The £57m midfield or other variable solutions to Scholes being out.

[Dark Savante]

So what about this:

--------------VDS
--------Brown--Vidic/Silvestre( :( )
G.N---------------------------Evra
---------Rio-------Rooney
Ronaldo--------------------Park/Giggs
-------------------Rossi/Saha
----------RVN

:confused:

I would like to see this:

--------------VDS
--------Brown--Vidic
G.N-------------------------Evra
---------Rio-------Jones
Ronaldo--------------------Giggs
-------------------Rooney
----------RVN

How do we fix the absence of Scholes, suggestions?

[RedFriday]

What about Rio CB with Vidic. Push Brown wide right and Fletch in midfield?

[johno]

1st of all... a Rio/Rooney partnership in midfield would be a favorite of mine.. just cuz we'd see alot of Rossi.

I think if we recall Jones then he could make a CM partnership with Fletcher or Smith when he returns to fitness.

I'd love to see Rio/Jones because Jones will help Rio defensively but also be allowed to do as much attacking as he likes and I think that would be the strongest pairing.

Of course we could steal De Jong to help allieviate our problems as well, but it may be too late.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

How do we fix the absence of Scholes, suggestions?

We have three options.

1. Sign someone immediately. Even short-term cover would do. That gives us the option of getting an attacking player to replace him or getting a defensive player and pushing Fletcher further forward.

2. Play Rooney in a forward midfield position (diamond if required) and play Rossi with Ruud.

3. Recall Jones.

[listen_up_fergie]

If we're not going to add a creative midfielder to the squad even on a short-term basis, we need to either employ Rooney/Rossi in a diamond on top of a Giggs-Smith-Fletcher midfield, or recall Jones. This would actually be the perfect opportunity for Jones to break into the team; its a gamble because it seems Jones is developing quite nicely at NEC, but if his ultimate dream is to play for United than this would be the best move given our current situation.

[MtP07]

Either Rooney as AM or bring back Jones. I would prefer it if we brought back Jones.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

Either Rooney as AM or bring back Jones. I would prefer it if we brought back Jones.

That depends. I would much rather Jones was allowed to continue his development. Rossi deserves a chance and is ready. It will be a difficult decision for Ferguson to weigh up.

[johno]

you still have to balance that with the fact that Jones is playing at LM for NEC and as such isn't making himself as ready for a campaign w/ us next year at CM as if he were playing CM here. I agree in spirit though, Rossi needs more chances.

[Vermont Red]

I'm thinking that we go to the Christmas tree. Rooney and Ronaldo playing behind Ruud, backed by Fletcher flanked by who cares. Gary and Evra running up the wings and Rio and Brown in the middle.

[johno]

the christmas tree will become the 433 btw.

[Vermont Red]

the christmas tree will become the 433 btw.

Don't be so negative, it could become 451. :rolleyes:

[50 Euro]

the christmas tree will become the 433 btw.
Sad to say (at least for the haters of it), I think this will mean the return of the 4-3-3...
I'd personally like to see this tried:
----Rossi------Ruud----
--------Rooney--------
Giggs-------------CRon
--------Fletch---------
Evra--Brown--Rio--Gary

[benni...]

Honestly, I would rather see us go out and buy another midfielder, and let Jones continue his development and let Rooney stay up top. Rossi will get his chances. Everyone at the club rates him highly. He will get plenty of chances.

The reason why I want Rooney to stay as a forward is because even though he works hard, he isnt a Darren Fletcher, or Alan Smith when it comes to working hard and in the midfield, you need that. He would just burn out quicker. (Though I would love to see England Fail at the world cup)

[Stud83]

I'll agree with people suggesting we play Rooney in the midfield role, maybe even as a DM. We'll lose in attack, but at least have a serious presense in the middle of the pitch.

Smth like
---------Defense--------
Park---Fletch---Rooney---Giggs
-------RVN----Saha (Rossi)---

[StrikerCW]

I'm thinking that we go to the Christmas tree. Rooney and Ronaldo playing behind Ruud, backed by Fletcher flanked by who cares. Gary and Evra running up the wings and Rio and Brown in the middle.
good one and all. haha.

But anyways. I agree with the rest of you. Have Jones back for Mid, but also have Rooney drop back to AM on occassion as I dunno if Jones will be able to handle the entire rest of the season starting. Maybe he can, I guess we'll see.

[StrikerCW]

Honestly, I would rather see us go out and buy another midfielder, and let Jones continue his development and let Rooney stay up top. Rossi will get his chances. Everyone at the club rates him highly. He will get plenty of chances.

The reason why I want Rooney to stay as a forward is because even though he works hard, he isnt a Darren Fletcher, or Alan Smith when it comes to working hard and in the midfield, you need that. He would just burn out quicker. (Though I would love to see England Fail at the world cup)
He hasn't been getting his chances before now.. if Ruud and Rooney stay up, why would he get more under Fergie?

[benni...]

I'm thinking that we go to the Christmas tree. Rooney and Ronaldo playing behind Ruud, backed by Fletcher flanked by who cares. Gary and Evra running up the wings and Rio and Brown in the middle.

I agree with this. Just give Rooney and Ronaldo the lisence to roam. But then when we get a Scholes replacment and go back to the traditional formation.

[listen_up_fergie]

Honestly, I would rather see us go out and buy another midfielder, and let Jones continue his development and let Rooney stay up top. Rossi will get his chances. Everyone at the club rates him highly. He will get plenty of chances.

The reason why I want Rooney to stay as a forward is because even though he works hard, he isnt a Darren Fletcher, or Alan Smith when it comes to working hard and in the midfield, you need that. He would just burn out quicker. (Though I would love to see England Fail at the world cup)

The problem is finding a cheap short-term option who'd be willing to join United on a one-year contract, or on the other hand spending quite a but of money on a good long-term prospect.
I like Johno's suggestion about Nigel de Jong, but not particularly as Scholes' short-term replacement. He isn't exactly a creative-type midfielder, and I would want him in the squad as a replacement for first O'Shea (as the defense/midfield utility man) and then eventually Neville.

[benni...]

He hasn't been getting his chances before now.. if Ruud and Rooney stay up, why would he get more under Fergie?

Before, we were competing for the EPL title, but now, its over. So he will probably play a lot more, seeing as there isnt much to play for. Apart from second. Besides, though Rossi is good, he isnt going to become a starter asap.

If he doesnt get chances this season so what?

[StrikerCW]

Before, we were competing for the EPL title, but now, its over. So he will probably play a lot more, seeing as there isnt much to play for. Apart from second. Besides, though Rossi is good, he isnt going to become a starter asap.

If he doesnt get chances this season so what?
Why are you asking me? I was just pointing out that he hasn't so far although you said you wanted him to AND you wanted Rooney to stay up.

I see what you say about the EPL though. TBH I don't think that is going to apply this season because Ferguson is going to have a run for his money against Lpoo for 2nd TBH.