Would love to see Sneijder signed, but would wonder what the plan for a number of players would be (the forwards not named Rooney). I don't think Sneijder would be comfortable or effective (or as effective) in a 442 so if he was signed, it would surely signal an intent to move to one up front on a more permanent basis
................VDS
Rafael.....Rio....Vidic....Evra
........Fletcher..Carrick
Valencia..Sneijder..Nani
..............Rooney
That looks great on paper, and I think restricting Carrick a bit might actually help him focus his game. However, I would still worry that if he doesn't cop himself on would Anderson or Hargreaves be able to step up as required?
Also, as mentioned, if that was our first choice team, what happens with Berbatov, Owen, Macheda, Welbeck, Diouf and Hernandez? surely we'd have to move on a couple of them - can we keep 7 forwards when generally only playing one up front? If you are moving people on, who would it be? I would look at keeping Kiko and Welbeck for the time being anyway. Kiko could develop into a quality central striker and I think Welbeck could develop into a good advanced right winger/forward in a 433. Hernandez would obviously be kept because he has only just been signed. That leaves Berbatov, Diouf and Owen. Of those 3 Berbatov would be the one I would least like to lose, with Diouf being the one I would be most prepared to see move on.
Or, is Sneijder far more capable of playing 442 than I am giving him credit for?