After just a few shaky results at the start of the season many of the newspapers have already stuck the knife in about Manchester United’s new formation.
Of course it may never work. But to write it off, as many have, this early seems a little silly.
It would surely be more of a surprise if a completely new system DID work immediately. Most of these players are used to 4-4-2 and it will take time.
And we actually feel that it’s a great system. Over the years Manchester United have regularly been outnumbered in midfield in the big European games and against title rivals.
Fergie sometimes countered this by playing a 4-5-1 but the players never looked completely at ease with it as the system clipped their wings and made them less potent on the flanks – their traditional way of attacking.
The great thing about the 3-5-2, when it works, is the versatility it affords. It gives Manchester United numbers in midfield but, with the right wing backs in place, also maintains the width in the side.
It also allows for versatility in the defensive three and it’s not inconceivable that Manchester United could drop a midfielder into the heart of the defence this season.
Last year we saw Steven Gerrard regularly sitting alongside his centre backs when the pressure was on. His distribution skills also made him a potent weapon for starting attacks.
And with United still short of top quality in defence we may well see Michael Carrick perform the same task this season.
Manchester United lost one of their best passers of the ball when Rio Ferdinand left the club and Carrick is one of the few squad members with a similar range of and quality of distribution.
At 33 he’s lost some of his energy and mobility but he can still do a great job as part of a back three if Daley Blind impresses in the midfield holding role. And recent reports suggest that he could be back ahead of schedule.
He can offer the sort of composure and distribution that Manchester United will lack without the brilliance of Rio.
Manchester United fans: can Carrick do a Rioesque job for United this season?
