Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently completed his takeover of the Red Devils, giving him full control of the football side. This takeover was made possible by Motta and his unique 2-7-2 formation. Motta counts his goalkeeper as a midfielder, and reads his team from left to right instead of bottom up, making it similar to a traditional 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
Motta explained that the attacker is the first defender and the goalkeeper is the first attacker, emphasizing the importance of the goalkeeper in starting the play. He believes this formation could be perfect for Andre Onana, who demonstrated his versatility by playing as a right-back in a recent game. The Red Devils have struggled with injuries this season, particularly in defense.
Motta is considering using Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo, and Bruno Fernandes in midfield, and may bring in a player like Zirkzee who is familiar with his tactical approach. These changes could mean less playing time for Marcus Rashford, as Alejandro Garnacho continues to impress and secure a prominent role in the squad.
