There are few figures in football with quite the level of authority, self-assurance and calmness of Zinedine Zidane.
The Frenchman remarkably led Real Madrid to three successive Champions League titles during his first two-and-a-half season spell, while also winning two La Liga titles at the club.
Zidane – a majestic midfielder during his playing days – has been linked with the Manchester United with current incumbent Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under increasing pressure.
Zidane is currently out of work after leaving Madrid in the summer and given his track record of winning trophies, he would be a high-profile candidate for United if they part ways with Solskjaer.
We have taken a look at Zidane’s Real Madrid teams to see what sort of plans he could implement at United.
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United have been reasonably flexible in their tactical approach depending on the scope and size of the task.
The most common formation used under the Norwegian has been a 4-2-3-1, with a fluid three-man attacking system operating behind a central striker.
In recent weeks, that has been ditched for a 3-5-2 system – to enhance defensive solidity and make the side harder to break down.
Zinedine Zidane’s approach at Real Madrid was clear and consistent: 4-3-3.
The Frenchman would likely ditch three central defenders at United and would instead look to incorporate three central midfielders in each game with emphasis on the full-backs for width.
Zinedine Zidane’s second spell in charge of Los Blancos saw him transform the club into the most defensively solid side in La Liga.
Having shipped 46 goals in the 2018-19 campaign – in which the Frenchman returned only in the final months of the campaign – he saw a transformation in defensive numbers.
The following season, in which they won the league, Madrid conceded just 25 goals in the division and last term, let in only 28 strikes.
These were numbers comparable to the infamously defensively drilled Atletico Madrid, but from a team whose backline had previously been less strong in that marker.
Zidane also masterminded the 3-1 Champions League quarter-final aggregate win over Liverpool, which saw Los Blancos snuff out the Reds attacking threat.
Zidane’s most prominent selections were in his midfield with his trusted midfield trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.
These were the three players who ensured his side exerted control in games; not just in terms of possession and retaining the ball, but in maintaining team shape and discipline.
They were always expertly positioned to strike the right balance between protecting the back four and providing the three-man attack with sufficient ammunition.
The Frenchman’s emphasis on midfield was underlined by his lack of rotation in the position, which led to players such as Martin Odegaard eventually leaving the club over few first-team opportunities.
At Old Trafford, this would have implications for the likes of Fred, Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba, with the club said to be prioritising a move for a holding midfielder next summer.
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Zidane would certainly implement a similar tactical approach at Old Trafford, which would allow the 21-year-old to nail down his place in the side.
United’s 4-2-3-1 formation and 3-5-2 meant this precise place was not available in the system, although Mason Greenwood was preferred in the former approach.
Sancho would operate in the right-sided role of a three-man frontline and could have significant prominence.
Cristiano Ronaldo played a key role for Zidane’s Real Madrid teams, netting over 110 goals in their two-and-a-half campaigns together in the Spanish capital.
The Portuguese superstar was the central player in the three-man attack and was flanked by Karim Benzema and one of Gareth Bale or Marco Asensio.
Zidane knew how to get the best out of the all-time record Real Madrid scorer, with the pair winning three Champions League titles together.
SOURCE : Mirror
