Name our best 11 and the 3 subs.

SadlerMUFC

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I agree with everything you said really, but I think he’d get smashed to little pieces almost every game as a Fullback. Sadly, unless he becomes 3rd choice cover for either RW or LW I think the bold part is most likely.
Smashed? If he has proved anything in his short time with us, it's that he's not afraid to take a knock. He's actually quite a tough kid. You can see that with all the tackles he's received and got right back up from over the past year. He is also the best "defensive winger" that we have...
 

Volumiza

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Smashed? If he has proved anything in his short time with us, it's that he's not afraid to take a knock. He's actually quite a tough kid. You can see that with all the tackles he's received and got right back up from over the past year. He is also the best "defensive winger" that we have...
It’s one thing being able to take a tackle and get straight back up but how about holding off tackles, blocking attacks and making tackles. I can’t help but feel, tough as he is, he’d be targeted every match.

It’s also one thing being our best defensive winger (not a hard title to own) and another actually being a defender. Dunno dude, it’s not an obvious choice for me.
 

Devil may care

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Looks great on paper and would probably my 'dream 11' but that team would be wide open, it's far too attacking. I think we'd need a world class DM in place of Fred to even consider the other 10. City could do it with Fernandinho, Chelsea did it with Kante, not sure Fred could (although im a fan of Fred)
I think Van de Beek is a lot more combative than some realize, he's not the pure #10 the media are pushing, long term Fred and McTominay are squad players to me as we need to add a better player in that double pivot i agree, but I'd like to see how the Fred/VdB combo does while we have to use what we have, and I think Axel adds more coverage to the team than we have with our current CB partnership.
 

R77

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Always find threads like this and predicting game line ups really difficult. Some line ups in here that look great for when we're flying along and full of confidence, that would get likely slaughtered with where we're at currently. Others that may seem boring, but sensible for now. Interesting to see the differing perspectives.

Couple of posters close to the same;


Reasoning;
  • Fred can't do the extra CB thing, and it's as important to us as him breaking up the play. Scott can't seem to do it on his own. A younger Matic would be great, but has to be McFred.
  • Lindelof may have flaws but I trust him not to do crazy things and cost us points regardless, and he's more intelligent and aware in organising the defence imo. A few games without mentasms from the big man and I'd consider changing my mind.
  • Van de Beek is the raumdeuter, Muller, good Lingard, of the side, but is also important in compensating for the relative lack of direct build up skills on the right. His ability to find space and be an option for link up and one twos is important when we need to progress play on that side or more centrally.
  • No Cavani or Maguire to get on those Telles crosses, but while I think McT and Rashford can do that a bit, I'm thinking as much about his playmaking ability, long diagonals and switching the play to Greenwood or VdB in space being a surefire route to goals.
  • A couple of wild choices on the youth front, but crazy potential young players that are already good enough to contribute constitute part of a 'best 11' in terms of what I like to see in the game. Tuanzebe and Greenwood are in, with the latter also being important for balance. Rashford and Martial will tend toward the left more often than not wherever you put them, while Mason is much more natural in that right-hand area.
  • Still has some of the flaws currently manifest. Forwards that, at least currently, will more often or not be looking for ball on the floor. No real direct build up ability (dribbling, great passing) on the right, do one on Donny and it's borderline useless in the middle third. Vulnerable to overloads and switching the play, particularly in behind Telles. Dodgy lack of aeral ability in our own box. A void in the top right corner unless AWB finds himself there. It's a solid, clever, very nippy base, with lots of attacking threat that can compensate easily enough for a good many games though. Getting the best from it would help play more on the front foot without much transition, it's close to what we already do.
Subs;

Shaw;
Just about versatile enough so there's always maybe one way or another to cover any position in defence.
Pogba; Gone for attacking option over shoring it up further.
Martial; Too hard to leave out and can do a bit of what either forward already on offers, so good cover.
 

Borys

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De Gea
Wan Bissaka Lindelof Maguire Telles
Fred McTominay
Bruno
Greenwood Rashford
Martial
Subs: Pogba, Shaw, van de Beek
Very balanced side, and versatile subs. We can play with this team against any team, from relegation zone in Premier League to top Champions League clubs (just swith to 3 at the back and sacrifice 1 attacker).
 

Red_toad

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Both full backs would struggle in that system, they'd both be way better suited to a 3 at the back formation, they're too attacking for a flat back 4.
They’re no more defensive minded than Liverpool’s fullbacks, Laird is actually very good in defence and offers more than AWB going forward, in my opinion of course. Until it’s tested we shall never know...
 

arthurka

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Henderson
AWB, Harry, Alex, Telles
Fred, VdB
Bruno
Greenwood, Rashford
Cavani

Martial, Pogba, Mata.
 

AltiUn

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They’re no more defensive minded than Liverpool’s fullbacks, Laird is actually very good in defence and offers more than AWB going forward, in my opinion of course. Until it’s tested we shall never know...
Trent's ability to pick up assists from outside the final third is what makes him so ruthlessly effective and makes that whole system tick, his crosses from zone 15 are what make him basically an unrivalled offensive force as a full back. Laird's a brilliant player but his best attacking plays come from driving into the box. Maybe Telles could be that player for us but who knows, we'd have to sacrifice a lot in CM to compensate for an offensive full back pairing when currently our creative midfield depth is our strongest asset. Laird is competent in defence, very good is a hell of a stretch. You're right though, we won't know until it's tested and in theory it could end up working.
 

charlenefan

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------------------De Gea------------------
AWB--Lindelof--Maguire--Shaw
------------Fred----------Matic------------
Greenwood-Bruno-Rashford
------------------Martial------------------

Too soon to say if Tuanzebe and Telles have a say in this or not

Really not a lot between Fred/Matic/McTominay but just feel Matic's experience offers us something the Fred and McTominay duo don't
 

Borys

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There is no first XI. But this should be the strategy:

Spine of the team - should play in all important games, and be rested in cups:
De Gea, Maguire, Fred, Bruno, Rashford

1 Tier players - should be added to the spine:
Lindelof, Wan Bissaka, Telles, McTominay, Martial and Greenwood

2nd Tier players - substitute spine (should be used whenever we want to rest key players) :
Henderson, Shaw (Telles), Tuanzebe (Lindelof) , Matic (McTominay), Pogba (Bruno), Mata (Greenwood), van de Beek (?)

Question marks:
James, Williams

This is how you pick starting XI, based on opposition and calendar.
 

P-Nut

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DDG
AWB Tuanzabe McTominay Maguire Telles
VdB Pogba
Bruno
Rashford Martial

McTominay can step up or drop back as required.

Greenwood, Cavani, Matic as the subs.
 

SadlerMUFC

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It’s one thing being able to take a tackle and get straight back up but how about holding off tackles, blocking attacks and making tackles. I can’t help but feel, tough as he is, he’d be targeted every match.

It’s also one thing being our best defensive winger (not a hard title to own) and another actually being a defender. Dunno dude, it’s not an obvious choice for me.
I never said it was an obvious choice. Just something I would try. Let's face it...he looks like more of a defender than TAA does and he's considered one of the best in the game...
 

appleman

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Of course there needs to be some varying throughout the season, but based on the question I would say

De Gea
WanBissaka - Tuanzebe - Maguire - AlexTelles
McTom - - - - - Fred
Bruno - - - - - - - - - - - - Pogba
Rashford - - - Martial​

Looking at the squad I feel like a 4-2-2-2 has most quality cover, and it did work quite nicely in the PSG game, but that's just one game of course.

3 Subs: Shaw, Beek, Greenwood.

But looking at the entire squad, in the back Henderson, Lindelof, Shaw are decent back up, with the others being useful based on opposition and form.
DM has Matic and the possibilities of vdBeek and Pogba in case of injuries.
AM has VDB and Mata and to some extent Pellistri and James (and Diallo).
FW has Greenwood and Cavani and to some extent James (and Diallo).
 

Martialfc

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Our best team is


Ddg
AWB Tuanzabe Maguire Telles
Matic Bruno Van de Beek
Greenwood Martial Rashford

In a 4-3-3

What I’d like to see but won’t happen

Ddg
AWB Tuanzabe Maguire Telles
Matic
Pogba Van de beek
Bruno
Greenwood Cavani

In a 4-1-2-1-2
 

Ollie Derbyshire

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...........................De Gea
.....Tuanzebe.....Maguire......Shaw
AWB..................Fred...................Telles
....................Bruno....VdB
............Martial.............Rashford

Pogba or McT depending on how the game is going
Greenwood
Cavani

I still think we need to concentrate on not getting steam rolled down the middle and for me that happens when Pogba plays so he starts from the bench in my team until he shows he can work defensively.

Lindelof could take Maguire’s spot but I like Maguires heading ability in both boxes.

Fred seems to cover more ground than McT and again seems to be more mobile, and I think we have to use Matic for cup games or injuries etc as he can’t last much longer at the level we need I don’t think.

Moving forward we need to aim for a back 4 to get Greenwood into the first XI as well, but being more solid is more important at the minute I think, we can do that if Tuanzebe stays fit to play alongside Maguire or Lindelof.

We have a plethora of good to great players to choose from, Ole needs to stick to a formation and go with it, I don’t like chopping and changing. Pick your best formation and players you think and let them play together for a while.
 

masii

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DDG
AWB Maguire Tuanzebe Shaw
Fred Pogba
Bruno VDB
Rashford Martial/Greenwood

Subs
Cavani, Matic/Mctom,Telles.
Either in first XI or substitution I play Telles and Cavani together because we need someone to provide proper opportunities for Cavani! Telles can do it as he is better than Shaw in crosses even Williams is better than AWB in attacking side when we need crosses. It highly depends how we play and how we want to control the game. Cavani, willi, Telles could be a proper plan B against rival that you can not open their defensive line via central midfields.
 

TheGame

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DDG

AWB----Magure---Lindelöf---Telles
----------------Fred----------------
-------------------------VDB--------------
-----------------Fernandes----------
Pogba--------Martial----------Rashford

Subs: McTominay, Cavani and Greenwood.
 

friendlytramp

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————————-De Gea
————Tuanzebe Maguire Shaw
AWB———-—————-——————Telles
——————-VDB———Fred
———————Fernandes
———-Martial—————-Rashford

Greenwood Pogba McT
 

hobbers

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The most effective eleven isn't the same as the best eleven, but the most effective right now is probably this. And honestly we can split hairs between Pogba and VDB because VDB has barely kicked a ball and Pogba has been utter crap.


De Gea
Tuanzebe - Maguire - Shaw
AWB --- Pogba - Fred --- Telles
Bruno
Rashford --- Martial​
 

Bwuk

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De Gea
AWB - Lindelof - Maguire - Telles
Pogba - McTominay
Greenwood - Bruno - Rashford
Martial​

Cavani, VdB & Axel as subs.
 

UNITED ACADEMY

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This is very debatable. With the squad atm, pick your best 11 and the 3 subs you think could change a game for us. Have a go.

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

AWB-----Lindelof---Maguire--------Shaw

--------------------- Matic ----------------------

----------------Pogba--------Fernandes-------

Greenwood-----------------------------Rashford
------------------------Marial---------------

Subs: VdB, Cavani, Telles.
So there are still people who think Matic, Pogba & Bruno are our best midfield combination after watching the Brighton & Spurs horror. Unless if you haven’t watch the games then I understand why you still think it’s our best midfield combo.
 

el3mel

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De Gea
AWB - Lindelof - Maguire - Telles
Fred
Bruno - VDB
Greenwood - Martial - Rashford

Cavani
Pogba
Scott
 

Zlatattack

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This is very debatable. With the squad atm, pick your best 11 and the 3 subs you think could change a game for us. Have a go.

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

AWB-----Lindelof---Maguire--------Shaw

--------------------- Matic ----------------------

----------------Pogba--------Fernandes-------

Greenwood-----------------------------Rashford
------------------------Marial---------------

Subs: VdB, Cavani, Telles.
I think this is my team too but with Telles over Shaw. The problem is can Matic cover the defence single handedly? I think this should be how we setup against weaker opposition.
 

Fitchett

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With the caveat that the best XI will vary according to the opposition, match tactics need for squad rotation etc, here goes.

De Gea
Wan Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Telles
Fred, Fernandes, Pogba
Greenwood, Cavani, Rashford.
Subs - Tuanzebe, De Beek, Martial.
 

friendlytramp

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————————-De Gea
————Tuanzebe Maguire Shaw
AWB———-—————-——————Telles
——————-VDB———Fred
———————Fernandes
———-Martial—————-Rashford

Greenwood Pogba McT
this without a doubt
 

WR10

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DDG
AWB AXEL HARRY TELLES
POGBA SCOTT
GREENWOOD BRUNO RASHFORD
CAVANI

VDB, Martial, Mata​
 

Dinghy

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-----------------Henderson------------------
Williams-Lindelof--Maguire--Shaw
------------Fred-----------Matic------------
--------------------Bruno----------------------
--Cavani------------------------Rashford
-------------------Martial---------------------

Subs: Pogba, Greenwood & VDB

No AWB to feck up every attack, and no Pogba as in his current form he doesn't deserve to start. Matic should be ahead of McT in the pecking order as he's far better on the ball. Front three to interchange positions during the match.
 

Cantonagotmehere

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I am not saying people here are wrong, it just sure is telling that Pogba is not in most starting 11's. He sure has not been the player we all hoped. Such a bummer.
 

MrSingh2002

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I don't know why as fans we're obsessed with a 'best XI'.

Even Sunday league teams don't have a 'best XI' now...you pick the players you feel best fit the formation and style you want to play from week to week.
This is true. I managed Sunday league for two seasons recently and don't think I managed to get what I thought was my best 11 on the pitch for a game. For one reason or another there was always a top player of mine missing or it didn't suit the tactics on the day to play them.

Its no different at the top and United still need atleast 15/16 first choice players with no drop off in quality. We're still atleast 2 player off that in a winger and a centre back needed.

However the question for me is even if Ole had those 2 extra players would he just waste them by not having the balls to rotate the starting 11.
 

criticalanalysis

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What I have seen in DJ is a player who works his butt off at both ends of the field. But as a winger, I really don't think he should get any game time with us. He's just not good enough as a focal point of our attack. Especially from the left, where even if the outside run is wide open, he still tries to come inside and constantly loses the ball. As a RB he can forget about trying to dribble players and just work on overlapping his RW'er and whip in some crosses. We've seen some good crosses from him as a RW'er, but unfortunately it's often to nobody because he whips in crosses when nobody has caught up to him yet :lol: :lol: :lol: . But as a RB he would be one of the last to join the attack and maybe even find someone on one of those crosses. Mind you, in any other formation of 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 or classic 4-4-2 he wouldn't even make my bench. But in a formation that requires an attacking RB, as a 4-4-2 diamond does, I would like to see him converted to the position because if not, in my opinion, he has no future at our club...
This is such a batsh|t crazy idea that it may work.

Positionally he will be massively suspect but as an overlapping full/wingback with the game in front of him as it develops, it could work.

But it would take a tactical masterclass and high level coaching i.e not going to happen anytime soon.
 

MrBest

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De Gea
AWB Maguire Tuanzabe Telles
Fred
DVB Pogba
Bruno Martial Rashford

Subs: Greenwood, Cavani and Matic

I'd quite like to see Bruno operate the right and cutting in, let's face it, he can play anywhere at the top. Martial is our best striker, the left basically belongs to Rashford. DVB has to play, in terms of football intelligence, he is head over heels than others we have. Pogba would be on the bench if we had a proper right winger, Fred is our Kante. Maguire should be on the right, Tuanzabe offers pace we don't have at the back and would allow our midfielders more freedom. De Gea nudges Hendo purely because he is De Gea and has started well this season. I prefer Telles has he has more attacking instinct than Shaw and there is no one else to take the right back slot off AWB. The closest I would say is Williams as i believe his future should be on the righg but he needs mlre time to mature.
 

WR10

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I am not saying people here are wrong, it just sure is telling that Pogba is not in most starting 11's. He sure has not been the player we all hoped. Such a bummer.
Just means people are extremely short-sighted.
 

Johnson Yip

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3-4-1-2 (right-to-left):

DDG
Tuanzebe, Maguire, Shaw
AWB, Fred, VDB, Telles
Bruno
Cavani, Rashford

Sub:
McTom, Greenwood, Martial
 

NoPace

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Other team has a pulse:

----Rashford---Cavani-------
--------------Bruno---------------
---------VDB-----Fred-----------
Telles-----------------------AWB
---Shaw-Maguire-Axel----
----------------De Gea----------

Subs:
-Martial or Greenwood on for Cavani after an hour to run at tired legs
-Pogba for VDB if the midfield needs some attacking freshness, McTominay for VDB if it needs to be more solid
-3rd sub generally only used late anyways

Other team not so good:

Rashford---Martial----Greenwood
-----------------Bruno---------------
-------------VDB-----Fred-----------
Telles---------------------------AWB
-----------Maguire-Axel----------
-------------------De Gea----------

Hmm, our squad would make a lot more sense if we'd sold Pogba and bought a top CB and an attacking right-wing back. Let's go back in time and swap Pogba to Madrid for Hakimi and 40M then buy a CB.