Manchester United could unleash new formation with Darwin Nunez transfer

Erik ten Hag will be looking to make an instant impact at Manchester United this summer, and he could be helped by looking at how Ralf Rangnick's own reign started at Old Trafford.

United supporters will be hoping Ten Hag leaves a far greater legacy than his predecessor at the club, but there are certainly ideas and concepts tested by Rangnick which could play a key role in their future.

One of those changes could be to do with United's formation, and particularly how they might set-up if they manage to sign a new forward in the summer transfer window.

Rangnick recommended his former side sign two modern forwards in the off-season and it is understood Ten Hag agrees with that assessment, though they might only have the funds to sign one this summer.

Signing a player who can play both out wide and through the middle might make the most sense if only one can be recruited in the coming months, but perhaps the most exciting possibility is that of Benfica forward Darwin Nunez.

The 22-year-old has just enjoyed an incredible season in the Portuguese top-flight where he scored 34 goals in 41 appearances, including goals against Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Liverpool in the Champions League.

Ten Hag is also well aware of the Uruguayan's lethal ability in front of goal, given that it was Nunez who scored the decisive goal to dump his Ajax side out of Europe back in March.

With such a spectacular scoring record, Nunez could be the ideal player to ease the burden on Cristiano Ronaldo next season, and at such a young age, he could learn so much from the Portuguese and still have so many years ahead of him to help replace him once he leaves.

Not only could Nunez serve as the ideal understudy to Ronaldo for a year, but he could actually prove to be the perfect strike partner at times too.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rangnick explored the possibility of playing with two central strikers during their time at United, both overseeing wins with such an approach this season.

Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani started as a duo in the 3-0 thrashing of Tottenham last October and Rangnick tested a 4-2-2-2 formation as early as his first match in charge when Ronaldo was joined by Marcus Rashford in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

"For me, it was logical not to change too many positions or too many things after the win against Arsenal," Rangnick explained after his first match in charge. "Everyone was fully fit, nobody was injured, fully recovered, I started to play the same starting XI.

"For me, the question was how do we get pressure on the ball, how do we get control? So I decided to play 4-2-2-2 with two strikers, not Cristiano alone up front, together with Marcus, using pace for vertical balls... I'm a big fan of every player plays in his best possible position."

While playing with a two-pronged attack wouldn't be suitable in every match, there are certainly scenarios where having two lethal strikers on the pitch could make the difference for United next season.

Ten Hag might well arrive at Old Trafford with the vision of replicating his successful 4-3-3 approach, but it is important he has the flexibility at his disposal to switch things up when his side are desperate for a goal.

Nunez might not only be a long-term Ronaldo replacement but he could also be his short-term partner in crime.