I think Ten Hag is stuck with 4231 or if he doesn't see any formation except it.
But in the last matches for Ajax. Without Antony i have seen Ten Hag went for 2 CF and 3 cm instead.
Links to his last matches for Ajax:
+ altomfotball.no: Ajax - Zwolle - Eredivisie - 31. runde, 30.04.2022
+ altomfotball.no: AZ - Ajax - Eredivisie - 32. runde, 08.05.2022 With Haller and Brobbery as CFs and Tadic as a nr.10
+ altomfotball.no: Ajax - Heerenveen - Eredivisie - 33. runde, 11.05.2022
+ altomfotball.no: Vitesse - Ajax - Eredivisie - 34. runde, 15.05.2022
With United against West Ham. I saw Bruno start and was most of the time as RW or RM you are calling.
And against Aston Villa Rashford was starting as RW.
Now, United have Martial back to give more options upfront. But without naturally wingers available like Antony and Sancho. I think to get the most out of not getting natural wingers availble. United would be a better attacking team with 4312 than a 4231 formation.
Because simply Bruno doesn't have speed to beat or pass defenders. The only thing Bruno is doing as RM is passing and crossing. So again withouth natural wingers 4312 with suit United a lot better. Like this:
Eriksen/McTom - Casemiro - Fred/DVB + Bruno/Eriksen/DVB + Martial - Rashford/Ronaldo/Garnacho. That is the line up without Antony and Sancho.
But of course. If natural wingers are available and in really good form. 4231 is will suit United really good too. But against West Ham and Aston Villa.
Special against Villa. The line up could be like this:
Eriksen/McTom - Casemiro - Fred + Eriksen/DVB + Ronaldo - Rashford. Not only CFs suit better, but you get 1 more player in the central midfield area.
So againt i have seen Ten Hag had used 4312 with Ajax. And i hope he is not stuck on 4231. Because without natural wingers and play 4231. I think you are limiting your team ability some how. If not much, it will reduce you some.
And in the end. The negative i think with 4231 is. It's more difficult to press with 4231. Than with 2 flat CFs. The one CF push and press the opponent defend against the other CF. Instead of a free CAM/nr.10 behind the central CF.
Just try 4312 in the league cup. Lesser risk decision and to test it out. Just try with 2 CFs upfront and 3 cm midfield. I am 100 % convinced it will suit United a lot better than 4231 without Sancho and Antony.
But in the last matches for Ajax. Without Antony i have seen Ten Hag went for 2 CF and 3 cm instead.
Links to his last matches for Ajax:
+ altomfotball.no: Ajax - Zwolle - Eredivisie - 31. runde, 30.04.2022
+ altomfotball.no: AZ - Ajax - Eredivisie - 32. runde, 08.05.2022 With Haller and Brobbery as CFs and Tadic as a nr.10
+ altomfotball.no: Ajax - Heerenveen - Eredivisie - 33. runde, 11.05.2022
+ altomfotball.no: Vitesse - Ajax - Eredivisie - 34. runde, 15.05.2022
With United against West Ham. I saw Bruno start and was most of the time as RW or RM you are calling.
And against Aston Villa Rashford was starting as RW.
Now, United have Martial back to give more options upfront. But without naturally wingers available like Antony and Sancho. I think to get the most out of not getting natural wingers availble. United would be a better attacking team with 4312 than a 4231 formation.
Because simply Bruno doesn't have speed to beat or pass defenders. The only thing Bruno is doing as RM is passing and crossing. So again withouth natural wingers 4312 with suit United a lot better. Like this:
Eriksen/McTom - Casemiro - Fred/DVB + Bruno/Eriksen/DVB + Martial - Rashford/Ronaldo/Garnacho. That is the line up without Antony and Sancho.
But of course. If natural wingers are available and in really good form. 4231 is will suit United really good too. But against West Ham and Aston Villa.
Special against Villa. The line up could be like this:
Eriksen/McTom - Casemiro - Fred + Eriksen/DVB + Ronaldo - Rashford. Not only CFs suit better, but you get 1 more player in the central midfield area.
So againt i have seen Ten Hag had used 4312 with Ajax. And i hope he is not stuck on 4231. Because without natural wingers and play 4231. I think you are limiting your team ability some how. If not much, it will reduce you some.
And in the end. The negative i think with 4231 is. It's more difficult to press with 4231. Than with 2 flat CFs. The one CF push and press the opponent defend against the other CF. Instead of a free CAM/nr.10 behind the central CF.
Just try 4312 in the league cup. Lesser risk decision and to test it out. Just try with 2 CFs upfront and 3 cm midfield. I am 100 % convinced it will suit United a lot better than 4231 without Sancho and Antony.