Whatever the formation, I sometimes feel that withholding 20% of the salary should be down to keeping a clean sheet and another 20% to scoring more than once
Best XI now?
- Thread starter MyBloodIsRed
- Start date
This is disaster waiting to happen.
Always remember in a 3 man defence all 3 are predominantly Central Defenders. Solid no nonsense defenders. You cant have AWB there.
Plus 3 man defence is almost always accompanied by 2 more full backs. Shaw on left is ok but Sancho on right? Nope.
De Gea
AWB Lindelöf Varane Shaw
Fred Pogba
Rashford Bruno Sancho
Ronaldo
AWB Lindelöf Varane Shaw
Fred Pogba
Rashford Bruno Sancho
Ronaldo
hi i was here years ago but banned my self from forums because i tend to log in at 4 am on a saturday night drunk and talk crap but i need to vent on ronaldo .
i think he will be the undoing of us this season and wreck everything that ole has built in the last couple of years . last season we improved so much and even though mcfred is wack and we all can see it im sure with cavani grafting up top like a warrior and the pace we have either side and bruno , pogba behind we looked close to a top team and now we have sancho and verane too . i guess my point is that ronaldo walking about up top has broken what we were becoming and set us back to a team with no idea how we should play .
at our best last season we grafted and played with pace and power and closing down or we worked hard against the better teams and used the pace up top to hurt them and i don't seE where ronny fits into that tbh . it has changed our whole style and i love ronny like we all do but i have a bad feeling it will be the undoing of ole .
any way peace my red brothers and sisters , black ,white ,brown, purple its one of the great things about football we are all family and suffer together and we party together UNITED
i think he will be the undoing of us this season and wreck everything that ole has built in the last couple of years . last season we improved so much and even though mcfred is wack and we all can see it im sure with cavani grafting up top like a warrior and the pace we have either side and bruno , pogba behind we looked close to a top team and now we have sancho and verane too . i guess my point is that ronaldo walking about up top has broken what we were becoming and set us back to a team with no idea how we should play .
at our best last season we grafted and played with pace and power and closing down or we worked hard against the better teams and used the pace up top to hurt them and i don't seE where ronny fits into that tbh . it has changed our whole style and i love ronny like we all do but i have a bad feeling it will be the undoing of ole .
any way peace my red brothers and sisters , black ,white ,brown, purple its one of the great things about football we are all family and suffer together and we party together UNITED
sorry a bit cringe at the end there but the glaziers just agreed to pay for the dry cleaning of the vomit off your 1975 admiral united shirt .
Ronaldo
Rashford(available soon right?) Bruno Greenwood
Inshallah midfield
Shaw Maguire Varane Awb
DDG
Rashford(available soon right?) Bruno Greenwood
Inshallah midfield
Shaw Maguire Varane Awb
DDG
Any team with McTominay in it automatically invalidates it from being our Best XI, by the way.
If Ole is to survive the next few games, he *has to* drop Bruno.
----------------------------------------DDG-------------------------------------------
-------AWB-----------Varane------------Maguire--------------Shaw------
---Sancho------------Bruno--------------Matic---------------Rashford--
----------------------Greenwood----------Cavani------------------------------
-------AWB-----------Varane------------Maguire--------------Shaw------
---Sancho------------Bruno--------------Matic---------------Rashford--
----------------------Greenwood----------Cavani------------------------------
an interesting formation overloading on the right
Well you could stick greenwood on the right and play donny instead of sancho in the middle with cavani alone upfront.
not our strongest on paper but would be interesting to see - would take some coaching and instruction on those central midfielders
--------------------------DDG----------------------
----Lindelof------Varane---Maguire----
AWB------Bruno----Pogba-------Shaw
----Sancho----Ronaldo----Rashford--
--------------------------DDG----------------------
----Lindelof------Varane---Maguire----
AWB------Bruno----Pogba-------Shaw
----Sancho----Ronaldo----Rashford--
no mate I like the team...
it's just in my browser AWB, Shaw, Rashford and sancho are all on the right with too many hyphens
I think your right.
Rashford-Greenwood-Sancho
This is our best front three, especially when we play as direct as we do. I think everyone can see it.
We have to sacrifice some of the non working attackers and be more pragmatic about the front players. I would be dropping Ronaldo but Ole won't have the balls for it, so
Rashford-Ronaldo-Lingard
Fred-Matic-Bruno
Matic sitting, Fred and Bruno pressing with Bruno encouraged to play a little deeper
If Ronaldo is "rested" then Cavani up top, and Greenwood right, we can't carry 3-4 players who don't work and/or have no positional discipline.
Rashford-Ronaldo-Lingard
Fred-Matic-Bruno
Matic sitting, Fred and Bruno pressing with Bruno encouraged to play a little deeper
If Ronaldo is "rested" then Cavani up top, and Greenwood right, we can't carry 3-4 players who don't work and/or have no positional discipline.
Yeah I agree with this
‐-------------‐-----greenwood
-----------------------sancho
--shaw---vdb--matic-mejbri---lingard
-----‐--------maguire--varane--lindelof
--------------------------ddg
-----------------------sancho
--shaw---vdb--matic-mejbri---lingard
-----‐--------maguire--varane--lindelof
--------------------------ddg
I'd be trying this. As always expecting a barrage of unyielding criticism.
/ to specify the main area I'd want to try players. Where there are none it's obvious, i.e where Telles gets his games etc.
This tactic is bearing in mind the current situation where we need better midfield control, better defensive stoutness from both open play and set pieces, better usage of underperforming players who are also unbalanced as a unit. And so here are my observations/reasonings:
- Neither of Pogba or Bruno deserve undroppable status, and both are really vying for the same spot in a balanced Man Utd team.
- McTominay and Matic should not be in more advanced midfield situations and likewise Fred and de Beek as diminutive easily shrugged off players should not be playing DM (imo) where turnover of possession is high risk.
- Pogba playing LCM encourages him to dally on the ball and so I'd want him on the right side.
- Bailly gives me G Neville aggression vibes, but too wild to be a long term CB. Therefore as a more aggressive RB (despite AWB's better tackling prowess) and one with CB positional knowledge I'd want to give Eric a chance over there. Where AWB often gets caught out positionally on back post crosses, Eric should have more nouse. I also feel he has a little more in his locker than AWB does with confidence on the ball in tight spots. We lose AWB's occasional outstanding cross for Eric's "welcome to my area of the pitch bitch" mentality; and possibly the assymetrical cover for Shaw's advances.
- Ronaldo would be instructed to be a false nine target. Make it goddamn stick. Diagonal runs either side of him with his arriving in the box later, using his positional sense to find space for a shot. Overall more impact on the game, defined role other than stay central hoping people get good crosses in.
- Sancho on the right to naturally be on his right foot to encourage earlier more clinical passing to unlock his assists once more. Rashford on the left as we know he's better there.
- So a diamond shape where the ball can either go into Ronaldo/Cavani who can spread it or simply one touch in and out back to where it came from, where alternatively Pogba/Bruno have the range to through ball it to either wide forward; wf's who to be honest I want timing their runs and living more in between FB and CB than in winger positions.
Overall offers options in build up i.e direct to Rashford/Sancho/Ronaldo, or more considered through the diamond/FB's accordingly. It encourages movement of players and the ball in general due to options.
TLDR Ronaldo must drop back, cannot become isolated/wait for service. Pogba/Bruno should share a spot due to poor form, need to for balance anyway. Use players in positions where their physical profile suits it.
/ to specify the main area I'd want to try players. Where there are none it's obvious, i.e where Telles gets his games etc.
This tactic is bearing in mind the current situation where we need better midfield control, better defensive stoutness from both open play and set pieces, better usage of underperforming players who are also unbalanced as a unit. And so here are my observations/reasonings:
- Neither of Pogba or Bruno deserve undroppable status, and both are really vying for the same spot in a balanced Man Utd team.
- McTominay and Matic should not be in more advanced midfield situations and likewise Fred and de Beek as diminutive easily shrugged off players should not be playing DM (imo) where turnover of possession is high risk.
- Pogba playing LCM encourages him to dally on the ball and so I'd want him on the right side.
- Bailly gives me G Neville aggression vibes, but too wild to be a long term CB. Therefore as a more aggressive RB (despite AWB's better tackling prowess) and one with CB positional knowledge I'd want to give Eric a chance over there. Where AWB often gets caught out positionally on back post crosses, Eric should have more nouse. I also feel he has a little more in his locker than AWB does with confidence on the ball in tight spots. We lose AWB's occasional outstanding cross for Eric's "welcome to my area of the pitch bitch" mentality; and possibly the assymetrical cover for Shaw's advances.
- Ronaldo would be instructed to be a false nine target. Make it goddamn stick. Diagonal runs either side of him with his arriving in the box later, using his positional sense to find space for a shot. Overall more impact on the game, defined role other than stay central hoping people get good crosses in.
- Sancho on the right to naturally be on his right foot to encourage earlier more clinical passing to unlock his assists once more. Rashford on the left as we know he's better there.
- So a diamond shape where the ball can either go into Ronaldo/Cavani who can spread it or simply one touch in and out back to where it came from, where alternatively Pogba/Bruno have the range to through ball it to either wide forward; wf's who to be honest I want timing their runs and living more in between FB and CB than in winger positions.
Overall offers options in build up i.e direct to Rashford/Sancho/Ronaldo, or more considered through the diamond/FB's accordingly. It encourages movement of players and the ball in general due to options.
TLDR Ronaldo must drop back, cannot become isolated/wait for service. Pogba/Bruno should share a spot due to poor form, need to for balance anyway. Use players in positions where their physical profile suits it.
wrong
Yeah let's turn to Hannibal in a crisis.
Seen our midfield options?
Or just do this for most talented 11...and how they'd want to line up
I am afraid quoting statistics without context he not very helpful. Yes, he is a very productive player in terms of chance creation, but what's the denominator? How many times does he lose the ball?yep he's clearly the problem
If we are to have a balanced team we need to play we a three-man central midfield. I don't think Bruno can play in central midfield against half-decent opposition. A Pogba-Matic-Fred midfield will suit us better in the next 6-7 games IMO.
Unless we have a manager like Pep who can instill a style of play that focuses on short passes and movement, we can't play Bruno in central midfield. Look at Liverpool - they often play with Henderson-Fabi-Thiago in central midfield.
What's wrong with promoting clearly a talented young player? we turned to rashford during a crisis and it turned out alright.
de Gea
Wan-Bissaka Varane Maguire Shaw
midfield
Greenwood Fernandes Rashford
Cavani
I think the team pretty much picks itself if everyone is available, barring the two midfield spots, which I imagine will rotate depending on the game.Wan-Bissaka Varane Maguire Shaw
midfield
Greenwood Fernandes Rashford
Cavani
Ronaldo won't get dropped, but he is harmful to the balance of this team. If he starts you've got to sacrifice one or both of Greenwood and Rashford for runners, and I don't think his performances have been close to good enough to justify that.
yep he's clearly the problem
Chances created is a fugazi stat. It doesn't mean anything. Set pieces are registered as chances created by these accounts. And even a sideays pass if the player shoots on goal is registered as a chance created.
All of these stats without context are misleading and false. He didn't create anything. Nobody did
Whatever you think about the stat about yesterdays game key passes over the entire season isn't something to be ignored which is precisely what you're doing by focusing on the one referring to yesterday's game
I agree with this, maybe Sancho for Greenwood based on the damning pressing stats against Greenwood but then as others have said Greenwood is producing is other aspects
As you say though Ronaldo won't/can't get dropped so it becomes a case of trying to find the best way of accommodating him, to me that means something like this
-----------------De Gea-----------------
AWB--Varane--Maguire--Shaw
---McTominay---Fred---
Lingard----Fernandes----Rashford
-----------------Ronaldo-----------------
or maybe
-----------------De Gea-----------------
AWB--Varane--Maguire--Shaw
---McTominay---Fred---
Rashford--Fernandes--Cavani
-----------------Ronaldo-----------------
(not sure what side Cavani would work best from left or right, hopefully right as I hate Rashford playing out there)
Either way the team you picked is actually the better option but 'politics'
Sancho doesn't offer anything more than Greenwood in respects of pressing, his numbers are actually lower.
Cavani used to play on the right for PSG when Ibrahimovic was there, but I don't think he's a fan. If you were choosing 3 hardworking players behind the striker you'd probably go Cavani, Fernandes and Lingard. I don't think that really achieves anything other than massaging the ego of Ronaldo though, Greenwood and Rashford should be playing on merit.
Hard to come up with a decent XI with the midfield options we've got. Assuming benching Ronaldo isn't an option we probably need to bench Pogba based on form, and then drop one of Greenwood/Sancho to get an extra midfielder so 3 from Fred/McTominay/Matic/VDB.
DDG
AWB Maguire Varane Shaw
Matic
VDB McTominay/Fred
Bruno
Ronaldo Rashford/Cavani
DDG
AWB Maguire Varane Shaw
Matic
VDB McTominay/Fred
Bruno
Ronaldo Rashford/Cavani
Please explain how it's wrong? If you shopped around McTominay and lets say, DVB for example, who do you think the top clubs will be more interested in because I can guarantee it will not be McTominay, guy has it good here because he's a product of the academy, not because he's a good player.
DDG
AWB Maguire Varane Shaw
Fred
VDB McTominay
Bruno. Rashford
Ronaldo
That's solid enough in midfield whilst still giving us pace to break and creativity to feed Ronaldo.
In attack it'd probably end up looking like
DDG
Maguire Varane
Fred
AWB VDB. McTominay
Bruno. Shaw
Ronaldo. Rashford
AWB Maguire Varane Shaw
Fred
VDB McTominay
Bruno. Rashford
Ronaldo
That's solid enough in midfield whilst still giving us pace to break and creativity to feed Ronaldo.
In attack it'd probably end up looking like
DDG
Maguire Varane
Fred
AWB VDB. McTominay
Bruno. Shaw
Ronaldo. Rashford
That all completely irrelevant
Whether you'd buy McTominay or not is a completely separate discussion to whether or not he's our best option
I'd like to see a Lindeloff given a go as a sitting midfielder. He got the legs, will atleast make a tackle and wouldn't chicken out and making a tactical foul.
It might be a bad idea, but I don't see him doing worse than Fred and Pogba.
It might be a bad idea, but I don't see him doing worse than Fred and Pogba.
Henderson
Wan-Bissaka Varane Maguire Shaw
Fred Mctominay
Greenwood Fernandes Pogba
Cavani
Wan-Bissaka Varane Maguire Shaw
Fred Mctominay
Greenwood Fernandes Pogba
Cavani
- I picked Henderson as while De Gea is clearly a better shot-stopper the fact Henderson is quicker off his line is quite useful when your central defenders are more on the slow side.
- McFred is far from the ideal center midfield pairing, but while neither are proper DM's between them they just about give the back 4 enough cover so other teams do just walk through our midfield.
- Greenwood has outperformed Sancho so gets the nod on the right.
- Pogba has been most consistent for us on the left, his tendency to go missing from games isn't as much of an issue there. Plus having him up beside Fernandes means its harder for the opposition to completely stop our creativity by just man-marking Bruno.
- I picked Cavani over Ronaldo, as while Ronaldo probably just about has the edge on Cavani(though I don't think it is as bigger a gap as it was a few years back) in front of goal, Cavani all-round game especially when we are out of possession really reduces the stress on the midfield and the whole team.
It changes daily, but I'm feeling this at the moment.
De Gea, Shaw, Maguire, Varane, Laird, Matic, Van de Beek, Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood, Sancho.
De Gea, Shaw, Maguire, Varane, Laird, Matic, Van de Beek, Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood, Sancho.
Sound reasoning.
Though I think we have to find a way to get games for the the squad and still win. Can't have Rashford Martial Sancho Ronnie being in a second choice less/ineffectual lineup.
For me Sancho might end up being more sound on the right after some games there. And ideally finding a way to not rock the boat and have Ronnie as 1st choice is necessary. With that said Sancho is historically more creative than Greenwood. I certainly agree with the Cavani better for the team than Ronnie though, except we've made the team politics bed now and must lie in it!!
Shame they're both ancient and wouldn't last together in a 2 up front partnership. I think it would be lethal. Then again that needs to be either a 442 or 352. Other than Sancho we ain't got wingers for the former and dont have sufficient quality wing backs for the latter!
Thank you
Yeah I agree, but that's an incredibly good back up attack to have, I genuinely think our attacking depth is as good as it gets in world football.
I assumer long term Sancho will end up on the right, when he has adapted a bit more to the physicality and pace of the premier league, which so far unfortunately he has struggled with. But if we are talking right now, which the thread is about, you would have to pick Greenwood there as he is playing better than Sancho.
I'm guessing the plan prior to the re signing of Ronaldo was to have Sancho on the right and give Greenwood kind of platoon with Cavani and filling in on the wing as and when.
Obviously that went out the window when we brought in Ronaldo and we are now having to adapt the team around him.
Yeah I agree Ronaldo now is going to start most of the game now, because he is Ronaldo, whether we would have a more complete team without him doesn't matter. which is not a good situation to be in, but thats the decision the club made and now has to stick to it, becuase it would be a Sh*t storm other wise. But if we are going by simply what they offer on the pitch, I personally think Cavani's all round game gives him the edge over Ronaldo with this group of players.
Also think we don't have the midfield, and where would Bruno play. And you can kind of get away with Pogba as a wide attacker but a full on winger? not sure. Plus if you where going to play 2 up top would two aging players be the way to go, yes they are great aging players, but we probably would be better off pairing one of them with the pace and mobility of Greenwood. So i don't think 442 is the way to get the best out of this squad.