Owen Hargreaves was known as a vigorous and solid defensive midfielder who worked tirelessly to win the ball and maintain possession.
However, his time at Manchester United was laden with injuries and he was allowed to leave the club having completed his contract in June 2011.
Jose Mourinho has tried different formations since his switch from Chelsea to Manchester United, yet the team is yet to stabilize. Owen Hargreaves has thus suggested the use of a different one.
The former Manchester United player suggested Jose Mourinho should play a 4-3-1-2 formation if he is to reignite Manchester United’s season as the former coach, Sir Alex Ferguson did.
The Red Devils suffered their third successive defeat at Watford on Sunday 18th of September followed by three consecutive victories in all competitions before their unlucky 1-1 draw against Stoke City which landed them in the 8th position on the Premier League table.
The Portuguese tactician seemed uncertain over his team’s formation at the beginning of the season. The Old Trafford dwellers appeared to begin the campaign in a 4-3-3 system but that changed to 4-2-3-1 in the consequent matches, amid a growing clamour among supporters for Wayne Rooney to be withdrawn.
Hargreaves, a key player of United’s Premier League and Champions League double-winning side in 2007/08, claims he would retain Wayne Rooney while suggesting this 4-3-1-2 best XI formation, up front in a partnership with the Sweden international, Zlatan Ibrahimovic who joined them at Old Trafford this season.
He said Henrikh Mkhitaryan should be bought to reinforce United’s right wing, and also as a playmaker in front of a midfield three of Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba.
“The back four can then include Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw in front of David de Gea.” Hargreaves advised.