4-4-2 versus 4-2-3-1

We have previously discussed on the fact that no top team plays a traditional 4-4-2 today and that the current version of the 4-4-2 played by, say Manchester United, is not especially different from a 4-2-3-1. Zonal Marking, in his review of Napoli v Man City, strikes the same note:

Of course, when you play with two attack-minded wide players plus one striker dropping off into the hole, 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 are, if not interchangeable, not significantly different.