The team had a very different system under the previous manager and out-and-out wingers have been moved on. Many people associate United with out-and-out wingers and, obviously, you’re now playing a system that needs them. On the left, with Patrick [Chinazaekpere Dorgu] gone, you’ve got a guy who likes to drift inside there now so do you see that area, left wing, might be one that needs to be addressed in the summer, given who has gone out and given the shift now to 4-2-3-1?
“We’re always looking at the balance of the team and the squad, to give you the most flexibility. So it’s definitely something to look at, for sure. I think the way Matheus can play that, at times. Amad can do that, at times, he came on at West Ham and played off the left. There are different ways of doing it with the balance of the squad. We’ve got really good options across the frontline and can change things in games. We have done quite a lot actually, sometimes small things and sometimes bigger things. But Matheus, when he plays outside, one-v-one, is tough to stop.”
You had Luke [Shaw] going off, Noussair Mazraoui at left-back but he’s a right-footer. And a left-sided forward who cuts inside, so you could do with an overlapping full-back. I know you’ve inherited what you’ve inherited but I wonder if it’s something the club has to look at in the summer?
“Quite possibly, in certain ways, but, yeah, I think we can still be dangerous. We can still fill that spot. We’ve got players to be able to do it, so it’s not a huge concern at the moment. We always want to improve, we are always thinking about the perfect scenario of mixing players together, connections and who it suits on the pitch. But Matheus played that role and caused problems, and has had big moments playing wide or inside. He’s doing well as well.”
You say you don’t want to get carried away but, when you look at your record in charge, can you accept there’s a pretty good chance of you being here next season as head coach?
“It’s going to be every week, isn’t it? There’s no getting away from the situation, of course there’s not, and there’s not really an awful lot I can say about it, to be honest. I love being here, doing what I’m doing. I said from the start, I’m not making any decisions for short-term quick fixes. The responsibility, for however long I’m here, is to make decisions that are the best for the football club in the long term. Of course, listen: winning games helps and the boys are doing great with that. Let’s see where it ends up. There is not really much I can say or give you, on top of that, at the moment.”