Gareth Bale’s apparent openness to an exit from Real Madrid has surely piqued the interest of long-term suitors Manchester United.
The 28-year-old’s transfer fee and wages will be huge, especially with the January addition of – struggling – Chile superstar Alexis Sanchez in mind.
But manager Jose Mourinho is sure to see this as an exciting problem to solve.
Here, we run through three different way the Premier League runners-up could line-up with the two-goal Champions League final hero in situ using their current squad.
3-5-2
Mourinho has not been adverse to utilising a three-man defence since he came to power in 2016.
The accommodation of Sanchez would be a real tactical issue, but the rest of the XI looks exciting.
Bale made 12 appearances through the middle for Madrid in last season’s 4-4-2/4-3-1-2 formation utilised by Zinedine Zidane, scoring five times in either the Champions League or La Liga.
This could make him an easy fit alongside Belgium target man Romelu Lukaku at Old Trafford.
France’s Paul Pogba and Serbia’s Nemanja Matic are obvious picks in the middie. The decision comes with how to play Sanchez.
If you want to stick with dedicated wing-backs in Ecuador’s Antonio Valencia and England’s Ashley Young, Spanish centre midfielder Ander Herrera is the odd man out.
Suitability: 7/10
4-3-3
After flitting between 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3, Mourinho appeared to settle on the latter system at the back end of the campaign.
On paper, this looks like the most apt way to utilise United’s current resources.
Bale would be placed on the right flank and Sanchez on the left, allowing both inverted wingers to cut inside to shoot on their favoured feet – Mourinho will hope to devastating effect.
This is exemplified by the fact the former-mentioned Wales forward scored six times in seven Champions League or La Liga matches in 2017/18 when picked in this fashion.
An added benefit is the fact Pogba can be given free reign from his favoured spot on the left of centre midfield. With Bale, Lukaku and Sanchez to aim for, the ex-Juventus man would hope to improve on his tally of 10 Premier League assists in 2017/18.
Against stronger opposition, Herrera would be the obvious man to add some defensive support from midfield. When goals are required, England link man Jesse Lingard would increase the side’s attacking threat.
Suitability: 9/10
4-2-3-1
Pogba won’t be happy, but this looks like an electric United team.
Under another Portuguese in Andre Villas-Boas during 2012/13, Bale grew into a superstar using this formation.
This system saw the Wales forward regularly move away from his original left-wing role and into the middle. A return of 26 goals in 44 matches during that season points to its effectiveness.
With current United personnel in mind, Bale would be flanked by Lingard on the right and Sanchez on the left. This trio would be tasked with feeding Lukaku as the sole No9.
The obvious downside to this system is the fact Pogba’s reported frustration at Old Trafford stems from being asked to play deeper alongside defensive midfielder Matic.
With such a top-heavy attack, the former holder of the world-record transfer fee could be in for more lean times.
Suitability: 6/10
