Its probably one of the hardest formations to master imo

I mentioned this on a thread earlier on. Van Gaal has been experimenting with it for the Netherlands, so it's something we could potentially see.

Unlikely to be something we'd see permanently but it could be explored.

Jones would be key to the back three, in my opinion, given his ability to move into midfield and right back.

Doubt we'd see Kagawa and Mata in the same team behind the two up top, with it likely a new cm, or even two would be brought in, they'd play there instead with Mata ahead were it to be tried out, I'd imagine.

I'ld stick Carrick in as one of the CBs. He can help build play from the back.

Seen it at Liverpool under Kenny and it worked really well especially away from home. And Brendan has tried it too but I think his 3-5-2 has been less successful.

From what I saw if you have 2 very energetic attacking wingbacks it can work really well. Biggest negative I noticed was BR's, the wingbacks dropped back and it turns into a 5-3-2 this is where you get over run in midfield as most teams will set up 4-5-1 vs the bigger teams like Newcastle did against us earlier on this season.

Cabaye was left with Acres of space in midfield and there were warning signs before he scored that 40 yard screamer too. And I remember saying this happened the week or a few weeks before too playing 3-5-2 it was turning into a 5-3-2 even a 5-2-3 as a midfielder wasn't tracking back. And against a 5 man midfield it cost us a few points, like the 2-2 draw vs 10 man Newcastle.

I would say the 3-5-2 under Kenny was more defensive minded though, and he used it on trips to Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford and came away with wins If my memory is correct. Meireles was scoring the winners and it was working really well with Kelly RB Johnson LB.

Yeah I would imagine that kags would likely drop out if we get a new CM. Most of the energy would probably come from Rooney in the free role and Jones coming out from the back like DTKF pointed out. (I missed your post earlier btw, not trying to steal credit!!) And I agree that it's definitely difficult to master, but that is mainly because you need a back three that compliment each other. I think those three have the right blend to make it work. Especially against weaker opposition who would allow Jones to bomb on from the back.

I think this season showed that we are to predictable when we play with two wide men and this might freshen it up a bit.

Mamadou, yeah there are many pros and cons.

If I remember rightly, Brendand switched to a 352 against Everton last season because they were losing the midfield battle and it got you back into the game.

I think it depends on the personnel. Juve play it and don't often lose the midfield battle due to their incredible trio in the middle.

I think it's weak against teams that are dangerous down the flanks because they can double up on the wing back and pull the midfield and defence about the place if they're having to cover.

I think this is one of the advantages of Phil Jones in that he can move into midfield or right back to effectively change the shape of the team, in theory.

I wouldn't try it against a top team but against smaller sides it could be worth trying out.

Yeah I remember Liverpool playing it. And Jose has used it quite frequently. With Rafa and Shaw I think we have enough quality going forward to make it work. Rooney can also drift wide or deeper. I wouldn't recommend it against the big teams as I agree that the wingbacks can get pushed too far back.
The main problem is energy in midfield, which will be a problem for us no matter what formation we play with the midfield we have.

A clever CB who will step into the DM role when outnumbered in midfield would be preferable too, under BR that was Skrtel and well lets say he wasn't suited to it at all imo. Ideally needs to be good on the ball too as if and when he wins it stepping out of the back 3 needs to use the ball well.

Think Carrick could play the role, or even Jones could give it a shot, or just buy Hummels. I agree Darren its an interesting tactic/formation and I have seen the pros and cons and sit on the fence. I think its very hard to perfect and its probably why you see few teams using it.

The main problem is energy in midfield, which will be a problem for us no matter what formation we play with the midfield we have.
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Aye, its a problem because without the ball players will naturallys (the wingbacks) drop into a 5-3-2, at this point you can be cause 5vs3 in midfield, 5vs2 in midfield if your attacking mid is lazy. you need very hard working midfielders and I think a clever CB in the middle would help if hes good n capable enough to step out into more of a DM role from time to time.

Yep for sure. Especially as it's so demanding on the wing backs.

I suppose a back four with a diamond in midfield would be a better way of trying to get the best out of Rooney, RVP and Mata.

But as with the 352, it once again exposes the full backs, however, at least the back four would be more comfortable with it than the back three.

We experimented with it in the CL under Fergie but the midfield didn't look that comfortable when out of possession and being dragged out to the wing to help the full backs and while it gave us more dominance in possession, we lack cutting edge trying to play through the middle with Rooney at the tip of the diamond - something I suppose Mata would improve upon.

The midfield would need to be a lot more athletic with Carrick in there spraying the ball around.

I don't think Rooney would have any problem dropping deeper to help out the midfield. he would probably end up deeper than mata to be honest. The onus is definitely on the full backs, but all 3 of those cbs have played fb before and would be able to shuffle across to help out if needed. The idea would be to do this against teams that we expect to dominate, not teams that will push us back. Either way, it looks like we'll get a good look at how the Dutch do it during the world cup.

Something ill be interested to see if he uses it at the wc or at utd anyway.

Slight flaw in your plan. Those are our only CB's at the club. (Keane isn't good enough).

So we would need to sign at least two CB's for cover. And if we revert to 4 at the back we'll have a number of unhappy CB's on the bench should they all stay fit.

At the moment, we don't have the players for 3-5-2.

So, no!

I would argue that we don't have the players to play any formation right now. I think we struggled to dominate games at home this season because our wingers are the worst at the club for as long as I can remember. However, in Rafael and Shaw/evra we have good attacking wing backs, and it also accommodates our 'big 3' of Mata, Rooney and RVP.

Although I agree that we don't have enough cover at cb to play this week in, week out, I think the formation could be used at times this season when we need to dominate teams at home, and can push the wing backs in.