Man U

PICTURE: Manchester United’s best XI vs QPR with a 4-2-3-1 and two superstars benched

United QPR

More fluid

We still have great confidence in Louis van Gaal as a Manchester United manager. And we believe that every top coach has to react to his current circumstances.

If he does react then, in time, he may decide that while the 3-5-2 worked well at The World Cup and in other leagues, perhaps it isn’t so well-suited to The Premier League.

We certainly can’t think of a really successful example of it in recent times in this country.

It just seems that things might be a little over-complicated in the Manchester United team right now.

Firstly there are three centre backs being used. You could argue that this is a good way of countering the lack of quality that Manchester United have in the centre of defence. But the flip side is that three average players are starting matches instead of two.

It may all click into place in the next few weeks. But we think it might be time to go back to a more tried and tested Premier League formula of 4-2-3-1.

With most of their players fit again, they have all the tools they need to play in this formation.

We think that the build up play in this new formation may indeed have a measure of control. But they lack pace int heir build up. 4 passes are used when 2 will do. And, let’s face it, the best teams get the ball form back to front rapidly, in two or three lovely touches instead of slowly zig-zagging their way up the pitch like the ‘Worm’ champion of 1990 – for the benefit of younger readers, that was a game which was all the rage when computers still had black and green screens.

In Di Maria and Valencia Manchester United have pace and power to burn. When you can take your pick between three of the best finishers in the game then it seems crazy that Manchester United aren’t adopting this formation more.

So we would like to see the end of the 3-5-2 for a while and a return to wing play.

Here’s our team for the QPR game.

Manchester United fans: thoughts please…
United QPR

29 Comments

29 Comments

  1. ahmed mahmoud

    Jan 13, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    This 4 5 1 is the best formation for man u, Van gaal should stick with this formation in any match.

    • KT

      Jan 13, 2015 at 8:02 pm

      4-2-3-1 formation would be good. DeGea,Rafael- Blind-Rojo-Shaw,Carrick-Fellani,DiMaria-Rooney-Valencia,Falcao

  2. Uzor

    Jan 13, 2015 at 11:16 pm

    I’d drop one of carrick and blind 4 herrera or fellaini, maybe valencia 4 januzaj

  3. stewart

    Jan 14, 2015 at 6:56 am

    JUST DONT PLAY 3 AT THE BACK!

  4. olawale Taiwo

    Jan 14, 2015 at 7:29 am

    This is d best formation so far let LVG maintain this one n see what is d result.

  5. Minda

    Jan 14, 2015 at 7:56 am

    It is better to use 4:3:3 formation. Dea Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Carick, Herrera, Blind, Rooney, Falcao, Di Maria.

  6. ideries

    Jan 14, 2015 at 8:04 am

    Wow , must say that formation will fit best. Cause LVG can’t expect the 3-5-2 will fit United , We don’t have the defenders to play the formation , that’s why we must play 4 defenders plz.

  7. Minda Gelay

    Jan 14, 2015 at 8:09 am

    It is better to use 4:3:3 formation. De Gea, Rafael, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw, Carrick Herrera, Di Maria, Rooney, Falcao, Mata.

  8. kepha izack

    Jan 14, 2015 at 8:45 am

    4 2 3 1 this is the best fomartion for man u and we believe his give us what we want for any game

  9. INAMOTO

    Jan 14, 2015 at 8:58 am

    DE GEA VALENCIA SMALLING JONES ROJO, FELLAINI&CARRICK MATA ROONEY DIMARIA FALCAO fellaini/blind, mata/herrera NOTE: smalling deserve XI

  10. Mo

    Jan 14, 2015 at 9:05 am

    ………………………De Gea………………..

    ….Rafeal…….Jones………Rojo……..Shaw……..

    ……Herrera……….Carrick………..Blind…..

    ………….Mata…………………..Di Maria……

    ……………………Rooney……………………..

    That’s a team for disruption HOME or Away..
    Solid midfield , with creativity, flair and good attack…

  11. Enebechi Augustine

    Jan 14, 2015 at 9:20 am

    Our midfielder are not strong enough that’s why our 3 defence normally open up. What am saying is that we {VAN GAAL} should add one midfielder and a defender. Sometimes i have heart attack when watching our strikers play rubbish, to God be the glory that we are still fourth in table, Van Gaal should think twice and let Falcao go his way and bring back our promising young striker {ANGELO HENRIQUEZ}. Finally am confuse why chicharito should be on loan nd Falcao can not deliver us, that idea is not good. We should think twice, because the betterment of this great club {MAN UTD} gives and makes me happy and rich. We need a revolution in our team…….. UP MAN UTD AND LONG LIVE OUR ABLE FAN. LOVE YOU ALL

  12. boris

    Jan 14, 2015 at 9:47 am

    We simply don’t like the 3-5-2 system period its. not working….ahhhhhh…how can van gaal stick to dis formation….we want 4 back formation….period,,,,,….

  13. stevr

    Jan 14, 2015 at 10:23 am

    4231 fmation d best mr gaal

  14. mamus

    Jan 14, 2015 at 10:55 am

    LVG should play 4-3-1-2 and funny subs that destroy the game.
    He should reduce experimenting at this time of the season.
    De Gea
    Rafael-Smalling-Rojo-Shaw
    Dimaria-Fellaini-Herrera
    Mata
    Falcao-Rooney
    -lets not cheat fans on choosing Wilson that because of pace without scoring.
    -saturday we lost the game because of Blacket error sorry to say.
    -when the team is down or no goals subs done should be of experience tactical no mere team player

  15. Javan

    Jan 14, 2015 at 11:10 am

    My team would be :
    De Gea
    Raphael, Jones, Rojo, Shaw
    Herrera, Carrick, Blind
    Rooney, Di Maria
    Falcao

    Btw, Utd have to start with Herrera alot more than they are doing as he has the legs and the drive to get from box to box and connect with the likes of Di Maria and Rooney while being comfortable in possession. Now add that to Carrick and Blind – who would provide cover for Shaw – that would mean having 3 CM who are comfortable with the ball but also have the awareness to cover and link the play further forward…on a side note kind of glad that there is to be no RvP – hopefully this means a start for Falcao!
    And to end off – get rid off the following (theyve been there long enough and given enough chances and still nothing!!) – Evans, Smalling, Fletcher, Anderson – for now. In the summer – RvP, Valencia, Young Fellaini.
    IN:
    Hummels, Godin, Clyne, Strootman/Pogba/Gundagon/Carvalho (2 out of that 4), Reus/Bale, Cuadrado/Mane.

    • Mo

      Jan 14, 2015 at 1:51 pm

      Hey Pal
      we can sit around the same fire and watch the game.. I fully agree with you on the players to be out.. and players in. We chose the same formation and players. And Rooney is not a Midfielder.. his a striker a 9 a deadly killer he just needs the proper feeding with likes of Mata , Di Maria , Herrera etc UNITED WILL BE LIKE ALWAYS ..

    • Cash Dillas

      Jan 14, 2015 at 3:18 pm

      Smalling improved a lot,him and rojo Are the best cb duo we have right now they are tanks together at the back

  16. bbbb

    Jan 14, 2015 at 11:25 am

    van gaal out….proud fool…..confused philosophy

  17. Debrain

    Jan 14, 2015 at 11:36 am

    4-2-3-1 will be ok against qpr that’s….de gea,valencia,smalling,jones,rojo for bacl four….blind,fellaini 2 defensive midfielders….di maria,mata,herrera for creative midfield while rooney will strike.

  18. Banki Tanimu Peter

    Jan 14, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    Wat man u nid is coach not pls

  19. Samuel Adefila

    Jan 14, 2015 at 1:34 pm

    Dat is d best formation LVG must use.Man u need more defend like mat hummel,varane.and attacking midfied like reus,pogba.

  20. alaske

    Jan 14, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    This formation can suit man utd games, bcoz we use it during sir Alex. And man utd has all talents and materials to use this formation

  21. oge

    Jan 14, 2015 at 4:27 pm

    I believe we man united need coach than we need players should van gaal continue with 3 at the back.pls don’t drop falcou for Wilson anymore.It doesnt make more since to see only pace without goals.we are getting more frustrating each match that passes

  22. Umar Aliyu

    Jan 14, 2015 at 4:29 pm

    Is a very good formation

  23. myke

    Jan 14, 2015 at 4:59 pm

    van gaal should jux stop play this formation…..its nt jux working out….as we hv dis inexperience defenders……4-4-2 diamond formation is the solution…or a 4-2-3-1…….pls van gaal……u killing us softly…..advice ur self…bam!!!

  24. Matusala

    Jan 14, 2015 at 5:54 pm

    LVG your phylosophy is EBOLA for 21century plz think 2wise n listen wt funs advise u. Degea rafael macnyr rojo shaw..herera blind dimaria mata…rooney..falcao. Next sesion januzaj&blacket will be worlds best players.now nani develops mature n we need him. Willson is runner like LVG useless phylosophy.

  25. hassan bakic

    Jan 14, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    my best Starting XI De Gea, Rafael,Jones,Rojo,Shaw, Carrick, Rooney, Di Maria, Mata, Valencia and Falcao

  26. nickson juma

    Jan 14, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    van gal is just playing idiotic,3-5-2 is best suited for tornaments!!k and national teams coz is the fastest way of getting goals for the teams that are not organized and used to play together for a whole season.he should stop using that system or resighn …period

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Soccersweep is a site dedicated to the beautiful game. We may not always be right, but we aim to offer integrity and insight, reflecting on the modern game in all its glory, greed and grandeur.

92 Languages!

Contact

Copyright © 2016 Soccersweep. Soccersweep is based in Clapham South, London, UK.

To Top