Rangnick CANNOT start Rashford in 4-2-2-2 formation claims Paul Parker

12/11/2021

Man United boss Ralf Rangnick CANNOT start Marcus Rashford in 4-2-2-2 formation, claims former Old Trafford hero Paul Parker – who insists Mason Greenwood should be handed a run

Manchester United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in boss Ralf Rangnick’s first game
The interim boss deployed a 4-2-2-2 formation with Marcus Rashford up front
But Paul Parker believes the German cannot continue to start the forward
The ex-United defender insisted Mason Greenwood should be handed a start

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick cannot continue to play Marcus Rashford in his favoured 4-2-2-2 formation, according to former Red Devil Paul Parker.

The German took over at Old Trafford as interim manager following the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The 63-year-old will manage the club until the end of the season and has yet to taste defeat in the United dugout.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick (L) cannot continue to start Marcus Rashford (R) claims Paul Parker

In his first game in charge, the Red Devils beat Crystal Palace 1-0 as the United boss opted to line up in a 4-2-2-2 formation, with Rashford partnering Cristiano Ronaldo up front and Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes in behind.

But Rangnick made a wholesale of changes for Wednesday’s Champions League group game against Young Boys with Mason Greenwood, Anthony Elanga, Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard all starting as passage to the knockout stages was already secured.

Greenwood struck early but his acrobatic effort was cancelled out by Fabian Rieder’s goal as United were held to a 1-1 draw.

Rashford started alongside Cristiano Ronaldo in 4-2-2-2 formation in win over Crystal Palace

Former United defender Parker believes Rangnick must drop Rashford if he deploys the same formation for their trip to Norwich on Saturday and hand Greenwood a start following the youngster’s blistering form.

‘If he wants to play his system, he can’t continue to pick Marcus Rashford, either,’ Parker told Eurosport.

‘I think he has got to look at Mason Greenwood more – he is someone who can play wide and centrally.

‘Greenwood needs a run of games otherwise he will start getting disillusioned.

‘He’ll be asking himself: “Why can’t I get in the team after Marcus Rashford’s recent performances?”.’

Mason Greenwood (bottom left) opened the scoring against Young Boys with an acrobatic shot

Parker also called for a host of transfers to be made in January insisting the club needed to rid themselves of dead wood.

‘There have to be changes in January. There is still too much dead wood there,’ Parker added.

Ex-United defender Paul Parker called for changes to be made at the club in January

‘The middle of midfield is still a problem. As much as you can change the style, if you make it too attacking, the midfield is still going to be an issue, unless they can improve drastically.

‘You haven’t got the resources in midfield that are able to play that way. Fred is the likeliest – he is more dynamic. Ball retention is key. I think he will also be looking at his full-backs and his front line heading into January.

‘At right-back, Diogo Dalot has done alright. He is capable and better in the final third than Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and able to get more crosses in to the box. I still believe he is going to want to improve that position, if not this season then next season, certainly.

‘It is no different at left-back. Alex Telles has got a run of games due to Luke Shaw’s injury and I think he has done well. I would be very surprised if Telles doesn’t play against Norwich, even with Shaw back in training.’

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