Our strongest XI

[OleGunnar20]

Against smaller teams I'd be going:

------------------------DDG
AWB - Tuanzebe - Maguire - Shaw
-------------- McTom - Pereira
---------------------- Pogba
------Rashford - Martial - James

Not a big fan of Pereira deeper than #10, but unless Garner steps up I think he's the best of a bad bunch there currently. Fred is just not cut out for this level of football, in my opinion. Matic is finished.

I suppose you could argue for Pogba & Pereira to swap there, but I would rather Pogba in the free role.

Bigger / Equal teams:

---------------------DDG
Tuanzebe - Maguire - Lindelof
AWB - McTom - Pogba - Shaw
Rashford - Martial - James

 

[sherrinford]

Like this...
--------------------------De Gea-----------------------
-------------Lindelöf--Maguire---Tuanzebe---
---AWB---------------------------------------Shaw-----
----------------Fred----------------McT----------------
------------------------Pogba-------------------------
-----------------Rashy----------Martial------------------

Well that wouldn’t be the lineup in the OP, with Tuanzebe for Lingard, in a 3-5-2, with Pogba in a free role, would it?

I was looking forward to seeing how three centre backs, Martial, Rashford, James and a free-roaming Pogba all fit into one team.

 

[TRUERED89]

Well that wouldn’t be the lineup in the OP, with Tuanzebe for Lingard, in a 3-5-2, with Pogba in a free role, would it?

I was looking forward to seeing how three centre backs, Martial, Rashford, James and a free-roaming Pogba all fit into one team.

I think that'd work just fine in a 3-5-2.. Pogba is free, Rashford and Martial upfront together.

 

[sherrinford]

I think that'd work just fine in a 3-5-2.. Pogba is free, Rashford and Martial upfront together.

And James...

 

[TRUERED89]

And James...

--------------------------De Gea-----------------------
-------------Lindelöf--Maguire---Tuanzebe---
---AWB---------------------------------------Shaw-----
----------------Fred----------------McT----------------
------------------------Pogba-------------------------
-----------------Rashy----------Martial------------------

What would you do here to get James in? Take Fred out drop Pogba there and have 3 upfront ?

 

[Pexbo]

What would you do here to get James in? Take Fred out drop Pogba there and have 3 upfront ?

--------------------------De Gea---------------------
-------------Lindelöf--Maguire---Tuanzebe----------
---AWB---------------------------------------Shaw---
------------------McTominay--------------------------
-------James-------------------Pogba-----------------
------------------------Rashy----------Martial--------



The reality is that with a back three, we would be playing a very high line with Taunzebe using his pace to cover Maguire and Lindelof and Maguire picking up the distribution role of a defensive midfield.

We shouldn't need 3 in the midfield with that setup and it wouldn't limit Pogba's ability to roam wherever he likes to find space and make things happen.

 

[TRUERED89]

--------------------------De Gea---------------------
-------------Lindelöf--Maguire---Tuanzebe----------
---AWB---------------------------------------Shaw---
------------------McTominay--------------------------
-------James-------------------Pogba-----------------
------------------------Rashy----------Martial--------



The reality is that with a back three, we would be playing a very high line with Taunzebe using his pace to cover Maguire and Lindelof and Maguire picking up the distribution role of a defensive midfield.

We shouldn't need 3 in the midfield with that setup and it wouldn't limit Pogba's ability to roam wherever he likes to find space and make things happen.

I think it would work well against the bus parkers, but top 6 could get messy. Herrera would be so pivotal right now, Mct & Herrera anchoring behind Pogba would be fantastic, what a feck up that was letting him go

 

[Volumiza]

DDG
AWB - Lindelof - Maguire - Shaw
McT - Fred
Pogba
Rashford - Martial - James
​

Just don't see how people can leave James out. He's our biggest threat right now.

 

[Panther]

Wan Bissaka isn't good enough going forward to be an effective wing-back, Dalot would be much better at RWB. Wan Bissaka would probably be more effective as the RCB.

De Gea
Wan-Bissaka - Maguire - Lindelof
Dalot - McTominay - Fred - James
Pogba
Rashford - Martial​

 

[TRUERED89]

DDG
AWB - Lindelof - Maguire - Shaw
McT - Fred
Pogba
Rashford - Martial - James
​

Just don't see how people can leave James out. He's our biggest threat right now.

Maybe Tuanzebe in for Lindelöf and that's our best XI and formation with players available for sure..

 

[jackal&hyde]

Might not be a popular subject to bring up but if we were to say that this is our strongest XI...

------------De Gea------------
AWB--Lindelof--Maguire--Shaw
---McTominay----Pogba---
James------Lingard------Rashford
------------Martial------------

Then that's an XI that we've fielded just once all season (against Wolves away in the second game of the season). How much improvement do we realistically think we'll see when we're able to field that line up again?

Significant improvement in both defensive stability and attack. Think we'd be marginal favorites against most teams apart from the top 2, at home at least.

 

[Volumiza]

Might not be a popular subject to bring up but if we were to say that this is our strongest XI...

------------De Gea------------
AWB--Lindelof--Maguire--Shaw
---McTominay----Pogba---
James------Lingard------Rashford
------------Martial------------

Then that's an XI that we've fielded just once all season (against Wolves away in the second game of the season). How much improvement do we realistically think we'll see when we're able to field that line up again?

I have two problems with this 11 Charlenefan.

1. Dan James is our most effective player right now so I'd leave him exactly where he operates best,on the left. Rashford is currently not operating fully wherever he plays so let him take the right. He'll be just as effective or ineffective there.
2. Lingard! Why Lingard? Constantly proven to be lacking in most areas other than workrate. Taking Lingard out and putting Pogba up in an attacking MF role at least gives us some quality feeding Rashford, Martial and James.

 

[Adcuth]

And James...

Give James the free role behind the 2 strikers and have pogba in the midfield two flanked by the wing backs

De Gea​

Tuanzabe Maguire Lindelof​

AWB Mctominay Pogba Shaw​

James​

Rashford Martial​

 

[sherrinford]

--------------------------De Gea-----------------------
-------------Lindelöf--Maguire---Tuanzebe---
---AWB---------------------------------------Shaw-----
----------------Fred----------------McT----------------
------------------------Pogba-------------------------
-----------------Rashy----------Martial------------------

What would you do here to get James in? Take Fred out drop Pogba there and have 3 upfront ?

Then Pogba’s not in a free role.

Another poster said they would replace Lingard with Tuanzebe in the XI in the OP, play a 3-5-2 and give Pogba a free role. I asked what that would look like and you replied by giving me a lineup without those stipulations?

Give James the free role behind the 2 strikers and have pogba in the midfield two flanked by the wing backs

De Gea​

Tuanzabe Maguire Lindelof​

AWB Mctominay Pogba Shaw​

James​

Rashford Martial​

Again, then it’s no free role for Pogba.

 

[TRUERED89]

Then Pogba’s not in a free role.

Another poster said they would replace Lingard with Tuanzebe in the XI in the OP, play a 3-5-2 and give Pogba a free role. I asked what that would look like and you replied by giving me a lineup without those stipulations?




Again, then it’s no free role for Pogba.

If not this

--------------------------De Gea-----------------------
-------------Lindelöf--Maguire---Tuanzebe---
---AWB---------------------------------------Shaw-----
----------------Fred----------------McT----------------
------------------------Pogba-------------------------
-----------------Rashy----------Martial------------------

Then why not 4-3-3

AWB-------Tuanzebe-------Maguire--------Shaw---

-----------------------McT-------------------------
-------------Fred--------------Pogba--------------------
---James------------Martial---------------Rashford

Herrera instead of Fred would have been great, such a feck up that was..

 

[Adcuth]

Then Pogba’s not in a free role.

Another poster said they would replace Lingard with Tuanzebe in the XI in the OP, play a 3-5-2 and give Pogba a free role. I asked what that would look like and you replied by giving me a lineup without those stipulations?




Again, then it’s no free role for Pogba.

Pogba doesnt need a free role

 

[MrSingh2002]

Not bad. I only question whether Martial is good enough as a lone striker.

I agree but I'd like to see him play there for the season and if not aim for a world class young striker. Martial could be alot better upfront with a good number 10 behind him.

 

[Livvie]

Seven changes? Will never find our best eleven that way

 

[Bobcat]

If we are going to keep playing with 3 at the back

-----------------DDG-----------------
---Lindelof---Maguire---Tuanzebe--
AWB-----Pogba----Mctom----Shaw
----James-----Martial----Rashford--

4231 has not worked well at all. Pogba is not as good at DM and neither are Fred, Pereira or Mctom. Matic is useless. Another problem is the lack of a decent #10 in.

 

[Meep]

Shaw​

Tuanzebe

Martial​

James​

DDG-----Maguire-----McT

Pogba

Rashford​

Lindelof

AWB​

 

[charlenefan]

I have two problems with this 11 Charlenefan.

1. Dan James is our most effective player right now so I'd leave him exactly where he operates best,on the left. Rashford is currently not operating fully wherever he plays so let him take the right. He'll be just as effective or ineffective there.
2. Lingard! Why Lingard? Constantly proven to be lacking in most areas other than workrate. Taking Lingard out and putting Pogba up in an attacking MF role at least gives us some quality feeding Rashford, Martial and James.

And I have one problem with this post Volumizza - THATS NOT THE POINT OF THIS THREAD!!!

Significant improvement in both defensive stability and attack. Think we'd be marginal favorites against most teams apart from the top 2, at home at least.

See this guy gets it

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I think one of the positive thing about our season now is that Ole knows 95% of his best starting XI. Unlike our previous managers.

DDG, Maguire, Lindelof, Bissaka, Shaw, McTomminay, Pogba, James, Rashford, Martial.

With Tuanzebe has good chance to challenge Lindelof's spot and rotation in between Pereira, Lingard or may be Fred. Greenwood is also looking for a chance in starting XI spot.

 

[Volumiza]

And I have one problem with this post Volumizza - THATS NOT THE POINT OF THIS THREAD!!!

Hey Charlenefan, I wasn’t meaning to be funny, just saying I didn’t agree with your strongest XI.

I certainly didn’t mean to get capitaled

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Go back to 4141

Martial
James Pogba Pereira Rashford
McTominay
Shaw Maguire Lindelof Wan-Bissaka
De Gea

Romero Tuanzebe Young Fred Lingard Dalot Greenwood​

 

[Bestietom]

I think it would work well against the bus parkers, but top 6 could get messy. Herrera would be so pivotal right now, Mct & Herrera anchoring behind Pogba would be fantastic, what a feck up that was letting him go

Not replacing Herrera and Lukaku is why we are in this state now.

 

[waza7111]

Might not be a popular subject to bring up but if we were to say that this is our strongest XI...

------------De Gea------------
AWB--Lindelof--Maguire--Shaw
---McTominay----Pogba---
James------Lingard------Rashford
------------Martial------------

Then that's an XI that we've fielded just once all season (against Wolves away in the second game of the season). How much improvement do we realistically think we'll see when we're able to field that line up again?

I'll wait and see but i'm not expecting much improvement even with those players back. We've been in relegation form since the PSG game and our best players will have played a lot of those matches. Solskjaer's supporters are using it as an excuse to defend him but I don't think he can turn it around. There's no pattern or style of play.

 

[bosnian_red]

In terms of the actual 11 I dont think it's bad at all. Quality and balanced back 4, pace and goal threat in attack, creativity in midfield with Pogba and decent work rate throughout. It has a bit of a weird balance through midfield, but other than that it's good enough that with the right training and tactics, we could be a good side. Key phrase is that though.

 

[TwoSheds]

--------Martial Rashford

James Fred Pogba McTominay AWB
-----Tuanzebe Maguire Smalling
------------------De Gea

 

[Snafu17]

How is Fred in most of these, he has been atrocious this season.

 

[Pughnichi]

Rashford shouldn’t be in a strongest 11

DeGea
AWB, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw
McT, Fred
Greenwood, Pogba, James
Martial

 

[Reddy09]

‐------------------De Gea-------------------
AWB--Lindelof---Maguire--Shaw
---‐----------------Axel-‐--------------------
------------Scott-------Pogba-----------
James------------------------Rashford
------------------Martial --‐-----------------

 

[Champagne Football]

De Gea
Wan-Bissaka Maguire Lindelof Williams
McTominay Tuanzebe
Rashford Pogba James
Martial
​

 

[Majima]

What i would like to see is this:

De Gea

AWB - Lindelof - Maguire - Shaw

McTominay
Fred -------------- Pogba

James ------------------------------- Rashford
Martial
​

The 4-3-3 is a balanced lineup. Lots of movement. You have players playing in their natural roles. The only one we struggle to fill is the cdm with McTominay, but he's so limited on the ball and possesses the physical qualities anyway, that you would think he would be fine with coaching.

​

Alternative:

De Gea

AWB - Lindelof - Maguire - Shaw

McTominay - Fred

James --------------- Pogba

Martial - Rashford​

The 4-2-2-2 variation is a personal favourite. McTominay & Fred as a dm pairing, Martial & Rashford as a front pairing. James as a wide midfielder stretching the play & Pogba playing as a lm/am hybrid.

This frees Pogba to be able to affect matches directly whilst minimising his weaknesses. Allows him to link up with Rashford or Martial dropping into the LW position too which would be extremely dangerous now with James offering the threat in behind on the other side. (Why don't we attack like this anymore?)

Also, Pogba playing on the side gives us a possible solution to being pressed with the direct ball from our cb's to him.

Our methods of attacking could easily apply to the 4-3-3 also, so we would still play the same way regardless.​

 

[aamnkeane16]

At some point I would like to see this lineup, especially against team that sits deep against us:

De Gea

AWB - Maguire - Tuanzebe

Williams——————————————Shaw

Pogba - McTominay

James

Martial - Rashford
​

I believe in Shaw (at his pre-contract/ leg break best) & Williams, we have the most cavalier and naturally gifted wing-backs that can provide some overlapping width the way Robertson / TAA gave Liverpool.

AWB I feel would be the perfect cover for Williams, and Tuanzebe for Shaw when covering opposition breaks. Both are unassuming and has the pace, tackling and tactical nouse to be the ball playing CBs to complement Maguire when team sits deep against us. All 3 CB are comfortable on the ball and can start our attack without breaking a sweat.

James is the conundrum in this lineup. I couldn’t find the best #10 to complement R&M, but I feel when we’re on the front foot James would stretch to the right while Rashford to the left. While when pressing from the front, James, Martial & Rashford speed would give defenders nightmare to play from the back.

We could also try Perreira or Lingard at #10.

 

[Lee565]

---------------de gea
Awb-lindelof-Maguire-Williams
------------------axel
----mctominay--pogba
---------------martial
---------james--rashford

Allow martial freedom to drift into either side of the wings or the number 9 position

 

[markhughes]

----------------------------------De Gea
-----------------------Maguire Axel Lindelof
------------------AWB-----------------------------Shaw
------------------------Mctominay------Pogba
------------------James---------------------------Rashford
------‐--------------------Martial/Greenwood

This is the team I would play if everyone was fit, I'd rotate Martial and Greenwood. A quality right winger and a top Striker would transform that team.

Also if we had another quality midfielder I'd move away from a back 5. Three TOP players required IMO.

 

[Jezpeza]

I disagree. The 3 in the back has much flexibility. It can be conservative like against Liverpool in the 2nd half (5 in the back), or it can be adventurous by pushing one of AWB and Shaw further up the pitch during some attacks like AWB and Young did in the 1st half vs Liverpool. Overlaps are critical against park-the-bus teams and giving AWB and Shaw more freedom should help.

Width tends to come from the wing backs nowadays - city and liverpool do it. Its how mane and salah and sterling and mahrez/silva/sane get so many goals - they are playing as forwards and getting central not hugging the touchline to provide width. Not many teams playing with flat back four and wingers anymore

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

deGea
AWB Maguire Tuanzebe
Dalot McTominay Pogba Shaw
James Martial Rashford​

 

[Bastian]

Well it includes de Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, McTominay, James, Rashford, Martial and probably Pereira. Does Pogba still play for us?

 

[Sandikan]

Rashford shouldn’t be in a strongest 11

DeGea
AWB, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw
McT, Fred
Greenwood, Pogba, James
Martial

Just ridiculous