So what is our best xi?

[Dark Savante]

With so many players contributing to our run of team-based performances that is seemingly emerging, which xi would you say is our best so far this term?

I would like you to throw reputation out of the window! Please don't judge Gabby as the player he was two seasons ago as he hasn't had a chance to play a run of games and definitely hasn't been fit enough to play like he did that season.

I'd like to know what you think our xi should be as there are a few, whom before the season got underway would never have been considered worthy starters, but now, with how they've played, are worth a starting position on merit. Or at the very least, no one could dismiss them straight out the doors. I'm talking about: Vidic, Evra, Ole and Fletcher. None of them would have made my starting xi at the start of the season.

August 2006

I would've gone with:

-----------VDS
-----Rio---------Wes
Gaz-------------------Gabby
------Carrick-Scholes
Park------------------Ronaldo
------------Rooney
------Saha

or

-----------VDS
-----Rio---------Wes
Gaz-------------------Gabby
----------Carrick
---Fletcher------Scholes
Park-------------------Giggs
----------Saha

With Scholes back and him being a supreme influence in midfield, Giggs' starting time looked close to being done. If we consider the ferocity of this league, his age, his hamstring, the length of the season and the huge demands of explosive wing play, it was, at the time, very fair comment to think Giggs would be the cameo man who came on for 2nd halves or played for 60 or 70mins to be replaced by Park..

Now, Giggs decided to reach enlightment as a footballer and not just a winger and has decided that he must once again retrieve his "Boots From the Stone" and become the mythical LOTW yet again, it is unfathomable to not have him in our starting line-up, if fit.

Fletcher and Evra have also gone up many levels this season with many even feeling it harsh that he (Fletch) wasn't in the line-up for the Bolton game. Towards the end of last term Fletcher wasn't even on our bench!! And people were decrying Evra as 'another' bad Fergie purchase...

Anyway, if we were to play the three best teams in the world (Whoever you think they are) in successive games and injury/tiredness was not a factor and there was no need to rotate our best xi, who would you field based on merit?

[warmkjos]

Wow, you left Rooney out of one of your lineups. That is unfathomable. Rooney is probably our best player.

Our Best Eleven:

...........Rooney.......Saha

Giggs............................Ronaldo
............Scholes...Carrick

Heinze............................Neville
..........Vidic........Ferdinand........

.............Van der Sar

Of course, right now I would actually take Evra over Heinze as Heinze is still getting back in form from the injury. We don't actually play a rigid 442 either, as Ronaldo doesn't track back much, Rooney does, Rooney floats around Saha, Carrick stays back further than the other midfielders, Scholes and Carrick push up at times, Heinze/Evra and Neville run up the wings, etc.

Giggs will eventually be replaced by Ronaldo, and Fletcher will take the right midfield spot. I took Vidic over Wes on pure form. Both will be important fixtures in our lineup in the future. Ole of the bench.

[GrodZilla]

Okay.. I'll give this a shot and I will come up with a not so exiting answer but here we go.
-----------VDS
-----Rio---------Vidic
Gaz-------------------Evra
------Carrick-Scholes
Ronaldo---------------Giggs
------------Rooney
------Saha

Would have to be the lineup I'd go with. It's not an easy choice, I would like to include Fletch for his workrate and reliabilty. But the loss of attacking ability would be too great.

The fact is that the more I look at the team we have I think that our best chance to beat a top 3 side with this team is to do it the Barcelona way. Simply to outplay them with attacking football. That is why Evra gets the nod over Heinze. I could put Fletch in the team but he's not a good enough ball winner against a top 3 team. We'd have to ave a go t them and keep them on their backheels for most of the game. To be honest, I think that this team could do that. It would have to, as we do not have the midfield anchor to shut down a top side.

So screw balance, this is an unbalanced team that has weaknessesbut also is pure class going forward.

[The Guv'nor]

But is our attacking ability enough to compensate for our lack of a physical presence in midfield against the best?

If it is then the side should be like this I think;

--------------------------------VDS*---------------------------------------

-----------------------Rio------------------Vidic-----------------------------

G.Nev**-----------------------------------------------------------------Evra


------------------------Carrick-----------Scholes----------------------------



-----Ronaldo--------------------Rooney--------------------------Giggs-------


----------------------------------Saha--------------------------------------

With the front 4 interchanging as usual. *Wouldn't mind if it was Kus, er, ''Koozy'':p **Gary's form hasn't been great and I'd be tempted with Wes at right back, but he sometimes loses all confidence when faced with having to do something offensively - very bizarre

If it's not then you have to introduce The Fletcher to sort things out:cool:

--------------------------------VDS*---------------------------------------

-----------------------Rio------------------Vidic-----------------------------

G.Nev**-----------------------------------------------------------------Evra


--------------Fletcher----------Carrick------------Scholes--------------------




---------------------Ronaldo--------------Rooney----------------------------


---------------------------------Saha---------------------------------------

No Giggs? Well, I'm not completely decided on this yet, so its toss up between the above or this one;

--------------------------------VDS*---------------------------------------

-----------------------Rio------------------Vidic-----------------------------

G.Nev**-----------------------------------------------------------------Evra


----------------Scholes---------Fletcher------------Giggs--------------------




---------------------Ronaldo--------------Rooney----------------------------


---------------------------------Saha---------------------------------------

In the first option there are 2 positions Giggs can come into anyway, and he could be used as an ''impact'' player.

[samabachan]

The team we played against Bolton, where the only question is Heinze or Evra. Simple.

[listen_up_fergie]

The team we played against Bolton, where the only question is Heinze or Evra. Simple.

I agree...I was delighted to finally see Giggs, Ronaldo, Saha, and Rooney all on the pitch at the same time. IMO those are our top four attacking players and deserve to play. Carrick-Scholes is our best midfield combo, despite their defensive shortcomings.
The backline picks itself, with the exception of LB - where I must say Evra has really staked a claim for a regular starting spot. Heinze still doesn't look 100%, and if you consider the number of times he's played since his debut season at the club, you would realize that expecting him to reproduce that kind of form immediately will be a big ask.

[benni...]

Until we get a proper Dmid the only team I would ever play is the team that played against Bolton. Evra isnt exactly better than Heinze defensively, but he gives a hell of a lot more going forward. While going with the attacking theme, I chose him instead of Heinze.

[Stud83]

I cannot believe some people are still considering 1 forward formations and varieties of 4-5-1, when it's clear our best games over the past several seasons (and especially this season) were in a huge part due to a 4-4-2 formation.

Back 4 should always be the same with Evra/Heinze splitting time at LB (+ Neville, Rio, Vidic). I'd actually go with Evra - he's been great lately.
Front 2 - Rooney, Saha obviously.

Midfields:

Fletcher---Scholes---Carrick---Giggs (1)
or
Ronaldo---Scholes--Carrick---Giggs (2)
or
Fletcher--Scholes---Carrick--Ronaldo (3)
or
Ronaldo---Scholes--Fletcher--Giggs (4)

Obviously, depending on situation and strength of the opponent, players would get rested from time to time - the only constant is formation.
The 4 formations could be used interchangebly, but I'd favor playing Fletch against better midfields and (2) when playing against weaker opponents, who'll play a variety of 10-0-0 formation against us.

[Republic of Mancunia]

Anyway, if we were to play the three best teams in the world (Whoever you think they are) in successive games and injury/tiredness was not a factor and there was no need to rotate our best xi, who would you field based on merit?

The Guv'nor and Stud83 seem to be thinking along the same lines as me.

-----------VDS------------

Neville---Rio---Vidic---Evra

Fletcher-Carrick-Scholes-Giggs*

-----Saha-----Rooney-------

*By far the most difficult decision to make, Giggs' experience in big matches would just win out over Ronaldo and I still think he has the edge defensively over Ronnie despite the latter's recent improvement in this area.

Now I absolutely love the traditional 4-4-2 with 2 flying orthodox wingers and before the start of the season could never imagine going away from that but because of a couple of reasons I've had to.

1. Still not convinced 100% by a Scholes/Carrick pairing in the middle of the park as far as defensive duties go without some sort of protection next to them. The partnership is winning me over but against the 3 best teams in the world, who no doubt have quality in midfield themselves I still think they'd struggle to win the battle without a little assistance, especially if they employ a 5 man midfield against us. There's time for a Giggs-Scholes-Carrick-Ronaldo midfield to win me over but at this current moment in time I'm not sure we can just go out and dictate the game by playing our best attacking line-up against allcomers.

I was watching "the last word" on Sky Sports last night and Andy Gray was saying that the impressive thing about United on Saturday was that we did go with that midfield and were more interested in causing them problems than worrying about what they did to us. He contrasted this to Liverpool who when they played them at the Reebok tried to match them like-for-like and ended up losing as he felt it was playing to Bolton's strengths rather than concentrating on their own. I'm just repeating what I've said already but I'm not sure just yet that we can do that against the very best although it goes against alot of my basic philsophy of the game. Doing it against Bolton, who are no mugs mind you was impressive and if they continue to play like that I may be won over soon.

2. Fletcher's form, simple as that really.

If Fletch had been doing in the middle what he's been doing on the right-side of midfield, although slightly tucked in then it's Carricks place in the side that would be in severe jeapordy and Ronaldo would get the nod on the right.

Now that I've hopefully solidified the midfield it's Evra who gets the nod at LB, mainly for his attacking threat and would give the oppo more things to think about although I do think he's coming to grips with the Prem and finding his feet in general in the United system as far as defence goes. I know some don't like it when he dives into tackles but to be fair that's one of Gabby's weaknesses too. If the opposition for these 3 games were all known for having big, physical players then I would choose Gabby, otherwise it's Evra as he's certainly making me eat my words right now.

Quite a difficult question to answer overall and ideally I'd still be looking to tailor team-selection to the problems I think the opposition may cause us even though it makes me slightly uncomfortable but that line-up would probably give me the most sleep at night if I were the boss.

[Attack Attack Attack]

So everybody is would take a fully fit Evra over a fully fit Heinze (assuming they both were of course)?

[benni...]

It really depends imo. If we were playing Barcelona, then Heinze. If we were playing this new Real Madrid, then I'd go with Evra.

[Numquam Moribimur]

4-4-2 ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK


Ronaldo-scholes-Carrick- Giggys

[Achtung]

I'm still in the camp that believes that we don't have a single "Best XI" per se, even against the theoretical three best teams in the world, since they're obviously all a bit different.

For instance, against a team like Madrid, the defensive abilities of Fletcher could displace Carrick, especially since the latter's quick passing might not be so important of an attribute against RM's offensive-minded fullbacks, who would be eaten alive by a Giggs-Ronaldo wing tandem. Whereas against Chelsea, Barcelona, or Milan--three more defensively disciplined teams with stronger central midfields--Carrick and Scholes would play well off of one another.

In back, Evra could provide more up the flanks obviously, but against a team playing two solid forwards (or Chelsea, with Drogba and "forward" Lampard), you have to go with Heinze and his defensive strengths.

Rooney is quite simply the X-factor, and he belongs in every team for the simple fact that, as great as he is at playing with the team, we all know of his ability to create a goal when it seems none is coming. Looking at a goal like his second one against Bolton reminds you what he can do.

[skeeta]

GK: Edwin VAN DER SAR

RB: Gary NEVILLE
CB: Wes BROWN
CB: Mikael SILVESTRE
LB: Patrice EVRA

RW: Ji Sung PARK
CM: Wayne ROONEY / Paul SCHOLES
CM: Darren FLETCHER
LW: Kieran RICHARDSON

FW: Louis SAHA
FW: Alan SMITH

Good Shape and Well Balanced

[Dark Savante]

Some of you are skirting!!! lol gimme one xi if your life depended on that set!

I am surprised how many are won over by a midfield that completely throws defending out the window. It's definitely something new and daring in today's mundane DM era. I'm on record as one who said Carrick-Scholes in a 4-4-2 with two proper wingers could not work. I am still not sure it can. I guess we won't find out whether it can till we play teams who can retain the ball or actually use it to a standard that makes us wary of losing possession.

I think the Arsenal game was way too early in the season to be conclusive. Our team is still only finding its feet and creating a full xi understanding. If we are bold enough to line up attack 4-4-2 in clutch games and come through it, I'll be a convert.

I have to say, the question isn't so easy...imo... LOTW is undroppable, imo. Ronaldo is playing his best football ever for us, Scholes is a lock, so it comes down to Fletcher vs. Carrick.... Picking one from the two will dramatically alter how we play and how we can play. The question is...are they equally effective?

[benni...]

The reason why Im all for the Carrick Scholes midfield, is because its a lot better than Oshea and Scholes.

[Achtung]

Some of you are skirting!!! lol gimme one xi if your life depended on that set!

Oh alright, you! :rolleyes: :D

First, I would require the "Golden PSP". ;)

Second, I would summon forth these grand eleven men against the monster "Greatestteamintheworld":

----------van der Sar----------
-Neville-Ferdinand-Vidic-Heinze-
Ronaldo-Scholes-Fletcher-Giggs
----Saha-----------Rooney----

Should up to three of my valiant fighters become incapable of continuing in the battle against the monster, either though sickness, fatigue, or cruel, cruel, injury, there shall be five servants ready to take their place:

Kuczczak
Evra
Carrick
Smith
Solskjaer

And thus the monster shall be slain through the courage, honor, and beautiful passing and movement of thine football team. Goest forward now!!!

[Dark Savante]

Oh alright, you! :rolleyes: :D

First, I would require the "Golden PSP". ;)

Second, I would summon forth these grand eleven men against the monster "Greatestteamintheworld":

----------van der Sar----------
-Neville-Ferdinand-Vidic-Heinze-
Ronaldo-Scholes-Fletcher-Giggs
----Saha-----------Rooney----

Should up to three of my valiant fighters become incapable of continuing in the battle against the monster, either though sickness, fatigue, or cruel, cruel, injury, there shall be five servants ready to take their place:

Kuczczak
Evra
Carrick
Smith
Solskjaer

And thus the monster shall be slain through the courage, honor, and beautiful passing and movement of thine football team. Goest forward now!!!
There! Got it outta you in the end ^__^ Now on to Stud...

Now I am going to consider you the Parka wearing mod :-D

[Stud83]

As of today, against the best team ever, I'd go with

-----------VDS------------
Neville---Rio---Vidic---Evra

Fletcher-Carrick-Scholes-Giggs

-----Rooney---Saha--

[The Guv'nor]

Ok, fine, I'd go with

--------------------------------VDS---------------------------------------

-----------------------Rio------------------Vidic-----------------------------

G.Nev-------------------------------------------------------------------Evra


----------------Scholes---------Fletcher------------Giggs--------------------




---------------------Ronaldo--------------Rooney----------------------------


---------------------------------Saha---------------------------------------


Fletcher's energy gives him the nod over Carrick