Man Utd: 7 Tactical Alterations LVG Should Consider

7. Stick With 4-2-3-1 But Play Mata

With Louis Van Gaal reintroducing the 4-2-3-1 formation to United in the past couple of games, it would make sense to play one of the best number tens in the Premier League. It is easily forgotten, but Juan Mata was voted Chelsea€™s player of the season back in 2012/13 playing under Rafa Benitez in that number ten position. He achieved an incredible 58 assists in 135 appearances for the club before his transfer to United in January 2014. But at both clubs he has been subjected to being dropped to the bench or being shifted into an unfavoured wide-right position. It is no exaggeration to suggest that he is as good in the position as David Silva but his main issue, at least according to Jose Mourinho, was that he didn€™t contribute enough defensively. With appropriate players selected in other positions however, any defensive qualities that the Spaniard lacks can be addressed. With Louis Van Gaal suggesting he is on the hunt for a creative midfielder, it seems silly that a player of Mata€™s ability is often left to bench warm. When he has played as an advanced playmaker he€™s usually been playing behind two strikers in either a 3-5-2 or 4-1-3-2 system and the issue with this is the space he likes to operate is congested with multiple attacking players and he is required to do more work defensively due to the inclusion of two strikers. Playing him in his favoured position, just behind a single striker is worth a shot.