Ralf Rangnick altered Manchester United's formation to match that of Manchester City, and it worked to some extent in the first half of what was eventually a thumping.
During their thrashing at the Etihad, Manchester United used a false nine formation to try to equal City numbers in midfield.
Cristiano Ronaldo was absent for two games in January due to a hip flexor ailment, and Edinson Cavani declared himself unavailable again due to a groin condition, extending his absence to six games.
Rangnick chose to start Bruno Fernandes farther forward in a strikerless system, with Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho on the flanks and Paul Pogba higher up.
Pogba's presence in what seemed to be a front two paid dividends in the 22nd minute when he found Jadon Sancho to equalize. Pogba slumped in the second half, and Rangnick substituted Rashford and Jesse Lingard in the 64th minute, four minutes before Riyad Mahrez essentially killed the game to make it 3-1.
Rangnick refrained to criticize the fragile Cavani, who is set to leave in the summer but emphasized how limited United's offensive options would be without their two specialized attackers.
"We didn't have that many forwards available for the game today," Rangnick revealed, "and the decision for us did we start with Marcus or do we play a false nine like Bruno and have one extra midfielder on the pitch to make sure we win balls there and have enough players?"
It was obvious that they would always try to build numerical dominance in the center of the pitch, which is why I opted to use Bruno as a false nine.
We didn't have that many forwards available for today's game, Rangnick revealed, so the dilemma for us was whether to start with Marcus or to play a false nine like Bruno and have one extra midfielder on the pitch to ensure we win balls and have enough players.
It was obvious that they would always try to build numerical dominance in the center of the pitch, which is why I opted to use Bruno as a false nine.
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