Manchester United kicked off the year 2022 with a 1–0 defeat against Wolves in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils, who started in Ralf Rangnick's preferred 4-2-2-2 formation on Monday, looked abysmal in the first 45 minutes of the game.
The things did not look better after the break following the German's decision to switch to three at the back as Joao Moutinho scored the winning goal for Wolves.
Man United's first-half formation vs Wolves, January 3, 2022
4-2-2-2: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Jones, Shaw; Matic, McTominay; Greenwood, Sancho; Cavani, Ronaldo.
Phil Jones replaced injured Harry Maguire in the only change from the starting XI against Burnley. The German decided to stick with traditional full-backs in Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, leaving attacking-minded Alex Telles and Diogo Dalot on the bench. However, the intensity on Monday was nowhere near.
Man United's second-half formation vs Wolves, January 3, 2022
3-2-1-2: De Gea; Varane, Jones, Shaw; Wan-Bissaka, Sancho; Matic, McTominay; Bruno; Cavani, Ronaldo.
Bruno Fernandes' second half substitution allowed Rangnick to switch a three-at-the back formation. Jadon Sancho remained adventurous on the left wing before being substituted for Marcus Rashford while Wan-Bissaka mostly stuck to his defensive duties. Nemanja Matic dropped deeper compared to Scott McTominay.
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