In theory di Maria could operate the wingback role just as well as Young or Valencia because of his work rate and engine although it would be a massive waste of his talents so I hope we are only planning on using him as a winger or wide forward.

Don't forget he has played well centrally recently too although I haven't seen enough of him there to give judgement.

Need to get everyone fit first

I hope you're right with the impending new CM!! He needs to be a absolute monster to cover the deficiencies of our back four. I actually wouldn't mind De Jong because thats what we need - a spoiler. What would your back four be TopLad?

Perhaps you should start playing football,its not supposed to be hard,you're just making it that way.

Why play Di Maria at wingback? Play him as a winger, where he is most effective. Let him play. Van Gaal does prefer 4-3-3.

Jos, I firmly believe we'll get a new CM this week, Van Gaal can't have been impressed by our two outings already. De Jong would be a very good but imo

Back four would be
Rafael ---- Smalling----Rojo----Shaw

Smalling is my preferred out of him and jones tbh

Perhaps Arsenal should start winning titles. It's not hard. We've won 5 of them since your last one.

I'm sure a CM is still on the clubs mind. At no point have the club stated money spent on one area could harm money spent anywhere else.

We have plenty of money, Woodward has said so, it means we will have to pay more for players but it should also mean me have the money to buy what we need.

Back four would be
Rafael ---- Smalling----Rojo----Shaw

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think Evans will be first choice when fit.

Be a long time before you win another,enjoy the history.

I think di Maria as wingback would be pointless too, just pointing out he would be no worse than Valencia or Young who we seem to be happy playing there.

I really hope this means a move towards a 433 or 4231.

A quality defensive CM as well as offing the support to our defence will also allow both Herrera and Mata to concentrate further forward where they are both more effective.

Front 6 of

--------New CM--------Herrera
--------------------Mata------------
Di Maria-----------------Januzaj/Rooney
----------------RVP/Rooney---------

Looks very tasty indeed.
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As dangerous as that is going forward, how open will your team be defensively?

That team will get bulldozed by the likes of city and chelsea

-------------------------De Gea

Rafael-----Jones/Evans----Evans/Rojo---------Shaw

---------------New CM-----------Herrera
-----------------Adnan/Mata/Kagawa

Rooney----------------------------------------------Di Maria
-----------------------------RVP

comment by Castor Troy (U8700)
posted 4 minutes ago
That team will get bulldozed by the likes of city and chelsea
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Surely depends on the new CM?

Boss on 3-5-2: "It fits in more players. When I play 4-3-3, I must choose between Rooney & van Persie, for example."

That was Van Gaal before the game today, he's going to stick to it till we get a competent midfield.

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Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I agree, I'm not a fan of 352 at all. The players don't seem comfortable.

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Not a chance of Di Maria playing wing back. And if Van Gaal does the unthinkable and plays him there........then he's not the manager I thought he is and he's not the manager I want at United.

He won't though. I'm pretty sure 3-5-2 is just a temporary measure. I bleeding hope it is anyway.

The guy has said time and again that the new system will take 3 months or so to get right. That was without 11 injured players.

You were all jerking about the formation a few weeks ago.

--------------De Gea
Rafael--E/S--Rojo---Shaw
---------Herrera--Jones
di Maria------Mata-------Januzaj
---------------Rooney

This is the strongest team I believe we have right now

[I am aware I hate players in the wrong position, but Jones is our best battler in the middle]

Plus, the team doesn't look so bad!

Fitting Rooney and RVP into the same side and keeping them happy and playing well has been our problem for over 2 years. Have we not learnt anything?

LVG needs to have balls and realise this and drop one of them for the good of the team. If he genuinely believes he can get both playing well and happy then give him a chance but I honestly don't see it and never has since the day we bought RVP.

Rooney has just been named captain so he's not being dropped. Neither will RVP.

Mata should be in line for the chop just as much as Rooney/RVP. His lack of mobility and pace is a serious weakness in our game.

I think RVP has another year or two in him tbh. But we need more pace up front. I don't see how Mata, Di Maria, Rooney and RVP can all fit into one team and compliment each other well.

Our new CM has to be more defensive minded tbh. That way our attacking players can flourish.