Leeds United v Sheffield United: Coach Christiansen is considering toying with his 4-2-3-1 system
Berardi is one game into a three-match ban after his red card at Bristol City last weekend, a dismissal which seemed to open the door for Vurnon Anita to replace him at left-back, but Christiansen said he had considered a change of formation which “would probably not need a specific full-back”.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder employed a three-man defence on his way to the League One title last season and is keeping faith with the system to good effect this term.
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Hide AdThe Blades are third in the Championship with the division’s second-best defensive record.
Christiansen, in contrast, has maintained a four-man backline as part of a 4-2-3-1 set-up but the Leeds head coach has a number of players who could operate as wing-backs, including Luke Ayling, Gjanni Alioski and Stuart Dallas.
Dallas is back in contention tomorrow evening after missing the past two games following a family bereavement.
Christiansen also has four available centre-backs in Liam Cooper, Matthew Pennington, Pontus Jansson and Conor Shaughnessy.
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Hide AdThe United boss said: “First of all I have to see which system I take – if I change the system or don’t. If I change the system I will probably not need a specific full-back.”
Asked if he was hinting at a plan to play three at the back, Christiansen said: “Perhaps. They (Sheffield United) play with another system so I will see what I do. That could be a possibility. The players could be comfortable with that.”