Erik ten Hag has favoured 4-2-3-1 throughout his two years at Man United but could assemble a squad to switch to a back three set-up.
England's transition from a back four to a back three at the European Championship has been serene, seamless and also a tad fortuitous.
Immortality on Sunday would see his odds to become the next Manchester United manager shorten. Two allies occupy two of the most senior roles at Old Trafford and emulating Sir Alf Ramsey has been beyond 12 England managers spanning 58 years.READ MORE: Mainoo had two turning points before his United debut
Louis van Gaal has much to answer for. The Netherlands overachieved by finishing third at the 2014 World Cup with a rigid back three that was spearheaded by the devastating Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie. Van Gaal, once synonymous with style, favoured substance. The back three sequence ended in-game at Queens Park Rangers, where United fans chanted "Four-four-two!" They won 2-0.
In his absence, Ten Hag has hot-housed the Manchester born and United-bred Mainoo into a midfielder who could be mistaken for a Barcelona prodigy or a Pep Guardiola product. Mainoo has outperformed his fellow England midfielders who fetched nine-figure fees last summer. A defensive trio of Matthijs de Ligt, Jarrad Branthwaite and Lisandro Martinez would give United a solid and skilful foundation to shape-shift. Martinez has experience of playing in midfield - though is untried there for United - while Branthwaite and De Ligt are footballing defenders who ought to be at ease striding into the middle third.
Manchester United FC Kobbie Mainoo
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