But some of our players are versatile and can play different positions, so competition is significantly more complicated…
With Ronaldo, how do we line up?
- Thread starter BeforeKeanetherewasRobson
- Start date
Of course which could also benefit us at times too. Some of those players will get injured for weeks/months this season. It helps that Greenwood and Sancho could also play up top or on the left.
----------------DDG----------
AWB-------Varane------Maguire-----Shaw
------------------------McT----------------------
-----------------Bruno-----Pogba----------
Sancho--------------------------------Rashford-
-----------------------CR7----------------------
AWB-------Varane------Maguire-----Shaw
------------------------McT----------------------
-----------------Bruno-----Pogba----------
Sancho--------------------------------Rashford-
-----------------------CR7----------------------
For me
----------‐------------- De Gea ----------------
------------------Varane ---Maguire -------------------
--------‐-------------------McT ------------------------------
----AWB ----------------------------------Shaw--
--------------- Bruno --------Pogba -------------------
-------Greenwood ------‐---------------Sancho--------
--------------------------Ronaldo--------------------------
----------‐------------- De Gea ----------------
------------------Varane ---Maguire -------------------
--------‐-------------------McT ------------------------------
----AWB ----------------------------------Shaw--
--------------- Bruno --------Pogba -------------------
-------Greenwood ------‐---------------Sancho--------
--------------------------Ronaldo--------------------------
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It's a start?Already one clean sheet, keep it up
The issue is that with Lind/Mag, Ole was never moving away from McFred (when fit) and it won't happen overnight (and might take some practice/tweaking) but Varane looks like helping the back line and if this leads to pushing up a bit/better ball control/better passing out, we could then start to see midfield other than McFred.
One thing that would help is faster passing out of defence instead of arsing about. Needs midfield and wide players to offer themselves as options.. get the ball into the other half asap.
Ronaldo will predominantly play up front as a #9 in Ole's usual 4-2-3-1 system. We might use him from the left on occasion too, as that is where the space is likely to be.
I think that's probably it for Pogba in a midfield two - Ronaldo had some of the lowest numbers in Europe's top 5 leagues last season for pressing and ball recoveries, so we'll want to make sure midfield is bolstered with Fred/Matic and McTominay together most games.
I think that's probably it for Pogba in a midfield two - Ronaldo had some of the lowest numbers in Europe's top 5 leagues last season for pressing and ball recoveries, so we'll want to make sure midfield is bolstered with Fred/Matic and McTominay together most games.
We don’t have a midfield so let’s skip that in favour of all out attack and hope Varane, Maguire and Co can keep the goals tally down at the other end
De Gea
AWB Varane Maguire Shaw
Sancho Bruno Pogba Rashford
Cavani. Ronaldo
De Gea
AWB Varane Maguire Shaw
Sancho Bruno Pogba Rashford
Cavani. Ronaldo
Funnily enough, I do.
Rashford will be out for a little while yet, and Sancho is likely to start mist games during that time.
Should we get him up to speed, and he's firing on all cylinders do you think we will drop Sancho to the bench once Rashford is back and hasnt played for months? Greenwood looks like he is firmly cementing his place, whilst Ronaldo will also be starting most matches, so he wont simply slide back into a starting berth.
Plus, healthy competition out on the left
Really don’t care who plays as long as they perform better then their competition. Martial played better then Sancho on the left last time so should play. Sancho need to wake up, we can’t afford a passenger, he has to be up to speed or stay on the bench ! Training is there to get inform not 3 points league games !
In Rashford case, we will see, but I can see him come back in top form and he looks to me hungrier then Martial and Sancho.
Would love Greenwood and Rashford on each side as nothing beats local lads on the pitch !!!
By the way, I did not take injuries into account because we are speaking of the best eleven. And the one who performed better on the left for us since a while is simply Rashford.
That’s really concerning going from Cavani who was leading our pressing from the front to Martial like figure when defending can bring certain issues to the table. The more I think about this transfer the less optimistic I’m about our chances unless Ole will suddenly grow a backbone and won’t be afraid of benching Ronaldo when it’s not working for us a team.
I see a lot of people have McT-Pogba in their lineups without Fred good luck beating high pressing units that are well drilled with guys in midfield who have high centre of gravity, in addition Scott is hiding constantly in those situations.
Interesting formation buttercup. My only concern is McT's passing seems a bit suspect. But i'd totally try it considering Fred's last "performance"
To make sure we're balanced, I'd say we have this as competition for every position:
Gk: De Gea/Henderson
RB: Wan Bissaka/Dalot
CB1: Maguire/Lindelof
CB2: Varane/Bailly
LB: Shaw/Telles
Cdm: Fred/Matic
CM: McTominay/Pogba/Van de Beek
#10: Bruno/Pogba/Lingard
Creative Wing: Pogba/Sancho
Inside Forward: Rashford/Greenwood/Martial
Striker: Ronaldo/Cavani/Martial
I think that's how Ole sees it too. Sancho is a creative winger option so I'd say for the season he's essentially competing with Pogba for that. No use asking him to be an inside forward, not his game and using him and Pogba together on the wings I suspect would make one of them pretty quiet. Same with using Rashford and Greenwood together on the wings, doesn't work that well. Need one or the other IMO.
Gk: De Gea/Henderson
RB: Wan Bissaka/Dalot
CB1: Maguire/Lindelof
CB2: Varane/Bailly
LB: Shaw/Telles
Cdm: Fred/Matic
CM: McTominay/Pogba/Van de Beek
#10: Bruno/Pogba/Lingard
Creative Wing: Pogba/Sancho
Inside Forward: Rashford/Greenwood/Martial
Striker: Ronaldo/Cavani/Martial
I think that's how Ole sees it too. Sancho is a creative winger option so I'd say for the season he's essentially competing with Pogba for that. No use asking him to be an inside forward, not his game and using him and Pogba together on the wings I suspect would make one of them pretty quiet. Same with using Rashford and Greenwood together on the wings, doesn't work that well. Need one or the other IMO.
I expect to see more of VdB after the noises made over the last week.
Imagine it will a Fred and Donny midfield until McT returns, with Greenwood on the right and Pogba left, CR7 through the middle with Bruno behind. I expect Greenwood and Pogba to rotate with Sancho, and Rashy when he returns. Cant see Martial getting much game time as Cavani will be ahead of him, but great option(s) to have.
Imagine it will a Fred and Donny midfield until McT returns, with Greenwood on the right and Pogba left, CR7 through the middle with Bruno behind. I expect Greenwood and Pogba to rotate with Sancho, and Rashy when he returns. Cant see Martial getting much game time as Cavani will be ahead of him, but great option(s) to have.
Surely, the lineup will have to change depending on opposition. For example, McFred have to start vs top 6 and Leeds/Southampton.
We can easily play with just McT vs teams that mainly sit back. VDB should be given a chance vs teams where we are having possession in the final third but unable to do anything as he moves well between the lines. Similarly, Cavani and Ron can play against more stubborn defences who are well drilled to pull people out of position.
I think it could work McT playing more Like a hybrid of a CB and DM sitting just in front of Maguire and Varane. He plays further back for Scotland so Maybe we could utilise this formation . Maguire and Varane are good on the ball so They could do alot of the link up going forward. Just a thought.
Team A: De gea ----Wan bissaka Varane Maguire Shaw Mctominay Pogba - Sancho Bruno Rashford - CR7
Team B: Henderson/Heaton - Dalot Bailly Lindeloff Telles - Fred/ Matic Van De Beek - Greenwood Lingard/Mata Martial/Elanga - Cavani/Greenwood
Team B: Henderson/Heaton - Dalot Bailly Lindeloff Telles - Fred/ Matic Van De Beek - Greenwood Lingard/Mata Martial/Elanga - Cavani/Greenwood
At some point, I'd like to see a front line of
Greenwood Cavani Ronaldo
Ronny can and will start wide from time to time. Did at Juve
Greenwood Cavani Ronaldo
Ronny can and will start wide from time to time. Did at Juve
Agree, for the big games, with Cavani, Greenwood to come on, and Matic off the bench if needed, and Martial as well even DVB options now.
Excuse the numbers, but this is what i'd like to see considering our current options
the numbers are fine its the fact that it looks like Arsenal that is freaking me outExcuse the numbers, but this is what i'd like to see considering our current options
. Good line up thoughBeen thinking about how we find balance with Ronaldo in the side and ironically the tactic of Pogba on the left might just be the solution…
Ronaldo
Pogba Bruno Mason
McFred
Shaw HM Rafa AWB
GK
Many are concerned about Ronaldo and Bruno functioning in the same team. But the interesting thing about this lineup is that it effectively functions as a 433 with Pogba naturally dropping into midfield, Ronaldo naturally drifting to the left and Bruno always looking to push the channels.
This gives us an extra body in midfield in Pogba who we know has a killer final ball from that slightly more advanced position feeding three absolute killers in front of him. The more I think about it the more excited I get at this prospect.
I just hope Ole doesn’t get too distracted in trying to get everyone games and / or fitting all his weapons into one side as I think we will be totally unbalanced with Rashford or Sancho on the left instead of Pogba. We could probably get by against some of the lesser sides, but there are no easy matches in the PL.
Ronaldo
Pogba Bruno Mason
McFred
Shaw HM Rafa AWB
GK
Many are concerned about Ronaldo and Bruno functioning in the same team. But the interesting thing about this lineup is that it effectively functions as a 433 with Pogba naturally dropping into midfield, Ronaldo naturally drifting to the left and Bruno always looking to push the channels.
This gives us an extra body in midfield in Pogba who we know has a killer final ball from that slightly more advanced position feeding three absolute killers in front of him. The more I think about it the more excited I get at this prospect.
I just hope Ole doesn’t get too distracted in trying to get everyone games and / or fitting all his weapons into one side as I think we will be totally unbalanced with Rashford or Sancho on the left instead of Pogba. We could probably get by against some of the lesser sides, but there are no easy matches in the PL.
Very much agree with this. Against Southampton our front four were all in a line. If we had Pogba on the left we would’ve had much more balance. Ontop of that Bruno kept getting in the way of Greenwood and were clogging up each-others lanes. With Ronaldo instead of Greenwood at striker he will be able to drift left and allow Bruno to make his attacking runs. Really hope Ole tries this lineup against Newcastle I could see us absolutely thrashing them
?
Fred is the one that turns the ball over a lot to a high press. McT can uses his physicality to hold off a defender. It's a bit awkward to watch but he does fine.
I see lot of people have Rashford in there. Assuming we play Pogba deeper, do our fans really rate Rashford above Greenwood? Greenwood is ahead of him any day of the week for me.
Truth is we have no one to link midfield and attack when Pogba is deep. He always makes things happen, but the balance is all gone in that case. Vital that we keep playing him on the left.
But it’s the natural tendencies in movement of Pogba, Ronaldo and Bruno in this alignment which makes it such an interesting prospect with Greenwood obviously terrorizing down the right. Could be really fun stuff to watch.
Let us hope.
I actually think the opposite; Pogba will play more frequently in a midfield 2, especially against weaker sides. If you have Ronaldo up front or LW, you need the player closest to him to be a high energy pressing player. Presumably that will be Rashford/Sancho if Ronaldo is up front, or Cavani if he's on the left wing.
I know Pogba playing deeper presents risks in midfield, but he also progresses the ball more than any other midfielder we have. Personally I would bite the bullet and play him as one of the two. You put Fred and McTom next to him and also drag Bruno 10-15 yards deeper to add legs and another passing option, rather than playing him as a second striker.
It would be different in big games though, when I'd rather go with the McFred midfield and play more on the counter.
back 4
Scott Fred
Greenwood bruno pogba
ronaldo
Scott Fred
Greenwood bruno pogba
ronaldo
They go through periods of having the spot. Rashford when fit and at his best is a level Greenwood hasn't shown yet with his overall play or movement. Both are excellent options as wide forwards and they'll rotate anyway. Rashford offers a lot more of a threat moving with the ball, with his passing/bits of creativity, dribbling, and he has very good movement from the wing. Greenwood is still learning with that, and his game is pretty exclusively built towards efficient finishing and being safe with his passing and dribbling. He doesn't get in loads of high quality chances yet, so his goals will be streaky as he relies so much on high efficiency (19/20 - 10 goals from 3.39 xg, 20/21 - 7 goals from 6.98 xg, this season - 3 goals from 1.03 xg). He's been at the roughly 0.34xg/90 mark, while Rashford in 18/19 was at 0.44/90 and in 19/20 he was at 0.59 xg/90 (with pens though). But he's shown extended periods of being in the 0.45 range essentially, which combined with a solid creation is an excellent level from your wide forward. Greenwood has some way to go to reach peak Rashford level still, but he's a teenager.
Can't do it with Pogba + Bruno + One of McFred as the midfield. You don't really want Ronaldo tracking the RB, so he'll stay high up and Pogba has to go wide and close the RB down. Leaves Fred isolated in the middle against 2-3 oppostion midfielders.
If we play McFred and Bruno / Cavani drop deep into the position that Fred vacates, it could work. We do this a few times when we set up to counter attack with Rashford staying high up the pitch.
--- Ronaldo --- Cavani ----------------------
---------------- Bruno ------ Greenwood --
----------- Fred ---- McT -----------------------
-- Shaw -- Maguire -- Varane -- AwB --
---------------- DDG ---------------------------------
I rate Rashford over Sancho personally.
I think people have forgotten how good Rashford was before his niggling injuries took over.
Even during project restart, he was the 2nd most creative player in the Premier League behind De Bruyne.
He's been our best attacker under Ole.
Would love to see this side
De Gea - Varane, Maguire, Lindelof - Shaw, Bruno, Pogba, Mc Tominay, Rashford/Sancho - Ronaldo, Greenwood
A bit harsh on AWB - but with our midfield, I think this could be our strongest line-up. Shaw could absolutely work as a wingback and both Sancho and Rashford are fit and fast enough to do a job there. With 3 at the back - we only need McTominay as a defensive midfielder and we would have good cover at the back.
De Gea - Varane, Maguire, Lindelof - Shaw, Bruno, Pogba, Mc Tominay, Rashford/Sancho - Ronaldo, Greenwood
A bit harsh on AWB - but with our midfield, I think this could be our strongest line-up. Shaw could absolutely work as a wingback and both Sancho and Rashford are fit and fast enough to do a job there. With 3 at the back - we only need McTominay as a defensive midfielder and we would have good cover at the back.
My best balanced team:
-----------------Ronaldo---------------
Pogba--------Bruno----Greenwood
-----------Fred----McTominay------
Shaw--Maguire--Varane--WanBissaka
------------------DeGea--------------
Rashford/Pogba depending on opposition.
-----------------Ronaldo---------------
Pogba--------Bruno----Greenwood
-----------Fred----McTominay------
Shaw--Maguire--Varane--WanBissaka
------------------DeGea--------------
Rashford/Pogba depending on opposition.
I expect that the "high energy" player you speak of will in fact be Bruno, who will essentially partner Ronaldo up front a lot of the time (similar to the 4-2-4(ish) system we played in possession vs Wolves).
I think Pogba will mostly play from the left (at least until such time as it becomes obvious he isn't going to accept our contract renewal, by which time Rashford will probably be fit).
It will be this at present based on form and ole's unwillingness to switch from a 4231. Sancho can either force Greenwood out of the team based on his form or if both become undroppable then force Ole into a formation change to something like this (or else just a reg 433 based on the below players):
Fair point @Eddy_JukeZ and @bosnian_red and thanks for the stats! I can wrap my head around what Rashford offers but for me, there is a clumsiness and a touch that lacks finesse to this game that just makes him so unreliable, maybe I am being harsh on him, I just feel the least confident when the ball is at his feet in dangerous positions but I have to say the xG stats open an interesting discussion.
Ronny will I think be used in the main as a striker with Cavani, Greenwood and Martial. But there is flexibility with 3 of those that can play wider if needed. Cavani for me is the out and out front man, out of those 4. My starting 11 .
..............DDG..........
AWB...Varane.....Maguire.....Shaw..
...............Mctom...Pogba....
Sancho....Bruno......Rashford...
.............Ronny.........
But I'd be wary on Dropping Greenwood at present and if he keeps this up Rashford , or Sancho on bench.
..............DDG..........
AWB...Varane.....Maguire.....Shaw..
...............Mctom...Pogba....
Sancho....Bruno......Rashford...
.............Ronny.........
But I'd be wary on Dropping Greenwood at present and if he keeps this up Rashford , or Sancho on bench.
De Gea
AWB Varane Harry Shaw
Donny Matic
Mason Bruno Pogba
CR7
Do it Ole!
AWB Varane Harry Shaw
Donny Matic
Mason Bruno Pogba
CR7
Do it Ole!
I do not like Pogba in a two however I do think he can play with Mctominay in there because we need a physical presence when Pogba goes forward.
I love Greenwood but I think with Ronaldo upfront we can play the below and it’s just about our best team with added creativity.
———————Ronaldo———————
—-Rashford———————Sancho
————————Bruno———————
———Pogba————————————
——————————Mctominay——-
Shaw—————————————AWB
—————Maguire—-Varane————
—————————DDG———————-
Fred, Lindelof, Greenwood, Cavani, Henderson, VDB, Diallo.
Great backup options.
I feel I’m being optimistic and as the season goes on Fred will slowly come in for Pogba.
I love Greenwood but I think with Ronaldo upfront we can play the below and it’s just about our best team with added creativity.
———————Ronaldo———————
—-Rashford———————Sancho
————————Bruno———————
———Pogba————————————
——————————Mctominay——-
Shaw—————————————AWB
—————Maguire—-Varane————
—————————DDG———————-
Fred, Lindelof, Greenwood, Cavani, Henderson, VDB, Diallo.
Great backup options.
I feel I’m being optimistic and as the season goes on Fred will slowly come in for Pogba.
I like this a lot IF Bruno Pogba and Mason press