Blomqvist: Wing-back Role Is Difficult

Jesper Blomqvist believes wing-back must be a very difficult position to play but is waiting to see if several of Manchester United's players can adapt to the new role.

Luke Shaw, Reece James, Ashley Young, Rafael, Jesse Lingard and Antonio Valencia have all been tried out wide in the 3-5-2 system and former winger Blomqvist appreciates the demands placed on them, despite never being asked to do likewise in his career. United started the defeat to Swansea City with Young and Lingard operating as wing-backs before switching formation after the break.

"I really think it's a hard position to play in," the Swede told ManUtd.com recently. "You have to cover a lot of space and, normally, can be up against two opponents in the winger and full-back.

"So it can be difficult but it can work if you get the right type of player, which United might already have, and I say 'might' because it could be a good system. In the World Cup, it was more and more prominent as a lot of teams played three central defensive players instead of the normal two. It was one of the things that stood out tactically from the World Cup overall, not just with Holland.

"I wonder if Young may be too much of an attacking player but he could learn to change his game. I think Valencia could do it as he has been playing in both positions [right-back and right-winger] and also Rafael could be a good one. I don't know too much about Shaw yet but four or five options will be needed because of injuries and competition for places as well. If you have that, I can definitely see it working."

Blomqvist also pledged his faith in Louis van Gaal to succeed as United boss after taking over in the summer.

"I think he is very experienced and, at this stage of United's era, they want somebody who has been through it all and done a lot," the Swede added. "He's experienced all kinds of football problems and knows what is working and what is not working. He can handle the pressure."