
Few players are more affected by the tactical U-turn than Mason Mount, who appeared tailor-made for the 3-4-2-1 system.
Hugging the touchline and stretching defensive lines is not Mount’s natural game, yet it is a core requirement for wide players in a back four.
That mismatch was evident against Brighton, where he struggled to offer any real threat from the right wing.
Despite a promising start to the 2025–26 campaign, Mount now risks slipping into a rotational role rather than being a guaranteed starter.
Amad Diallo
Diallo has been a revelation at right wing-back.
The downside of returning to a traditional system is that it leaves Diallo without a clear pathway into the starting XI.
Bryan Mbeumo is the undisputed first choice on the right wing, leaving Diallo likely limited to cameo appearances off the bench.
His only alternative route may be a move to the left flank, a position he remains far less comfortable in.
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .