The tactical landscape of the Premier League was very different when Manchester United dominated England's top-flight under Sir Alex Ferguson, with 4-4-2 widely regarded as the most effective formation in the playbook.
Roy Keane and Paul Scholes developed a reputation for their quality as a two-man pairing in the middle of the park. The two players were able to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses for years at Old Trafford.
Gradually, continental ideas began to shape English football. Pep Guardiola's Barcelona team in particular had a notable influence on conventional wisdom, with his favoured 4-3-3 system delivering a whole host of trophies at the Camp Nou.
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