4-2-3-1: How Manchester United could lineup with arrival of £35m-rated star

Manchester United are reportedly deemed front-runners to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal this month, with Manchester City reluctant to come close to the Gunners’ £35m valuation. The Chile international has just five months left on his Emirates contract, and it appears that the north London club would fancy selling him to United in a straight-cash or part-exchange deal before the end of the month.

Here is how United could line-up with the Chilean…

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Lineup:

David de Gea has been the undisputed first-choice for the shot-stopper’s role, and his job has been splendid this term, keeping 12 clean sheets in the Premier League. He is widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the world, and talks are already underway to commit him to a new deal.

At right-back, Antonio Valencia is another undisputed choice, and he could be partnered by Luke Shaw on the other side of the central defence. Ashley Young has impressed in the left-back spot this term, but in the long-term, Shaw could be the player, Mourinho could go-to after returning to the Premier League mix.

In central defence, Phil Jones is a certainty to start as he is probably the best defender in the position, and he could be partnered by Marcos Rojo, who has maintained his consistency whenever offered an extended run in the starting lineup.

Onto the midfield, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic are certainties to feature with the latter having been a revelation since his switch from Chelsea in the summer. Matic has controlled the game with his interception capabilities from the centre of the park, and his presence has allowed Pogba to push forward, and link-up with his fellow forwards.

In the attack, Alexis Sanchez will probably command the left-wing role, a position which he has preferred to play for most of his professional career. The Chilean likes to cut inside and find space to find the perfect cross for the main striker.

Elsewhere, Jesse Lingard could feature in the number 10 position, where he has provided several match-winning performances this term whilst Anthony Martial could be switched to the right side of the attack from his preferred left-wing position to facilitate Sanchez’s arrival.

Romelu Lukaku has led the line with success this campaign, and he is no doubt the club’s first-choice centre-forward with Mourinho previously suggesting that his position is ‘untouchable’. The Belgian has 16 goals to his name this term.