Erik ten Hag considering two formations for FA Cup final as Man Utd star forces rethink

Ten Hag changed his system for the final two games of the season (Picture: Getty)

Erik ten Hag has a dilemma over his tactical plans for Manchester United’s FA Cup final showdown with Manchester City.

A woeful Premier League campaign for United came to an end on Sunday, sat in eighth place and a staggering 31 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side, who clinched their fourth successive title on the final day.

That campaign did end on a positive note, however, beating Newcastle United 3-2 in their final home game of the season last Wednesday before Sundays’ 2-0 win over Brighton at the AMEX Stadium.

It was the first time United have won back-to-back league games since mid-February, with ten Hag tweaking his tactics in both those games.

Having stuck rigidly to a 4-2-3-1 formation for much of the campaign, the Dutchman switched to a 4-2-2-2 system against Newcastle and Brighton with Bruno Fernandes taking up a false nine role having returned from injury.

It meant Rasmus Hojlund was dropped from the starting XI, but the Dane emerged from the bench in both those games to score late on, taking his tally to the season to 16.

Ten Hag trialled a similar, striker-less system away to Man City in the league with Fernandes again playing in the most advanced role with Marcus Rashford opening the scoring that day before the visitors succumbed to a 3-1 defeat.  

Hojlund came off the bench to score for a second game in a row on Sunday (Picture: Getty)

But Hojlund’s return to form could see ten Hag opt for his regular formtion for the trip to Wembley on Saturday.

‘It is not a dilemma, it is a luxury problem,’ ten Hag said.

‘I think both formations can be a success because, as you know, we can play like the set-up at the Etihad [with Bruno Fernandes as a ‘false nine’], where we were a threat with the movement in behind.

‘With Rasmus Hojlund in behind and his form, it is absolutely a consideration what we have to consider and have to take.

‘Let’s have a thought but let’s not say we only need 11 players. In a tough final, you need a bench as well.’

United hope to have a number of players available again for the final, particularly in defence where ten Hag has been desperately short of options all season. Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof returned to training last week with hope Harry Maguire will be available this weekend.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.