Coaches may find pre-season to be an odd time because it is the only time when results aren't as essential, with a greater focus on fitness, performances, and strategies in preparation for the new season.
The nature of pre-season and friendly matches provides coaches with an opportunity to try out new and unconventional ideas, which frequently involve positional changes for specific players or different formations for the team.
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Manchester United's pre-season began on Sunday with a 2-1 win over Derby County, but which players could be involved in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's tactical experimentation as the Premier League season approaches?
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is known for his defensive abilities; the United full-back has earned a reputation for being difficult to beat in one-on-one situations, as he consistently wins.
The United paid £50 million to Crystal Palace for the 23-year-old defender's services in 2019, but he isn't always the most successful when in possession around the final third.
Wan-Bissaka is improving, but if Solskjaer uses a back three formation, he may thrive as a wide centre-back. There would be less pressure on him to make major offensive contributions, and because of his full-back roots, he'd be at ease defending out wide.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes could be tested as a no.8 rather than a no.10 this summer, despite the fact that he has yet to report for pre-season training owing to his Euro 2020 heroics.
According to recent reports, Solskjaer is considering switching to a 4-3-3 formation at Old Trafford next season, which would see Fernandes drop from his no. 10 position and become more of a box-to-box central midfielder.
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The switch may be compared to Pep Guardiola's transformation of David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne into offensive no.8 sorts upon his arrival in Manchester.
Although the defensive emphasis placed on the shoulders of the team's holding midfielder in such a scenario could be too great, Paul Pogba could be fielded alongside Fernandes as the second no.8, which is a tantalizing prospect to explore.
Daniel James
Since his arrival from Swansea, Daniel James has proven to be a valuable addition to United's squad, with the Welshman often playing as a right-sided forward in Solskjaer's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.
His speed, in particular, can be difficult to defend against, but he's also shown a need to develop in key areas while offering a fast danger.
James, in particular, lacks an end product as an offensive player, which is justifiably seen as crucial at a good club like United; it is a characteristic that Bruno Fernandes, Javier Sancho, and Marcus Rashford possess in spades.
Because of his lack of goals and assists, Solskjaer may decide to shift him away from the final third while still giving him a chance to show what he can do.
He may benefit from the space on the flanks and one-on-one dribbling he'd be required to perform as a right-back, as well as crossing from wide areas, if he was utilized as a right-back.
Given Wan-defensive Bissaka's qualities, the transfer might not make sense against elite opponents, but when United is the dominant team looking for goals, James could pose an exciting danger as a right-back.
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