The important thing is not the formation.....

[uranushk1]

....but is having the right player for the formation. We always played 4-4-1-1 when Cantona was here. He played in the hole and made thing happened from there. So the problem is not 4-4-1-1, but is WHO does Fergie choose to play in each position of this formation.

Remember Scholes was very poor in the first part of last season every time he played in the hole. But in the latter matches we tried to play Giggs partner with Ruud forward, it immediately produced an impact and setup several wonderful goals by each other. However, unfortunately starting from this season Fergie has returned to his most initial idea to play Scholes up front. After only ONE success in the CL match against Oly, Fergie couldn't wait to declare that Scholes as forward is already a success. But then, after that only success, Scholes was average again in the hole, and he (and also the whole team) played much better after he switched back to midfield in two successive league matches (everton and fulham).

I (and also most of the fans) see Scholes is a much better midfielder than the forward. Hope Fergie stops to be too stubborn and reverse to our golden midfield asap.

 

[darko]

When Cantona played in-the-hole we had a bonafid RW. The problem with United's current squad stems from the fact we have nobody to threaten down the right wing. Sure Beckham can cross better than anybody, but he rarely takes anyone on down the wing. This is where Dwight Yorke used to help IMO. I think his speed (along with Cole) was a big enough threat to give Beckham more space.

I was always in favour of bring in a FB with the ability to carry the ball. A Cafu would be nice. But, someone with that abilty would do.

Speaking of formations, I was watching the 1968 EC final the other week. I noticed that both clubs use a 4-3-3 formation. Neither side seemed to be short in MF. LW John Aston quite often found himself in the United 20 yard area. Best and Kidd also back tracked alot. FB Dunne and Brennan also made runs upfield. So all this talk of formation is nonesense. United have to utilize the field more effectively. Taking away a striker to shore up the midfield doesn't make sense if it takes away your abilty to score.

 

[WeasteDevil]

I think that Scholes can play the "in the hole" position, but only with RVN who is strong enough to hold the ball up. Solskjaer is not strong enough to do that and gets left all on his own and has to track back! Giggs can work with Solskjaer because in that case, it's not holding the ball that works, but pace.

 

[Livvie]

Originally posted by WeasteDevil:
<strong>I think that Scholes can play the "in the hole" position, but only with RVN who is strong enough to hold the ball up. Solskjaer is not strong enough to do that and gets left all on his own and has to track back! Giggs can work with Solskjaer because in that case, it's not holding the ball that works, but pace.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Scholes best performances in that position this season were against Charlton and Olympiakos.