Since replacing Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, David Moyes has sought to seek familiarity. He brought his own backroom team in, re-signed former player Marouane Fellaini, and even continues to stick with the 4-4-2 formation largely used during his Everton days. And while those tactics paid dividends at Goodison Park, with the Toffee's looking attacking and lively, at Old Trafford, they've made the Red Devils look static and immobile. The 4-4-2 formation is archaic, to the point that England manager Roy Hodgson was criticized by Gary Lineker for taking the side "back to the dark ages" with his preference of two lines of four. And in a way, Lineker was right, because since the Three Lions adopted the 4-3-3, they've looked far more adventurous and have started winning games again. United could also benefit from a change to their system, particularly as they appear to have a total lack of width and attacking impetus this season. Playing Michael Carrick and Marouane Fellaini in the two holding roles for example simply isn't working, with neither player keen to go past the halfway line on most occasions or even pass forward. Then there are other strange tactical decisions, such as sticking with ineffectual players and not making the right substitutions, which we will get too shortly.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
