...and you take over as manager. What's your starting XI v Villa and how would you play?
It doesn't need to be the way you'd necessarily play going forward but the team you'd choose to go and get a result.
Here's mine:
Onana
Mazraoui
Maguire
De Ligt
Martinez
Dalot
Ugarte
Casemiro
Mainoo
Rashford
Hojlund
Not the most attractive looking team but one that I think could be solid whilst also offering a threat on the break and at set pieces. Dalot can stay wide and Martinez can do that thing he tries to do going into midfield. Casemiro tasked with being box to box (as he doesn't really run back when he's supposed to anyway so may as well be there!) with Mainoo and Ugarte behind. I'd select Bruno for that role but I think his head has gone a bit.
Pick this team and we'd win 2-1...
Ten Hag is sacked today
posted on 4/10/24
comment by Peks - Comanche Moon (U6618)
posted 1 hour, 30 minutes ago
Here's mine:
Onana
Mazraoui
Maguire
De Ligt
Martinez
Dalot
Ugarte
Casemiro
Peks
Rashford
Hojlund
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The missing link!
posted on 4/10/24
comment by Fred's Shooting Coach (U18999)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by Vengeance (U23079)
posted 1 hour, 57 minutes ago
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 14 minutes ago
My back four could be any of what we have available, it doesn’t really matter to me for now because the issues are what is in front of them.
I would then have a midfield three of Casemiro, Ugarte and Mainoo.
The front three would be Garnacho, Zirkzee and Diallo.
I would never ever play 4-2-3-1 again and I would have shot any of my coaching staff who suggested it.
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This!
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4 2 3 1 is what ended Ole - it does not work for us.
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Yet we keep finding reasons to inexplicably persist with it. Really bizarre.
posted on 4/10/24
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 11 minutes ago
.........Onana
Maz..D Ligt..Martinez..Dalot
......Ugarte..Mainoo
Amad.....Zirkzee.....Rashy
............Hojlund
Punt it up to Zirkzee and hope for the best.
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I quite like this. Or Mount for Zirkzee with a more genuine 4-3-3 and bringing Mainoo into the game.
posted on 4/10/24
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 34 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 1 hour, 11 minutes ago
.........Onana
Maz..D Ligt..Martinez..Dalot
......Ugarte..Mainoo
Amad.....Zirkzee.....Rashy
............Hojlund
Punt it up to Zirkzee and hope for the best.
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I quite like this. Or Mount for Zirkzee with a more genuine 4-3-3 and bringing Mainoo into the game.
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They are too short for my punt and hope tactics.
posted on 4/10/24
You know it's getting serious when we're getting nostalgic for Fellaini-ball!
posted on 4/10/24
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 hours, 9 minutes ago
Seen a lot of people having a go at the likes of De Ligt and Zirkzee, but Ugarte looks utter garbage.
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Reminds me of Fred quite a bit. Covers ground well but not reliable on the ball at all.
posted on 4/10/24
I honestly believe I could put out the same team as ETH and just by communicating more effectively what I want them to do, would have a better result.
I don't really think our issue right now is what system to play or who is best where - we are so low of confidence, that the personnel almost isn't a factor right now.
Just the boost of someone new giving the instructions, just reminding the players what good players they are, to express themselves, making sure defence is well drilled, cut down space etc etc (sounds simple eh ) would free them up and play with a bit more enjoyment etc. The issue is in the head and confidence - the Utd shirt feels heavy right now, let's lighten it a bit
posted on 5/10/24
Onana
Maz de ligt Martinez Dalot
Casemiro Ugarte
JZ
AMAD HOJLUND RASHFORD
with nacho, mount, Bruno or one foot in the grave to come on and make an impact
Amad and Rashy will need to work hard backwards also. The whole XI need to work much harder than they are doing.
posted on 5/10/24
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 1 day, 2 hours ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 hours, 9 minutes ago
Seen a lot of people having a go at the likes of De Ligt and Zirkzee, but Ugarte looks utter garbage.
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Reminds me of Fred quite a bit. Covers ground well but not reliable on the ball at all.
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I’d argue he looks a lot worse than Fred both on and off the ball.
posted on 5/10/24
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 1 day, 2 hours ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 hours, 9 minutes ago
Seen a lot of people having a go at the likes of De Ligt and Zirkzee, but Ugarte looks utter garbage.
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Reminds me of Fred quite a bit. Covers ground well but not reliable on the ball at all.
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I’d argue he looks a lot worse than Fred both on and off the ball.
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A bit early to be judging him, no?
He’s not a ball playing midfielder, he’s a destroyer. But whether he’ll be good enough for us and where we want to be we don’t know yet. Same with JZ and DeLigt and even Maz who has clearly started very well. But it’s way too early.