What do you think is our best XI?

[davidmichael]

De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Shaw, Rooney, Carrick, Pogba, Mhkitaryan, Ibrahamovic, Martial

 

[sosolid4u09]

ddg
darmian bailly smalling shaw
schneiderlin herrera
mata
miki ibra martial

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

GK: David De Gea

RB: Valencia (in most games, bigger games I'd go for Darmain as he is better defensively imo)
CB: Bailly
CB: Smalling
LB: Shaw

DM: Schneiderlin/Carrick (depending on the game/fitness)

CM: Pogba
CM: Herrera

AMR: Mkhitaryan
AMC: Rooney
AML: Martial

ST: Ibrahimovic

11 outfield players We'd be unstoppable!

The clue is in your username @Ryan Giggs 11

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Against 'small teams' (4231)

De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Shaw, Poggers, Schneiderlin, Micki, Rooney, Martial, Ibrahimovic

Against 'big teams' (433)

De Gea, Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Shaw, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Pogba, Micki, Ibrahimovic, Martial

I think Schneiderlin will be far better this year. He's an adrenaline player, and hopefully Mourinho lets him be the nut case he used to be at Southampton. LVGs tactics were defensively-sided where we went into games scared of conceding because we had such a shocking attack. We've now got one of the best creative midfielders in the world, one of the world's most deadly strikers and probably Pogba to force things from the middle so we shouldn't be scared on conceding because we've brought in 3 players (pogba pending) capable of 50 goals between themselves.

 

[Ryan Giggs 11]

11 outfield players We'd be unstoppable!

The clue is in your username @Ryan Giggs 11

I know lol, I wrote that on very little sleep!

 

[Ish]

De Gea (c)
Valencia - Bailly - Smalling - Shaw
Carrick
Mkhitaryan - Pogba
Rashford --- Ibrah --- Martial
​

God I cant help but hope Rooney picks up a niggly injury and we get to see this eleven all starting at some point.

I like the look of that team. And the "backup" XI wouldn't be too shabby either:

-------------------Romero

Darmian--------Jones------Blind-----Rojo

---------Schneiderlin------Herrera
-----------------------Mata

-----Lingard--------Rooney-----Depay

That's without even including TFM, Young etc.

 

[OldTrevil]

Currently against small teams a 4231 of DDG; Valencia, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw; Schneiderlin, Pogba; Mkhitaryan, Rashford, Martial; Ibra would run riot.

Against big teams a 433 of DDG; Darmian, Smalling, Bailly, Shaw; Herrera, Schneiderlin, Pogba; Mkhitaryan, Ibra, Martial would be amazing. That midfield really has everything you need. Pogba and Schneiderlin would share the playmaking workload, while all 3 would share physical responsibilities. We would suffocate teams in the center and would boss most teams. Creatively we would also be unpredictable as all three are capable in varying degrees. Not to mention Mkhitaryan often joining the center to add onto the creativity and trickery. Then once Rashford replaces Ibra, the team would be jizz worthy for a while. And this is without looking at the possibilities that a guy like TFM would bring if he turns into a specialist CDM.

 

[Skills]

--------------------------De Gea
Valencia---Smalling---Jones---Shaw
--------------Carrick---Pogba
Micky---------------------------------Martial
-----------Rashford--Zlatan

Would be the one to win us most points. Schneiderlin or Carrick to come in for games vs the top 7

 

[Dir Wangem]

Best XI or most sensible XI? Assuming it's the latter and we get Pogba:

--------------- DDG ------------
Valenica - Smalling - Bailly - Shaw
---------- Schneiderlin ---------
------- Mkhitaryan - Pogba -----
--- Lingard - Zlatan - Martial ---


Lingard over Rashford might be controversial, but I like to have at least one deadly weapon on the bench. Rooney, Mata, Lingard and Memphis aren't the type of players to come on and make a big difference, imo. Rashford is better than Lingard, though. I'm not questioning that. But sometimes the best XI is not necessarily the best XI.

 

[Santoryo]

Why so much love for Valencia? You guys really rate him at RB?? Is he really defensively good enough?

Because he's a threat going forward and solid defensively.

 

[Raoul]

Just because I didn't have him in the team doesn't mean I think he's bad. I just think Rashford is better suited to that role if Ibra is playing up top.

Mkhitaryan is a better distributor and assister.

 

[Santoryo]

Just because I didn't have him in the team doesn't mean I think he's bad. I just think Rashford is better suited to that role if Ibra is playing up top.

How so?

Mk is a proven goalscorer and assist machine. Not to mention he is the better player in the build up or simply overall.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Mkhitaryan is a better distributor and assister.

I don't disagree with that.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

How so?

Mk is a proven goalscorer and assist machine. Not to mention he is the better player in the build up or simply overall.

I think Mkh prefers the ball played to his feet and wouldn't make runs consistently like Rashford would.

I don't have issues if Mkh plays there and it works out fine though. Just my opinion.

 

[red_devil83]

DDG
Darmian-Smalling-Jones-Shaw
Carrick-Schneiderlin
Herrera
Mhki - Rasher - Martial

since we don't actually have Pogba

 

[Dec9003]

-----------DDG
TonyV---Smalling-Bailly-----Shaw
--------Blind--------TFM
Rashford-----Rooney-----Martial
-------------Zlatan
I didn't put Mkhy in just because I've not seen loads of him and he could turn out shite for all I know.
I know the centre mids are a bit odd but I don't rate Schneiderlin and Carrick is so past it that he should be on the bench at best.

 

[keener]

DDG
Valencia-Bailly-Smalling-Shaw
Pogba-Schneiderlin
Mkhitaryan-Mata-Martial
Ibra

Or move Ibra back to 10 and play Rashford up top. Ibra has been our most offensive and creative force in the preseason as he'll try flicks, 1-2 and hell generally be very offensive minded. MY HUGE ISSUE with Wayne at 10 is he simply looks to swing the ball 100% of the time, doesn't have the skill to break down a defender to create a 2 on 1 for him and Ibra....

Frankly putting Mkhitaryan behind Ibra would work too and leave Lindgard out wide or Young to cross the ball in to Ibra. Some workable combinations and none of them include Rooney for me atm.

 

[Jaybomb]

There's no "best 11" as it all depends on what the opposition is and what the tactics are.

De Gea is our best GK.

Darmian is our best RB.

Our best CBs (in my opinion) are Rojo and Bailly. Smalling was a little better than usual last season but I don't rate him whatsoever. Seems to always have a mistake in him. Rojo is a "big game" player having played in World Cup and Copa America finals. He's also a better footballer, period.

Our best LB is Shaw.

Our best #6 for me is Schneiderlin. He should be the one sitting infront of the midfield and breaking things up. Similar to Matic at Chelsea.

Our best #8 (until we sign Pogba) is Fellaini. He adds presence and balance to the midfield. We seem less "open" with him on the pitch. And he usually puts a good shift in.

Our best #10 is Mata... by far. We play our most attractive football when he's there. Rooney's touch is too heavy, he can't do free flowing passing and he just seems clunky.

Our best RW is Mkhitaryan.

Our best LW is Martial.

Our best ST is Zlatan. No contest.

 

[An Irish Red]

Our best CBs (in my opinion) are Rojo and Bailly. Smalling was a little better than usual last season but I don't rate him whatsoever. Seems to always have a mistake in him. Rojo is a "big game" player having played in World Cup and Copa America finals. He's also a better footballer, period.

I honestly have no idea how you can rate Rojo higher than Smalling. He's worse at just about everything. He's probably even worse at being Argentinian.

 

[Šjor Bepo]

-----------De Gea---------
Valencia-Smalls-Bailly-Shaw
------Schweini/Carras-----
------TFM-------Pogba----
Mkhi----------------Martial
---------Ibra--------------

or

-----------De Gea---------
Valencia-Smalls-Bailly-Shaw
-------TFM----Carras------
Mkhi/Jesse-Pogba---Martial
---------Ibra--------------

As long as we keep Rojo/Jones/Schneiderlin/Fella/Rooney/Depay out of the first 11 we are sorted. Our midfield options make me sick when i think about it, we need one more even with Pogba coming back.

 

[gza the genius]

De Gea
Training cone - Smalling - Bailly - Shaw
Schneiderlin
Pogba - Herrera
Mkhitaryan - - - - - - - - Martial
Zlatan​

I'd go for this. Valencia will likely be the right back which I'm okay with.

 

[ghagua]

This would be my selection with the players we have in the squad;

De Gea

Valencia--Bailly--Smalling--Shaw

Schneiderlin--Pogba

Rashford--Mkhitaryan--Martial

Ibrahimovic
​

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

Gk - DDG

Rb - Valencia
Lb - Shaw
Cb - Bailly
Cb - Smalling

Cm - Pogmeister
Cm - Schneiderlin
Cm - Herrera

LW - Martial
Cf - IBRA
Rw - Mkhi

If I had the choice that would be my first 11.

 

[Redguern]

I honestly have no idea how you can rate Rojo higher than Smalling. He's worse at just about everything. He's probably even worse at being Argentinian.

 

[RedElf]

De Gea

Valencia--Bailly--Smalling--Shaw

Schneiderlin--Blind

Mkhitaryan--Pogba--Martial

Ibrahimovic
​

 

[Jaybomb]

I honestly have no idea how you can rate Rojo higher than Smalling. He's worse at just about everything. He's probably even worse at being Argentinian.

Based on...?

 

[fellaini's barber]

I feel our best team will require one of Rooney/Ibra on the bench for Rashers, which will probably not happen because those two will definitely always play unless they're injured

 

[the unknown one.]

Based on...?

Smalling is quicker, stronger, better in the air, a better reader of the game and a far better tackler.

The only thing Rojo is better at is passing and by a very limited amount.

You must be a WUM.

 

[Glanville95]

Our best CBs (in my opinion) are Rojo and Bailly. Smalling was a little better than usual last season but I don't rate him whatsoever. Seems to always have a mistake in him. Rojo is a "big game" player having played in World Cup and Copa America finals. He's also a better footballer, period.

And yet you are practically the one, solitary Caf member who holds this ridiculous opinion.

It's so obvious, even to a moron that Smalling is the better defender and the better player. Anything contrary to that opinion is simply ludicrous.

 

[Jaybomb]

Smalling is quicker, stronger, better in the air, a better reader of the game and a far better tackler.

The only thing Rojo is better at is passing and by a very limited amount.

You must be a WUM.

Yeah, I hold a different opinion to you so clearly I must be winding you up.

Rojo is far superior to Smalling. The only reason he hasn't been a nailed on starter is due to injury problems. Blind took his place at CB and formed a good partnership with Smalling in his absence, so Rojo was shifted to LB to cover for the injured Shaw.

All of those points you made are clearly debatable. Rojo is much better at slide tackling for example. And he's also quick, strong and good in the air.

 

[RedElf]

Yeah, I hold a different opinion to you so clearly I must be winding you up.

Rojo is far superior to Smalling. The only reason he hasn't been a nailed on starter is due to injury problems. Blind took his place at CB and formed a good partnership with Smalling in his absence, so Rojo was shifted to LB to cover for the injured Shaw.

All of those points you made are clearly debatable. Rojo is much better at slide tackling for example. And he's also quick, strong and good in the air.

Your kidding right? Smalling is miles better than Rojo, sorry bud I think your wrong.

 

[the unknown one.]

Yeah, I hold a different opinion to you so clearly I must be winding you up.

Rojo is far superior to Smalling. The only reason he hasn't been a nailed on starter is due to injury problems. Blind took his place at CB and formed a good partnership with Smalling in his absence, so Rojo was shifted to LB to cover for the injured Shaw.

All of those points you made are clearly debatable. Rojo is much better at slide tackling for example. And he's also quick, strong and good in the air.

If you believe any of this there is no point continuing this debate.

Have you asked yourself why literally no one on this forum agrees Rojo is better than Smalling.

 

[Gopher Brown]

You guys make me laugh. We all know the best XI is this:

DDG; Darmian, Jones, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Fellaini; Lingard, Depay, Young; Rooney.

 

[Glanville95]

de Gea
Valencia - Smalling - Bailly - Shaw
Carrick
Schneiderlin - Pogba
Mhikitaryan - Ibrahimovic - Martial
​

That defence certainly has the makings of a Jose back four. Incredible pace and power in that defence that probably isn't bested by any PL back four when it comes to those traits. I can see Bailly cementing his place as our first choice centre back and Blind really pushing Smalling who's starting position could come under jeopardy even as good as he is. For a more defensive approach, Darmian might be a better choice than Valencia too.

The midfield is far more speculative. Pogba is our only certainty to start in the middle and it's a question of who to play alongside him. With that in mind, for me it's a matter of who complements him the best. Not Schneiderlin as he's not a sitter, but Carrick holding with Pogba having the most licence to attack in a three-man midfield with Carrick and Morgan. That provides the best balance IMO.

Upfront, Zlatan has to start and so does Martial. They are the best and most proven in their respective positions. It's the right wing spot that's more debate able but Miki's numbers do speak for themselves. Of course this won't happens, because Rooney, but we can all see he's shite. Rashford should push for a first team spot and maybe even Lingard surprisingly. Then there's Mata who restored to his regular AM position could be revitalised.

All speculation though. We all know Rooney will start unfortunately.

 

[Fer]

De Gea
Valencia - Smalling - Bailly - Shaw
Schweinsteiger
Schneiderlin - Pogba
Mkhitaryan - Ibrahimovic - Martial​

 

[Jaybomb]

And yet you are practically the one, solitary Caf member who holds this ridiculous opinion.

It's so obvious, even to a moron that Smalling is the better defender and the better player. Anything contrary to that opinion is simply ludicrous.

Doesn't really mean anything if I'm the only one. If I was a manager, I'd be playing Rojo over Smalling every time.

He's got far more potential. Smalling is good for a side that wants to come 6th-8th like West Ham but if you want to challenge for Champions Leagues, he's clearly not on the top level that Ramos, Pepe, Pique, Godin, Chiellini, etc are.

Look at the FA Cup final for example. He got himself sent off after making a ridiculous decision. If we lost, it would have been entirely his fault. I'd much rather put faith into a player who's been in World Cup and Copa America finals than another overhyped English player who was finding it difficult against Iceland.

 

[Gopher Brown]

Yeah, I hold a different opinion to you so clearly I must be winding you up.

Rojo is far superior to Smalling. The only reason he hasn't been a nailed on starter is due to injury problems. Blind took his place at CB and formed a good partnership with Smalling in his absence, so Rojo was shifted to LB to cover for the injured Shaw.

All of those points you made are clearly debatable. Rojo is much better at slide tackling for example. And he's also quick, strong and good in the air.

Centre backs shouldn't need to make slide tackles if their positioning is up to scratch. There's a reason Rojo makes them a lot.

How many times did you ever see Rio make a slide tackle?

 

[Jaybomb]

If you believe any of this there is no point continuing this debate.

Have you asked yourself why literally no one on this forum agrees Rojo is better than Smalling.

Cause the majority of fans only judge on the last game.

Smalling played all the games last season and Rojo was injured for most of it, so who's people gonna remember more? There was a time when everyone would have laughed if I said "Riyad Mahrez will become the best player in the league", now look at him. All it takes is a good run of games for Rojo and everyone will change their mind. That's football.

 

[Jaybomb]

Centre backs shouldn't need to make slide tackles if their positioning is up to scratch. There's a reason Rojo makes them a lot.

How many times did you ever see Rio make a slide tackle?

That's a load of rubbish. Slide tackling is an art. Some of the best defenders in history had good slide tackling... Maldini being the stand out for me.

 

[Gopher Brown]

That's a load of rubbish. Slide tackling is an art. Some of the best defenders in history had good slide tackling... Maldini being the stand out for me.

So I can extrapolate that you think Rojo is better than Rio?

Rojo is erratic, impulsive and unreliable. All qualities to be avoided at CB. Smalling is a great player now, and made an error in the cup final which is the exception which proves the rule.