Post up your formation for the team.

[Dark Savante]

With the emergence of Spector, the return of Brown and Rio plus Heinze's imminent arrival we can now start to look toward the formation(s) we are gonna play this season. I've seen some odd ones posted up on other forums and a little theory as to why the 3man backline was tried during the American tour...hmmm...

The fact that we have two supp stri's in Rooney and Smith even gives us the chance to try a lethal 4-5-1 or even a 3-5-2/3-6-1 set of systems:

------Howard
----Brown--Rio
GNeville------Heinze
---Keane-Scholes
-Ronaldo-----Giggs
-----Rooney/Smith
-----VNR/Saha

Thing about that system is that no matter what front two go out there they are serious attacking threat...this will cause so much trouble in Europe and with the high line that Rio and Brown will provide Keane will get alot of breathers during a game.

-------Howard
Spector/Brown--Rio--Heinze
-----Keane--Scholes/Fletcher
-Ronaldo---------Giggs
------Rooney--Smith
--------Ruud/Saha

is also a very real possibility for some games. All 3 CB's are familiar with a 3 man backline system and the Rooney + Smith tandem behind Ruud will be an absolute headache for any defence in the world. The potential movement and energy of this system is exciting. I wouldn't be surprised to see this used against teams who don't primarily attack the wings but like to play neat football thru the middle of the pitch. Smith's tackling is so persistent along with Rooney's energy level will give the wide men tons of chances to overlap and stay inline with Ruud and push opp. WB's right back. I'd love to see us attack full-on with this system.

Once the 1st teamers are all back I fully expect the majority of our games to be 4-4-2 with SMith or Rooney withdrawn and Saha or Ruud as the out and out

--------------------------Howard
----------------Brown-------------------Rio
-G.Neville-------------------------------------------Heinze
-----------Keane/Djemba----------Klebs/Fletch/Scholes
-Ronaldo------------------------------------------Giggs
---------------------------------Rooney/Smith
------------------Ruud/Saha

[johno]

You really covered all the bases there DS... good post, and good idea for a thread...


My take on a 3 man backline is that it would be useful in the prem too against those bloody idiots who like to play a 6-2-1 formation against us and have no intention of attacking other than on counters... Although realistically I see that formation as a tool to use when behind, because to play a 3-6-1 with only 1 defensive mid when he is not Keane from a couple years ago would be hard to pull off, especially when playing aggressive wingers and 2 linkmen behind the striker... it would also negate Scholes' talent, but then it could be used when he is not playing... I have a slight variation that I would try if I had the reigns...


-------------------Howard
----Brown/Spector---Rio------Heinze

Gary------------------------------------
vvvv--------Keane-------Djemba---
-----------------------------------Ronaldo
-------------<<<<Scholes>>>
---------Rooney
-----------------Ruud

Ok... this is strange I know, but what it does is allow Gary to push very far forward... he is a very consistent crosser of the ball and this is potentially both a 4-4-2 and a 3-6-1. It allows Keane and DjDj to secure the middle of the field and everyone else including Rooney, Ronaldo and Scholes to basically roam about the field which Scholes and Rooney do very well anyway making them virtually unmarkable... but the neatest thing about this formation is it allows Ronaldo to play both flanks... all that is required is for Neville to fall back and Heinze push up on the left with Ronaldo switching flanks and if possesion breaks down while this is happening there is still Keane and DjDj in possition to deal with any threats... It allows DjDj to concentrate on ball winning and lets Keane run the team with the aid of Scholes... Smith can come in as a sub for a Dmid if we have control of the game but need goals, with Scholes dropping back next to Keane/DjDj and Smith assuming Scholes' former role, or he could come in for Rooney as well.

Another great thing about that line up is that it leaves us with a bench that can counter any situation...

Saha
Smith
Kleberson
O'Shea/Brown/Spector/Silvestre
Carroll

However I think what we will see from Fergie and Quieroz this season is alot of Scholes next to Keane or DjDj with Rooney/Smith dropping off of Ruud/Saha, or Rooney/Smith giving Scholes the day off when we play 4-5-1 or even in a 4-4-2 against weak opposition.

[Beast_Ed]

What is the line up for Saturday the 11th ?

----Saha ---- Ruud ---

Giggs ---- Scholes --- Ronaldo
-------Kean-------------
Oshea?----Silvestre---Brown----Neville
----------Howard----------

????

[sitati_kituyi]

Great ideas, but I think we should go with a conventional 4-4-2:
----------------Howard----------------------
GNev--------Rio---------Silvestre--------Heinze
Ronaldo-------Scholes----Keane----------Giggs
------------Rooney/Saha/Smith---Ruud--------

I've noticed that when playing the smaller sides, they tend to flood the midfield rather than the defence. 4-5-1 is a formation we've played against several times, and it does make passing in the midfield quite hard. This is when having so many quality strikers will pay off. We could go 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 in such games with Smith/Rooney playing just off Saha and Ruud. Further creativity comes from the midfield with Giggs, Cristiano and Scholes. Goals will flood in, trust me. Scholes, unmarked, will be superb.

[Beast_Ed]

Christ, I just posted this not knowing about this thread, duh. I'm hoping a moderator will switch my post or perhaps delete it.

Anyway, would we see the following line up on Sat the 11th?

----Saha ---- Ruud ---
--------Scholes
Giggs ----Kean--- Ronaldo
Silvest----Brown---Rio----Neville
----------Howard----------

Also, anyone say anything about scholes and smith playing midfield together ? 3 strikers dutch style ?

Saha ---- Ruud ---
-------Smith----Scholes
Giggs ----Kean -----
Silvest----Brown---Rio----Neville
----------Howard----------

[Motterman]

What is the line up for Saturday the 11th ?

----Saha ---- Ruud ---

Giggs ---- Scholes --- Ronaldo
-------Kean-------------
Oshea?----Silvestre---Brown----Neville
----------Howard----------

????
We won't see Ruud back until the Spurs match, at the earliest.

[Sinter]

Christ, I just posted this not knowing about this thread, duh. I'm hoping a moderator will switch my post or perhaps delete it.

Anyway, would we see the following line up on Sat the 11th?

----Saha ---- Ruud ---
--------Scholes
Giggs ----Kean--- Ronaldo
Silvest----Brown---Rio----Neville
----------Howard----------

Also, anyone say anything about scholes and smith playing midfield together ? 3 strikers dutch style ?

Saha ---- Ruud ---
-------Smith----Scholes
Giggs ----Kean -----
Silvest----Brown---Rio----Neville
----------Howard----------


rio won't be available till the 20th also... plus i'd rather see smith and rvn up top with saha coming off the bench.

[Cou5]

-------------Howard------------------
GNeville------Heinze----Rio------Silvestre
-------------Keane---------------------
Ronaldo---------Scholes----------Giggs
-----------Rooney--------Ruud----------

Subs
Spector
Smith
Saha
DJ2
Carroll
Fletcher
Klebs

This is my submission for a 4-4-2, I would be interested to see the team in a 3-4-1-2.

-------------------Howard----------------------
--------Heinze-----Rio----------Silvestre--------
-------------Keane-------DJ2-------------------
Ronaldo-------------------------------Giggs-----
------------------Rooney------------------------
------------Saha-------------Ruud---------------

Very attacking minded, not too sure about they would defend though...

[Robert25]

Here is my formation:
--------------------Howard-------
G. Neville-----Ferdinand---Heinze/brown----O'Shea/spector---
------------------Keane----------------------
-----------------------Scholes/fletcher------------
Ronaldo--------------------------Giggs------
--------------Rooney/Smith------------------------
---------------------Ruud/saha-------------------

I have to put O'Shea in there on the left though if he struggles Spector will take over.

[Motterman]

--------Howard--------
G. Nev--Rio--Heinze--Spector
------Keane-----------
--------------Fletch------
--Ronaldo------------
-----------------Smith--
-----Ruud-Rooney----

[BillyManutd]

These are the formations that I would like United to use.
3-4-1-2:
----------------Howard---------------
-----Ferdinand---Heinze---Silvestre----
Ronaldo------Keane-----Dj2------Giggs
-------------Scholes/Rooney----------
-----------Ruud--------Smith---------

4-3-2-1:
----------------Howard-----------------
G.Neville---Ferdinand---Silvestre---Heinze
Ronaldo-----------Keane-----------Giggs
-----------Smith--------Rooney---------
------------------Ruud------------------

4-3-3:
-----------------Howard-----------------
G.Neville---Ferdinand---Silvestre---Heinze
-Scholes----------Keane-----------Giggs-
-Ronaldo----------Ruud----------Rooney-

[haven]

Our ideal formation? I'm not sure we really have one. When Giggs plays:

Neville-Ferdinand-Heinze-Silvestre

Ronaldo--Scholes-Keane--Giggs

--------Smith----Ruud-------

Giggs sucks when he moves to far towards the middle. A strict 4-4-2 puts him on the outside, where he's best. I think Rooney is not an all-out striker. Smith is - but works well as a complementary player. Accordingly, I'd pair him with Ruud in a 4-4-2. Smith would also track back to help Keane and Scholes, who might need help defensively.

When Giggs does not play:

Nev--Rio--Heinze--Silvestre
----------Keane------------
---Scholes-----Djemba-Djemba---
-----------Rooney--------
------Ruud--------Ronaldo---

Had a lot of trouble with this one. Yet I think it's going to become apparent that Rooney will play best behind the strikers. Yet where do I put Ronaldo, then? I'd like to put him where DjDj is, but think that's too defensive. But if I put him at striker, I have to ignore Smith and Saha, which I don't like doing. Still, freeing Ronaldo from all defensive responsibility is very tempting. And he'd work well there with Ruud and Rooney. He could drift to either wing, allowing Rooney to advanced to an out and out striker, from time to time, dragging defenders out of position, and supplying more threat on the wings than you usually get from that formation.

And just because it's fun:

Nev--Rio--Silvestre---Heinze
-------DjDj--Keane---------
Smith--Saha---Ruud---Rooney

Need a goal ;)?

[Invincible]

Here's my preferred formations taking into consideration a healthy squad. Long ball ends NOW...

For home games in the prem:

-----------Ruud----Smith-----------

--------------Rooney------------

--Giggs-------DjDj/Keane--------Ronaldo

---Silvestre---Heinze----Rio----G.Neville

----------------Howard----------------


For away games in the prem:

------------Ruud-------------

---------------------Rooney

----Giggs----Scholes/Klebs---Keane/DjDj------Ronaldo


----Silvestre------Heinze-----Rio----------G.Neville

-----------------Howard/Carroll------------


I think with these formations mentioned in here, we have a really good chance of clawing our way back into the title race.

[haven]

Here's my preferred formations taking into consideration a healthy squad. Long ball ends NOW...

For home games in the prem:

-----------Ruud----Smith-----------

--------------Rooney------------

--Giggs-------DjDj/Keane--------Ronaldo

---Silvestre---Heinze----Rio----G.Neville

----------------Howard----------------



.

IO think your midfield gets completely overrun, there. You really need the Keane of old, Vieira, or Gerrard to support a midfield like that.

Incidentally, I think I'd probably put Scholes in over Giggs, and just like him play more central. Scholes has been a far superior player to Giggs lately.

[Invincible]

IO think your midfield gets completely overrun, there. You really need the Keane of old, Vieira, or Gerrard to support a midfield like that.

Incidentally, I think I'd probably put Scholes in over Giggs, and just like him play more central. Scholes has been a far superior player to Giggs lately.
You're probably right, but when I made that formation, I intended for Rooney to be a playmaker in the team, and have Keane or Dj/Dj hold down midfield. But since neither really make it box to box quickly, I see your point.

[johno]

IO think your midfield gets completely overrun, there. You really need the Keane of old, Vieira, or Gerrard to support a midfield like that.

Incidentally, I think I'd probably put Scholes in over Giggs, and just like him play more central. Scholes has been a far superior player to Giggs lately.


I kind of disagree with you... that's basically what we play now anyway... except that Rooney is in place of Scholes... is the difference that great? Nah... I doubt it, in fact Rooney defends better than Scholes...

[haven]

You're probably right, but when I made that formation, I intended for Rooney to be a playmaker in the team, and have Keane or Dj/Dj hold down midfield. But since neither really make it box to box quickly, I see your point.

Tough, though, because it's close to the formation I'd want to play if we had the DM to do it.

[haven]

I kind of disagree with you... that's basically what we play now anyway... except that Rooney is in place of Scholes... is the difference that great? Nah... I doubt it, in fact Rooney defends better than Scholes...

It's not just out and out defending, though. It's providing an outlet for the DM. Few more attacking AMC's in 4-4-2's really defend all that well. But you still need them for the shape of the formation and for pressing the ball (which Scholes can do fairly well).

I might buy that Rooney could play in a flat 4-4-2, though he doesn't have the passing ability of Scholes yet.

[Dark Savante]

Another structure I've been thinking about is when we need to rest Giggs and Ronaldo we can switch to a very solid 4-3-3

-----------Howard
--------Rio--------Brown
GNeville----------------Heinze
----Fletcher-Keane-Djemba
---Rooney--Ruud---Smith

Can effectively double up to a dense 4-5-1 which is very hard to play thru and tricky to get at consistently down the wings..in fact Rooney and Smith offer more defensive pressure then Giggs and Ronaldo as they will actually go in for numerous tackles and not just try and usher their man into someone else.

-----

I've been impressed by the variety of formations posted up any one of which could be feasible in a given situation. What also seems apparent is that Giggs and Scholes could now be dropped if their form is off...or even for tactical reasons...this was almost unheard of before our last signing gave us these extra options.

[triplelake]

I'd rather wait until I see how Heinze and Rooney perform in a red shirt before deciding the ultimate formation. But since everyone is doing it already, what the heck :)

Here's mine:

----------- Howard

G. Neville Rio Brown Silves

-------- Keane

Ronaldo Scholes Giggs

-------- Rooney RVN

Swap Ronaldo, Giggs, Rooney, Smith interchangeably when anyone of them need a rest.

Against lesser oponents or in less important matches:

------ DjDj

Bellion Kleb/Fletcher Giggs/Ronaldo

------- Smith Saha