Dare I say it but I almost quite liked it. Let me explain before you shout me down. It's not perfect and there are a few tweaks I'd like to see to it, as well as a new manager leading it, but it definitely showed a glimpse of what can be.
The positives:
1. Our defence looked a bit better despite conceding two goals again. Bailly n Rojo were very rusty, which is to be expected, but we restricted an in form Arsenal to only a few good chances. Aubameyang I thought was incredibly quiet. Their goals were a bit lucky too, especially the first one which was a howler from Dave. The second too had a hint of fortune about it. And we have to remember that Arsenal are a lot better than Southampton too and in much better form.
2. The front 2. We actually pressed them and it looked like it worked. I was impressed with our first half display and thought we were the better team in that half. There was movement galore and Arsenal definitely looked liked they knew they were in a game.
3. Dalot for me showed a real desire to get forward. His final ball wasn't great at all but I liked what i saw from him and he could definitely get assists for us playing that role given a run in the team.
4. Herrera again showing why he is so important to us. Thought he was easily our best player on the pitch. How on earth did Matic get MOTM? What game were they watching on TV? All the fan channels and forums have given it to Herrera though which makes me happy.
Now for the negatives.....
The midfield just had no link to the forwards. Herrera was good as I have said but Matic was very poor I felt and Lingard too was very wasteful with the ball. However he did pop up with a goal. Obviously Pogba is the obvious one for that role but I have given up on him now. He clearly wants to leave and we should let him. I only want players who want to be here.
Darmian just doesn't offer any attacking threat at all. Wing backs need to offer that and he simply doesn't.
I actually think with 1 or 2 transfers and switches that formation could work well for us. Okay I'm not getting carried away and pretending it will be good enough to take on City but it would definitely improve us drastically to be in there around the top 4.
The formation last night
posted on 6/12/18
comment by Benched (U7195)
posted 53 seconds ago
That formation leaves us bereft of attacking intent.
We're Man Utd, why do we need 5 defenders and a DM in front of the best keeper in the world
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That’s largely from the tactical side rather than the actual formation
posted on 7/12/18
Just in relation to the formation. LvG was clearly ahead of his time with the 3-4-1-2 against Swansea. Long before Conte went to Chelsea.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28718345
In hindsight he should have got another 6 months.
posted on 7/12/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/12/18
Few issues with the formation/personnel:
- There's always a gap between the wing back and the side CB. The number of times an Arsenal player got in behind Dalot was quite worrying.
- Like you said, the link between midfield and the attackers are virtually non-existent since there are only 2 CMs. It will get overrun when up against a 433.
The formation can be improved if the personnel are better suited though:
- At least 2 CBs need to be good on the ball and like stepping into midfield so that we don't need a specialist defensive CM. Two box-to-box CMs would be ideal here.
- Wingbacks need to be productive in the final third. I'd be tempted to play wingers that are willing to track back here rather than fullbacks who like going forward.
- Number 10 is the key. He needs to be given a free role and be world class as he is the sole link between midfield and attack.
posted on 7/12/18
comment by Eric_the_king (SE85) (U21241)
posted 6 hours, 42 minutes ago
Not out of the question we could get £120m for Pogba, £50m for Lukaku and £15/20m for Sanchez. Football is a wash with money and desperate clubs.
£190m return would suffice.
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Great idea, but Jose remains our manager. Which means we are more likely to lose Martial or Rashford before Lukaku. This could be the last time you see this formation and Matic in the formation is the greatest waste of utility in a team.
posted on 7/12/18
comment by Eric_the_king (SE85) (U21241)
posted 8 hours, 2 minutes ago
Not out of the question we could get £120m for Pogba, £50m for Lukaku and £15/20m for Sanchez. Football is a wash with money and desperate clubs.
£190m return would suffice.
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Awash with money and desperate..
Yup, that’s what put Sanchez on 500k a week.
posted on 7/12/18
I thought Sanchez was getting a million a week.
posted on 7/12/18
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/12/18
comment by Redinthehead - FreeGaza - فلسطين (U1860)
posted 2 hours, 30 minutes ago
comment by Eric_the_king (SE85) (U21241)
posted 8 hours, 2 minutes ago
Not out of the question we could get £120m for Pogba, £50m for Lukaku and £15/20m for Sanchez. Football is a wash with money and desperate clubs.
£190m return would suffice.
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Awash with money and desperate..
.
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Pretty much sums up utd under Woodward’s reign perfectly.
posted on 8/12/18
Everything in the original post is just completely wrong.
So wrong that the four central points are polar opposites of reality.