Here it was a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-1-1 shape with Fernandes as a 10 behind Mbeumo. Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu were both willing to get back, because they have played as wing-backs and have done that defensive role before. That meant United were sometimes a back six when they had to be - but even then Diallo and Dorgu still knew they were wingers when their team had the ball. Everyone knew their jobs, with Fernandes dropping in and helping Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro, who were screening the back four nicely. On a basic level, United's shape and what their players were asked to do, meant they defended in numbers and then, when they got the chance - bang, they flew forward.

Source: BBC January 26, 2026 00:17 UTC