You could be right, I just always feel we weaken our midfield too much with him centrally, I think the safety net of 3-5-2 helped in that regards, although he did play midfield in a 4-3-3 vs Chelsea last season. I guess we'll see if Schneiderlin affects LvG's view in regards to his midfield set up.
This is my team 15/16
- Thread starter Magnus
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You could be right, I just always feel we weaken our midfield too much with him centrally, I think the safety net of 3-5-2 helped in that regards, although he did play midfield in a 4-3-3 vs Chelsea last season. I guess we'll see if Schneiderlin affects LvG's view in regards to his midfield set up.
Not sure whether to swap Di Maria and Mata. Or possibly put Fellaini in there? Otamendi would be too ambitious really. We will need a new striker if Van Persie leaves aswell.
This is how i think we will lineup. I think LVG will prefer the balance of two fast wingers, rather than Depay AND Di Maria on one side with slow coach Mata on the other.
Fellaini will be a Plan B from now on or an added physical threat in the big games.
Carrick will be 34 in a few weeks. I think its almost guaranteed he will transition to a squad player this season. CMs fall off a cliff around this age and we dont have the luxury of two players to do his running every week.
I actually thought we'd use a similar formula to the one Juve used with Pirlo, having Herrera and Schneiderlin as #8's in front of Carrick in the midfield 3.
I think we will for some games, but Pirlo is at least a level above Carrick and he still only played half their games this season with players as good as Pogba, Vidal and Marchisio next to him.
Too many new players at once. The team is gonna take some time to gel and when/if that time comes around, it may already be December and you're playing catchup.
Aye, that would be high octane stuff in midfield
I really hope we pull our finger out and finalise (at least) the Schneiderlin signing soon.
Depay, Darmian & Schneiderlin would be a decent summer, strengthening us in key positions. Add a Schweinsteiger + a CB & maybe a CF if RvP & Chich leaves, & it'd be amazing.
No evidence to suggest that Mata will play in a central position. I think he'll start more games than any other player in our squad out on the right though.
Probably the most unrealistic dream team I've ever seen labelled realistic.
I think your team next season will be something like:
Cilessen
Darmian
Rojo
Smalling
Blind
Carrick
Herrera
Depay
Di Maria
Mata
Rooney
Thats a pretty realistic team but I think Ramos will sign
Love to see us play 4231 next season with 2 box to box CM's with an attacking midfielder in front of them:
Would be happy with this as our starting XI on the first day of the season:
Would be happy with this as our starting XI on the first day of the season:
De Gea
Darmian Smalling Otamendi Shaw
Schneiderlin Herrera
di Maria Mata Young
Rooney
Darmian Smalling Otamendi Shaw
Schneiderlin Herrera
di Maria Mata Young
Rooney
Depay for Young and a new GK
I like this. Seems very realistic too(could swap Otamendi for Ramos).
Not sure whether to swap Di Maria and Mata. Or possibly put Fellaini in there? Otamendi would be too ambitious really. We will need a new striker if Van Persie leaves aswell.
I agree but We definately need new signings to compete at the highest level again. But as you say it'll take them time to settle. I'm prepared to wait though.
Darmian - Smalling/Otamendi/Ramos - Shaw
Brilliant back four!
Brilliant back four!
Not sure whether to swap Di Maria and Mata. Or possibly put Fellaini in there? Otamendi would be too ambitious really. We will need a new striker if Van Persie leaves aswell.
Good one. I do not think we will buy Ramos so it might be Rojo or Jones instead. And Herrera might play a bit deeper than Mata.
In games where we play more defensively I would think about Blind instead of Mata. Maybe Carrick in special situations.
Yeh pretty much agree with what you say. Mata to be the number 10 more then Herrera in that role but likely taking it turns anyway maybe. LVG says Herrera is a box to box player anyway. Fellaini would be a good option in physical games instead of Mata and like you say, Blind or Carrick in games where we need to dominate the midfield.
Based on the sudden feeling that we're not going to resolve the head-butting contest with Madrid and will just resign ourselves to losing De Gea next summer instead...
Being an academy-phile I obviously want us to keep either RVP or Hernandez so that we've got enough back-up to give Wilson a proper crack at becoming Rooney's successor, as above, but probably LVG is going to bring a striker in.
1st XI
DDG
Darmian Smalling Otamendi Shaw
Carrick/Schneiderlin
Mata Herrera
Di Maria Rooney Depay
2nd XI
Valdes
Valencia Jones Rojo Blind
Carrick/Schneiderlin
Pereira Fellaini
Januzaj Wilson Young
Given that the 2nd XI there allows for no crossover from the first at all (creating weaker spots that are unlikely given how flexible many of those senior players are), that's a very good-looking squad.DDG
Darmian Smalling Otamendi Shaw
Carrick/Schneiderlin
Mata Herrera
Di Maria Rooney Depay
2nd XI
Valdes
Valencia Jones Rojo Blind
Carrick/Schneiderlin
Pereira Fellaini
Januzaj Wilson Young
Being an academy-phile I obviously want us to keep either RVP or Hernandez so that we've got enough back-up to give Wilson a proper crack at becoming Rooney's successor, as above, but probably LVG is going to bring a striker in.
.........................Oblak.......................
Darmian...Otamendi.....Ramos.......Shaw
..........Herrera....Mata...Schniederlin.......
..........ADM.........Rooney.......Depay.......
Darmian...Otamendi.....Ramos.......Shaw
..........Herrera....Mata...Schniederlin.......
..........ADM.........Rooney.......Depay.......
Carrick isn't as old as Pirlo though, the season before that he featured pretty regularly. I just think LvG will use Carrick as much as possible if fit as we look much less cohesive without him and we aren't likely to bring in someone that can replicate his passing game this summer.
I'm hoping he'll mostly be on the bench as that will mean Di Maria has found his form.
I'm hoping there's still a future for Di Maria in that advanced midfield position. Don't think there is for Mata, but might be for Di Maria cause he can press. Just needs to stop losing possession so much.
---------------DDG ()
Darmian---Smalling--Otamendi--Shaw
---------------Carrick-----------------
----------Herrera---Schneiderlin
--------------Di Maria
-----------Rooney------------Depay
)Darmian---Smalling--Otamendi--Shaw
---------------Carrick-----------------
----------Herrera---Schneiderlin
--------------Di Maria
-----------Rooney------------Depay
1st XI:
Valdes
Darmian - Smalling - Ramos - Shaw
Herrera - Schneiderlin
di Maria - Mata - Depay
Rooney
2nd XI:
Lindegaard
Valencia - Jones - Rojo - Blind
Carrick - Fellaini
Januzaj - Pereira - Young
new striker
Reserves:
Johnstone, McNair, Varela, Lingard, Wilson
I'm starting to think 4-2-3-1 caters more to our squad.Valdes
Darmian - Smalling - Ramos - Shaw
Herrera - Schneiderlin
di Maria - Mata - Depay
Rooney
2nd XI:
Lindegaard
Valencia - Jones - Rojo - Blind
Carrick - Fellaini
Januzaj - Pereira - Young
new striker
Reserves:
Johnstone, McNair, Varela, Lingard, Wilson
Same, our squad looks really weak in a 4-3-3 formation, but Louis seems to love it apparently.
I just can't see it in truth, I think Di Maria needs the freedom to take risks and LvG doesn't allow for that in midfield.
-----------------------Lloris-------------------------------*----------------------Valdes-----------------------------------
-----Ramos---------Smalling--------Otamendi----------*----------Jones------McNair-----Rojo-----------------------
Darmian-------Herrera----Schneiderlin------Blind------*---Valencia----Fellaini---Carrick------Shaw---------------
----------Di Maria-------------Depay---------------------*------------Mata--------------Young------------------------
---------------------Lacazette-----------------------------*---------------------Rooney-----------------------------
Januzaj, Pereira, Wilson, Lindegaard in reserve
-----Ramos---------Smalling--------Otamendi----------*----------Jones------McNair-----Rojo-----------------------
Darmian-------Herrera----Schneiderlin------Blind------*---Valencia----Fellaini---Carrick------Shaw---------------
----------Di Maria-------------Depay---------------------*------------Mata--------------Young------------------------
---------------------Lacazette-----------------------------*---------------------Rooney-----------------------------
Januzaj, Pereira, Wilson, Lindegaard in reserve
------------Valdes--------------
Darmian-Smalling-Rojo-Shaw
----------Schneiderlin----------
--------Herrera---Di Maria----
---J Mata----Rooney---Depay-
Darmian-Smalling-Rojo-Shaw
----------Schneiderlin----------
--------Herrera---Di Maria----
---J Mata----Rooney---Depay-
What the fecks going on here?-----------------------Lloris-------------------------------*----------------------Valdes-----------------------------------
-----Ramos---------Smalling--------Otamendi----------*----------Jones------McNair-----Rojo-----------------------
Darmian-------Herrera----Schneiderlin------Blind------*---Valencia----Fellaini---Carrick------Shaw---------------
----------Di Maria-------------Depay---------------------*------------Mata--------------Young------------------------
---------------------Lacazette-----------------------------*---------------------Rooney-----------------------------
Januzaj, Pereira, Wilson, Lindegaard in reserve
I know what you mean. I had successfully repressed thoughts of the back-three for months until @Mister Ed came along.
------------------Lloris
Darmian--Ramos---Smalling--Shaw
----------------Carrick
-------Schneiderlin---Herrera
Di Maria------------------------Memphis
-----------------Rooney-------
Bench: Valdes, Valencia, Rojo, Jones, Blind, Schweinstegier, Mata, Young, Fellaini, Lacazette, Wilson
swap Otamendi for Ramos if the latter decides to stay at Madrid. only thing I'd worry about is lack of goals, as I'm not sure Rooney is a 20+ scorer anymore. Would love Muller but just seems too unrealistic.
Darmian--Ramos---Smalling--Shaw
----------------Carrick
-------Schneiderlin---Herrera
Di Maria------------------------Memphis
-----------------Rooney-------
Bench: Valdes, Valencia, Rojo, Jones, Blind, Schweinstegier, Mata, Young, Fellaini, Lacazette, Wilson
swap Otamendi for Ramos if the latter decides to stay at Madrid. only thing I'd worry about is lack of goals, as I'm not sure Rooney is a 20+ scorer anymore. Would love Muller but just seems too unrealistic.
It is the future
It's more like the past.
Could add: Austin, Delph and possibly a new GK to that
Last edited:
So our 15/16 team now looking like...
---------------Valdes---------------
Damian--Smalling--Jones--Blind
---------------Carrick---------------
-------Herrera-------Schweinsteiger
Mata----------Rooney----------Depay
Subs: Lindegaard, Shaw, Valencia, Fellaini, Di Maria, ???, ???
I've obviously omitted De Gea however I would hope if he does go then Ramos comes to us if we do end up getting screwed by them again I would hope the Otamendi transfer comes off. The concerning thing about the above is how short in attack we look now
---------------Valdes---------------
Damian--Smalling--Jones--Blind
---------------Carrick---------------
-------Herrera-------Schweinsteiger
Mata----------Rooney----------Depay
Subs: Lindegaard, Shaw, Valencia, Fellaini, Di Maria, ???, ???
I've obviously omitted De Gea however I would hope if he does go then Ramos comes to us if we do end up getting screwed by them again I would hope the Otamendi transfer comes off. The concerning thing about the above is how short in attack we look now
Current best eleven and bench:
DDG will probably leave, I'm pretty much resigned to that and although I find it unlikely we'll get Ramos in return, I'm more confident about us getting a decent fee with how Woody's hard balled Madrid. Add a centre back and Schneiderlin and it's a decent summer transfer window. Add a quality striker and that is one fecking formidable side.
de Gea
Darmian - Smalling - Rojo - Shaw
Carrick
Schweinsteiger - Herrera
di Maria - Rooney - Depay
Subs: Valdes, Jones, Blind, Fellaini, Young, Mata, Hernandez
I've only done this, because it's weirdly satisfying posting the new team even if it's after just one or two additions. Still, very good side and strong bench.Darmian - Smalling - Rojo - Shaw
Carrick
Schweinsteiger - Herrera
di Maria - Rooney - Depay
Subs: Valdes, Jones, Blind, Fellaini, Young, Mata, Hernandez
DDG will probably leave, I'm pretty much resigned to that and although I find it unlikely we'll get Ramos in return, I'm more confident about us getting a decent fee with how Woody's hard balled Madrid. Add a centre back and Schneiderlin and it's a decent summer transfer window. Add a quality striker and that is one fecking formidable side.
Love that team. Just needs a top class CB and obviously a GK if (when) De Gea leaves.
Completely forgot about Rojo and Young
Oblak
Darmian Ramos Otamendi Rojo
Schweinsteiger
Schneiderlin Herrera
Rooney Di Maria
Muller
Darmian Ramos Otamendi Rojo
Schweinsteiger
Schneiderlin Herrera
Rooney Di Maria
Muller
Yeah, Muller is not leaving Bayern.