NevrinThe only difference of this formation and the one used by Sir Alex Ferguson is the usage of an attacking midfielder and a ball holding midfielder instead of two centre midfielders.
The thing which the team play is lacking now is the creativity which can be found in this formation. This formation that I would call as 4-1-3-2 rather than 4-4-2 diamond has two starting point of defense and attack, which is the ball holding midfielder and the attacking midfielder.
From the players that we have now, Anderson should be given more chances to play and of course, as an ATTACKING MIDFIELDER. Fletcher, who is known to be a tireless midfielder, can be used as a ball holding midfielder at the MC position.
When the team loses the possession, Fletcher will be the first one to move into defense and while the team has the possession, Anderson will be the attacking playmaker at the centre of the park. Both Fletcher and Anderson are freely moving from left to right but Fletcher will always operate behind Anderson.
For the defense, Rafael will be less attacking than Evra due to the advance position of Valencia. Evra will involve himself in attack when needed. Vidic stays further ahead of Ferdinand so Ferdinand will be the centre defender to cover the defense.
For the midfield, Fletcher will stay nearer to the right side and again, due to the Valencia who runs down the flank as typical winger. Anderson will stay centre or a bit near to the left while Nani plays as Winger which is less advanced than Valencia and look to cut inside. Occasionally, Nani can exchange postion with Anderson with himself moving into the centre and Anderson to the left with Evra as the back up at the left flank.
For the forward, Berbatov and Rooney can both drop deep and move forward. However Berbatov will play as a Target Man and act as the first passing option for Valencia near the right side and I would say that Berbatov is important at front to hold the ball while Rooney will be the most influential player on the pitch slightly ahead of Anderson as he will act as the Trequartista. Rooney will be given the free role to create chances and score goals in front with Anderson supporting him.
While losing possession, Rafael and Evra will move further up a bit to partner Fletcher to formDMR, DMC and DML. Rooney will move backward to join Anderson in the midfield alongside Nani and Valencia to form MR, MCs and ML with Berbatov to be the only man in front as ST. So the formation will change into 2-3-4-1 to strengthen the midfield.
14.04.2010
GeorgieWasTheBestA couple of points I want to make:
1)Valencia is a lot more defensive than people realize. He's such a beast that he makes it look easy to run up and down the pitch for 90 mins. I wouldn't count him in your attacking 3 in the midfield.
2)Anderson does not have the credit to play as an attacking midfielder. Albeit few, he got his games and did not really score much. If memory serves right, he only scored once. I'd play Gibson in that position. That kid has some cracking shots and does not lack confidence to unleash them. I guess we have a new Paul Scholes.
15.04.2010
NevrinI actually use Nani, Anderson and Valencia as ML, MC and MR but with the role of Wingers and Attacking Midfielder. I tend to play Anderson as he has been used as a normal centre midfielder or more precisely, a ball holding midfielder by Sir Alex which I think that it is not his best position. Therefore I would have give him the freedom to be a more attacking player with Fletcher supporting him behind which means he will have less defensive duty. During his time at Porto, he has been called as the next Ronaldinho (although he is not really for now), so his best role will be an attacking midfielder.
Similar to Anderson, Valencia is a player with great pace and acceleration. It is a nightmare to deal with both of them all the times. Although Man Utd nowadays is not short of winger who can provide crosses and energy down the right flank, which is done by Valencia, the team couldn't attack from the centre. Scholes, Carrick, Gibson just couldn't be the force to move the team forward at the centre of the park. Therefore this is another reason why Anderson will be given the second chances although he don't score many.
Based on your name, I could see that you are United fans if I am not mistaken. Have you realised that the centre midfielders of United nowadays are playing like defensive midfielders as deep lying playmakers? Due to this situation, other players like Berbatov and Rooney have to frequently drop deep as the passing options, else the two centre midfielders will only be able to pass with the back four. With a centre midfield partnership which can be stop so easy, the opponents will put more men to mark our wing players where the whole team is marked, resulting in the lack of attacking display. So, United need a powerful and explosive centre midfielder to drive the team forward.
Therefore Anderson should be given a new role in my opinion. Anyway thanks to your points and I am looking forward to your further suggestions.
15.04.2010
GeorgieWasTheBestIndeed, I am a United fan. I reckon you are wrong about Rooney. The reason he drops deep is his style of play. He likes to use the depth and breadth of the pitch, he wants to make best use of his explosiveness. He has been always like that, for Everton, for United and for England.
Berabtov was asked to fill his boots and couldn't. He's the type of player that plays on the shoulders of defenders and doesn't really like to use the depth. I give you that.
United's plan of attack has almost have been use of wingers and at least one very mobile striker. Giggs, Ronaldo, Beckham and maybe even Cantona fit to that game plan. The defensive midfielders either make surprise runs into box or shoot from distance.
Not every talented player can cut it in Premier League, let alone United. Anderson has been around for a while and he doesn't seem to inspire confidence.
16.04.2010
NevrinRooney has been dropping deep to collect the ball since the time he joined the team which is the way that I would like to see. Although he scored more this season, I would like to see the role given to him last time, staying at the centre but not the one to stay wide and support Ronaldo.
In fact, our centre midfielders are lacking the force to attack through the middle, which is a disadvantage for the team when the opponents are totally marking our wide players. That is why we couldn't produce some free flowing football like last time and our passing was easily spotted. Ineffective to move the ball throughout the pitch and failed to make good use of every corner of the pitch will eventually lead to less attacking displays.
That is the reason why Sir Alex is planning to splash the cash on a goal-scroing midfielder as well since Scholes is operating more like an deep lying playmaker and we have seen less of his scorchers now.
Berbatov, another player who has been given the wrong role to. A skillful and prolific goalscorer, as proved by his record at Leverkusen and Tottenham was not suited to our system. Rooney needs a strike partner who can hold the ball for him, but unfortunately Berbatov is not the one.
However my formation above was made without considering any new signing so I just fielded the current players. Any player in the team now that you think who would fit this formation well?
Gibson will replace Anderson? How about Berbatov?
16.04.2010
FeriAtsIsn't ManU's problems squad problems rather than tactical this year? They didn't replace Tevez and C.Ronaldo. These are top of the crop players, any team losing them are bound to struggle. Add aging Giggs, Scholes and Neville to this and things don't look bright.
I guess Ferguson was expecting his younger players to step up, but likes of Anderson, Obertan, Macheda etc didn't deliver.
16.04.2010
NevrinBy considering Tevez workrate and Ronaldo goalsrocing ability, we know that we have missed players who can fight for the ball in front and score goals. In this season, Rooney has to single-handledly do both tasks but we can't always rely on Rooney. He needs a strike partner to actually free him up and get the best out of him.
And Sir Alex have to be fast to make decision for Giggs, Scholes, Neville and Van der Sars' replacement. We do need their experiences but they can't play for every matches as they are no longer as fit as their peak time.
I would say that the team is having both squad and tactical problems. Sir Alex has tweak the tactic due to the departure of Ronaldo and Tevez. Previously, we have four great players in front who are Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez and Giggs interchange their positions up front. The team play is less mobile this season where most of the players will just stick to their position. For some of the games especially against tough and persistent opponents, we could see the lack of creativity which resulting in less attacking displays and constantly conceding some goals.
Let's see who will be the next few signing and who will shine next season.
16.04.2010
PletikosaHorrible.
Van der Sar's arrow is pointless.
Evra and Rafael are both as attacking as each other and should be making the same movement.
Valencia should be hugging the line and not a little infield.
And Rooney leads the line.
18.04.2010
NevrinArrow of Van der Sar was a mistake and it meant nothing.
With Rooney, Berbatov, Valencia, Nani and Anderson to responsible for majority of the attacking play, I don't see that throwing too much players into advance positions would actually beneficial for the defense. A balance point between attack and defense must be reached.
Therefore the rest of the players will be supporting the attack or defending.
Valencia could be a threat to play infield, the penalty that he gained against Liverpool is an example. Cutting inside or hugging the touchline will both be ok for him. Staying near to the touchline is just one of the way to provide width.
20.04.2010
kabulblueI also think that this is really an orthodox 4-4-2 with Fletcher and Anderson in the middle, Nani and Valencia on the wings, and Rooney and Berbatov upfront. Surely this shape has already been tried a number of time this season? I think Ferguson prefers a 4-3-3 like most top managers.
http://kabulblue.blogspot.com/
24.04.2010
Robert O'CarlosFor this formation, Fletcher could certainly do a job in this position but I think his all round talent would be wasted.
Having an attack-minded central midfielder would limit Rooney's influence and space on the field, particularly alongside Berbatov, and the team as a whole lacks width in not having the 2 across midfield.
Ferguson has said many times his teams are largely based around 6 defensive players (not defending players, there's a difference) and 4 attacking players. I think team's would find it a lot easier to play through United with this formation.
:-)
02.05.2010
