Rojo has been given a Man Utd lifeline under Solskjaer's new formation

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The decision to hand Marcos Rojo a new bumper deal in March of last year remains one of the most peculiar by Manchester United in recent years.

While the Argentine defender remains a favourite among fans for his passionate displays on the pitch, not even his most avid supporter could have argued that he was deserving of a new deal at United.



Another encouraging display against FK Partizan on Thursday night built upon the foundations which had been laid against Liverpool last weekend, as Rojo played the full 90 minutes of an impressive away clean sheet in the Europa League.



United now remain unbeaten in 14 Europa League matches and they have kept 10 clean sheets during this run, never conceding more than once in a game - Rojo has played in nine of those, missing another three through injury.

Rojo was set to leave United in the summer, viewed as surplus to requirements as Solskjaer looked to trim the fat on a squad which was over indulgent in haphazard central defensive options.



A move to Everton looked to be on the cards in the summer window but the transfer broke down as it neared a possible completion.

Although the clock might be ticking on the Argentine's future at the club, a key change has been made which could give the passionate defender a fresh lease of life.



United's rejuvenated week which has seen them hold Liverpool and beat Partizan was in large parts down to the new formation which has been adopted amid their ongoing injury crisis.

By switching to three at the back United have reinforced their steady defensive line and in doing so provided Rojo with an opportunity to showcase his talents in perhaps his best-suited role.



The former Estudiantes defender does not have the discipline required to operate in a two-man defensive for United, nor does he have the talents to adequately play as a makeshift left-back.

However, he looks rejuvenated playing on the left side of a three-man defence and has grown in confidence now that he has the support of two fellow senior centre backs behind him.



Even in the testing conditions of Partizan in midweek Rojo managed to outshine the performances of Harry Maguire and Phil Jones with a mature performance in which he played a pivotal role in keeping a crucial clean sheet.



While the days are gone of thinking Rojo could be a long-term solution for United, in their new set-up he certainly has a valuable role still to play. Not many fans would have complained had the Argentine left in the summer window, but there might now be a case to keep him as the winter window draws nearer.