How Borussia Dortmund could fit Erling Haaland into star-studded team as Manchester United prepare Jadon Sancho bid

Borussia Dortmund are slowly but surely creating one of the most devastating attacks in Europe, but Manchester United could well be about to ruin the fun.

Erling Haaland had plundered goals for fun at Red Bull Salzburg, but the 19-year-old striker will wear the famous black and yellow once the transfer window opens next month.

Rumours from England suggested Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in pole position to bring the striker to United before Dortmund swooped, having worked with the player before during his time at Molde.

However, super-agent Mino Raiola has since quashed these rumours in an interview which lays the blame firmly back at the feet of United.

But, not to be deterred, the Red Devils may now look to snap up another talented starlet – from the very same club who just beat them to the signing of Haaland.

According to Marca, United want to sign Jadon Sancho for £100m as they continue to rebuild and rejuvenate their ageing squad under Solskjaer.

Although that transfer may have to wait until the summer, the thought of losing Sancho is unlikely to dampen the spirits too much in the north-west of Germany.

Haaland was coveted so greatly by Europe’s biggest clubs because of his natural ability and scope for development.

Lucien Favre is one of the most technically flexible in the Bundesliga and he has a number of different methods of setting his team up.

Paco Alcacer started last season on absolute fire, finishing as the second top scorer in the division. But his paltry return of five this season has meant Favre has often deployed Mario Goetze in a false nine role alongside Sancho and Thorgan Hazard.

The introduction of Haaland in the team gives Dortmund a focal point from which to play off and give their creative players space and freedom to be at their devastating best.

Below are three ways BVB could line up with Haaland now in the side but without Sancho.

Option 1: 4-2-3-1

A personal favourite of Favre’s, the inverted wingers allow for overlapping full-backs to gallop into space and cut back to either onrushing midfielders or the winger on the far side tucking round.

The base of the midfield is supplemented by a double pivot in midfield in Julian Weigl and Julian Brandt, who are both capable and mobile enough to cover the full-backs if they get caught too far up field.

Captain Marco Reus is currently injured, although he would slip seamlessly back into the No.10 role in this formation.

Haaland would be provided with service from whoever plays in behind him, while Jacob Larsen has the pedigree and talent to be a real threat on the wings.

Option 2: 4-3-3

A slight variation on the above formation, 4-3-3 simply gives Dortmund more flexibility in their transitions.

Switching from defence into attack is something Favre’s team were synonymous with and would suit Haaland as it means he can remain central to the attack.

With Weigl sitting deepest and dictating play, Goetze and Brandt can get forward more freely and act as the supply lines from midfield.

And with Larsen and Hazard once again linking with the target man, the full backs can get around the outside and look to provide into the box.

Option 3: 4-4-1-1

The deeper midfield pairing in this formation is something Favre used to great effect at both Hertha Berlin and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Opposing sides struggled to break down his Monchengladbach team in particular durIng the 2014/15 season as he used the 4-4-2 to great effect as his low block frustrated teams to stop them playing between the lines and operating in space.

With Hazard and Nico Schulz on the wings also sitting deeper, Dortmund would be able to operate in a more classic system to draw teams in and counter attack using their devastating pace.

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