5 Man United stars at risk if Luis Enrique gets job and picks favourite set-up
Spanish manager Luis Enrique has been linked with the Manchester United job on more than one occasion
Luis Enrique continues to be linked with Manchester United(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Until Manchester United make an official decision on their new permanent manager, some familiar names are likely to be in the mix. Luis Enrique was linked with an Old Trafford move in 2022, the same year in which United ended up appointing Erik ten Hag, while he has been in the headlines again of late to give the current squad food for thought. He is also the fourth favourite with the bookies.
The Spaniard has thrived at Paris Saint-Germain, leading the club to their first ever Champions League triumph last season. His current contract at the Parc des Princes is believed to run until 2027, though the club’s higher-ups are keen on keeping him around for longer.
It may be the case that Michael Carrick’s results as interim manager are enough to convince United chiefs to keep him on board on a permanent basis. However, if the club decides to look elsewhere, Luis Enrique’s past history could spell bad news for some players in the squad.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
In April 2023, shortly before the PSG boss took his current role, The Coaches’ Voice delved into Luis Enrique’s preferred formations and tactics. However, as we have seen in the last two-and-a-half years, he has shown a flexibility based on the players at his disposal.
The 55-year-old has generally favoured a 4-3-3 set-up for club and international sides, though he has also shown a willingness to operate with a back three when the situation calls for it. Here’s what that might mean for United’s current crop.
4-3-3 (Spain style)
At Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup with Spain, 4-3-3 was the favoured approach from Luis Enrique. However, the make-up of those sides wasn’t always the same. In Qatar, possession-focused Dani Olmo was used in a wide role for the memorable 7-0 victory over Costa Rica – a contrast to more direct players like Pablo Sarabia and Mikel Oyarzabal at the previous major tournament.
A return to the 2022 approach could see Bruno Fernandes move from midfield into a more attacking role off the left. Matheus Cunha’s skill-set also suits the system, though, and he might not want too much overhaul after Casemiro’s exit.
Based on the current players on United’s books, this approach might need a few new faces. Luis Enrique preferred some control at the back with Spain, using Rodri as a central defender during the 2022 World Cup. Such an approach appears to lend itself well to Lisandro Martinez, who is comfortable enough on the ball to have slotted in as a defensive midfielder in the past, while it could offer a route back in for Noussair Mazraoui ahead of Diogo Dalot at full-back, though the likes of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt might worry about their minutes in the middle.
While we’ve included Manuel Ugarte in this set-up, it’s worth noting the Uruguayan didn’t gel with the manager at Paris Saint-Germain. He may end up being given another chance, but it’s perhaps more likely that we see a new addition in the middle of the park.
Potential XI: Lammens; Mazraoui, Yoro, Martinez, Shaw; Ugarte, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Sesko, Cunha
4-3-3 (PSG style)
The 4-3-3 he uses with PSG has at times made use of a false nine system, with Ousmane Dembele thriving in the role during last season’s run to Champions League glory. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue occupied the wide roles in the final, leaving Inter Milan with no hope against the attacking threat.
One player whose role might be called into question is Benjamin Sesko, who fits the Alvaro Morata role used by Luis Enrique for Spain but whose closest analog in PSG’s squad – Goncalo Ramos – has largely been used as a substitute.
Luke Shaw is another who might struggle for regular minutes. Luis Enrique likes his full-backs to be high-energy players who get up and down the field at will – think back to those occasions when Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi have combined – so a 30-year-old with a patchy fitness record might not be someone he feels he could rely on.
This could well be a set-up that lends itself to Martinez stepping into midfield to offer some balance as the full-backs fly forward. Whet United might give for the 2022/23 version of Casemiro in this squad.
Potential XI: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Dorgu; Martinez, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Cunha, Amad
3-4-2-1
United’s players have plenty of experience with a back three thanks to Ruben Amorim, even if it wasn’t always successful. The Portuguese coach prioritised a new wing-back after taking charge in 2024, with Patrick Dorgu brought in, and the Dane might well be Luis Enrique’s preference to occupy the left wing-back role in which Nuno Mendes thrived at times in Ligue 1.
The manager has varied his attacking approach on those occasions he has gone three-at-the-back. Two genuinely attacking supporting forwards has been the order of the day, though, suggesting a front three of Cunha, Mbeumo and Sesko isn’t out of the question.
This approach was often taken against weaker opponents, allowing for a combination between Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes which Amorim didn’t consider workable in the Premier League. Based on Luis Enrique’s previous, it may be that this set-up is used a little less frequently (if at all).
Potential XI: Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Amad, Mainoo, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko
Who is at risk?
As we can see, there’s a fair amount of variability in the approaches Luis Enrique has taken in the past. The Premier League is different enough from both Ligue 1 and international football that – if installed – the manager would probably prefer to experiment during pre-season to get a feel for what works best.
Certain roles will no doubt be filled by new additions but there are players who might already look for an escape route if the Spaniard comes in. Ugarte’s reasons have already been documented, while De Ligt, Sesko, Shaw and Dalot could all sense their opportunities becoming limited depending on the new manager’s preferences – though one would imagine Sesko is the most likely of that group to get a proper chance to make his case after clear signs of improvement over the course of this season.
