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Three ways Manchester United could line-up with new signing Romelu Lukaku in their starting XI
In what may turn out to be one of the biggest transfers of the summer, Romelu Lukaku joined Manchester United from Everton officially on Monday, as announced on the club’s official .
The Belgian became a Red Devil for both club and country for an initial fee of £75 million, according to , and the expectation following his arrival will be extremely high. Lukaku not only has a huge fee hanging over his head, but the 24-year-old has to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was the club’s top scorer last season.
With Ibrahimovic in their side, Jose Mourinho lined his side up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but how will the Portuguese manager set up his players with Lukaku leading the line?
Sticking with the 4-2-3-1
It makes sense for United and Mourinho to continue using the same formation. All his players are becoming used to the set-up, while it also gives the Red Devils impressive balance.
With two holding midfielders, Mourinho’s side boast defensive stability while there is also enough attacking flair on show to break down their opposition.
With Lukaku leading the line, and Rooney having joined Everton, Juan Mata may finally be granted game time in his favoured position behind the striker.
The creative Spaniard has fared well out wide, setting up 44 chances last season, but without explosive pace, he has always suited a more central role.
With his fine passing ability, partnered with Lukaku’s goal-scoring talent, the duo could cause oppositions nightmares down the middle of the pitch next season.
Add the pace of Marcus Rashford and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the flanks, along with Paul Pogba’s deep-lying play making ability, United suddenly look very impressive going forward.
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Switching slightly to a 4-3-3
The Belgian could find himself playing in a slightly different set-up to the 4-2-3-1 next season, with a potential switch to 4-3-3 on the cards.
This formation may allow the partnership between Lukaku and Pogba to flourish. The pair look very comfortable with each other off the field and Mourinho will be hoping he can bring this bond on to the pitch.
United’s wide options remain similar, with Rashford and Martial capable on the left and Mkhitaryan, Jesse Lingard and Mata able to play on the right, but the change comes centrally.
Pogba may be gifted a free-roaming role in his favoured left central midfield position, while Michael Carrick provides a link between the defence and midfield. Then, the tenacious Ander Herrera can set about his work from a right central midfield role. The Spaniard can act as the perfect box-to-box midfielder to give this 4-3-3 balance.
Changing it up to a 4-4-2
Mourinho is expected to stick to what he knows, but, when he played a 4-4-2 against Chelsea last season, his side executed the tactic perfectly.
While Ander Herrera wouldn’t be given a man-marking job against smaller sides, Mourinho’s men still portrayed great discipline in the more traditional formation.
With two up front, Lukaku could partner Rashford in attack. The characteristics of each player suit one another, as the Belgian brings power, while the United academy graduate has pace and energy.
As Lukaku is a handful playing alone up front, partnering him with an energetic and explosive Rashford could leave opposition defences struggling and stretched next season.
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