Having looked at the squad, i expect the following are undisputed starters: ddg (gk), awb(rb), shaw(lb), maguire(cb),McT(cdm/cm*), pogba(cm), martial(fwd) and rashford(fwd).
notable absentee being lindeloff, who was a guranteed starter until the 80 million arrival. So while lindeloff is as close to being a gurante starter, I imagine if the maguire/lindeloff partnership does not work lindeloff is more susceptible to being upsurped at least initially
the other position up for grab is the 3rd fwd. The list of contenders include lingard who at this stage is the most likely imo, mata is my least favourite but most experienced option, james looks raw but could surprise us all, gomes look magical but can ole bet his job on him or greenwood who looks the most natural of the lot in a rwf position.
finally, the 3rd midfielder 2 play alongside McT and pogba. Sadly, i think it will be one of matic/fred and both option fill me with dread. Pereira looks decent but not much more atm. Or could ole go gungho and play with just pogba and McT in cm and opt for an extra attacker? This sounds exciting but I am not sure we can pull this off against decent teams considering pogba's work ethic. I have heard someons suggest either lindeloff/tuanzebe who are good ball players playing as cdm. I like that idea but i am also reminded of rio one of the best ball playing cbs being merked by savage when saf decided to play him at cdm.
how do you expect / hope we line up?
How do we line up?
posted on 9/8/19
well.... to be honest, lining up at 3pm on a Saturday afternoon would make a nice change.
posted on 9/8/19
I expect Matic to be first choice mf ahead of everyone bar pogba sadly
posted on 9/8/19
Greenwood
Rashford Martial
Matic McTom Pogs
Shaw Lindlof Maguire Wan Bissaka
De Gea
posted on 9/8/19
Ole loves Mct and Pereira and rightly so. No way Fred is ahead of them in the pecking order. Expect McT to fill the void left by Herrera.
posted on 9/8/19
De Gea
AWB Lindelof Maguire/Tuanzebe Shaw
McTominay Pogba
James/Greenwood Lingard Rashford
Martial
Something like this to start the season. Could swap Martial and Rashford around. We want the front 3/4 to be fluid so they may not just stick to one side. We've seen how Rashford and Martial have changed positions in game in the preseason so I expect to see more of that once the players get comfortable in the system.
Pereira will probably play in either McTominay or Lingard's positions. Mata could play in Lingard's positions, though I think he will be a sub option in games. Gomes could come on later on in games in the AM or LWF positions. James and Greenwood would take any of the "front 3" positions if they come off the bench. Injury permitting, we'll probably try to keep the same back 4 as much as possible.
posted on 9/8/19
I just hope Matic doesn't become the new Valencia, the token player that everyone assumes must have something incriminating against the manager and gets picked every game regardless of shiyteness.
posted on 9/8/19
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka Lindelöf Maguire Shaw
McTominay
Pereira Pogba
James Rashford Martial
A couple of positions up for grabs there, mainly Pereira and James. Hope to see Gomes and Greenwood get plenty of action.