Running up and down the wing. Wracking in low crosses against the oppositions players shins.
Amorim 3-4-3 with classic UTD players
- Thread starter FriedClams
- Start date
Van Der Sar
Neville--Ferdinand--Stam
Beckham--Keane--Scholes--Irwin
Rooney--Cantona
Ronaldo
Neville--Ferdinand--Stam
Beckham--Keane--Scholes--Irwin
Rooney--Cantona
Ronaldo
Agreed. Absolute tank. He'd be my RWB in an all time PL XI formation with wing backs.
not sure Onana can do it either
Not at all. I think Kagawa was a great signing, saw glimpses of what he was capable of. His runs used to get ignored by most of our players who either couldn’t see it or lacked the ability to make the angled passes/1 twos his runs required. No coincidence he combined best with Mata. I remember there was a match vs Newcastle and Mata post interview was basically shouting out loud to Moyes me & Kagawa are the way forward.
I think if SAF stayed an extra few years. Kagawa would been our starting 10, Rooney would have left that summer Moyes came.
Van Der Sar
Stam Varane Rio
Kanchelkis. Irwin
Keane Robson
Ronaldo. Cantona
RVN
Stam Varane Rio
Kanchelkis. Irwin
Keane Robson
Ronaldo. Cantona
RVN
Watchin Sporting under Amorim, Valencia would not be perfect, he can only go one way which is on the outside, he can't cut inside if required, had a none existent left foot, he was not the best at high crosses and his shooting wasn't that good.
All he had going for him is strength, speed, the ability to run fast past his man, and powerful drilled crosses, which weren't exactly accurate. He used to frustrate the life out of us supporters from the amount of times he would drill the ball into the opponents legs. He was never known for taking risks either, he didn't get the nickname Turnback Tony for nothing.
Frightening that team.
Even more frightening, prime Rooney could fit anywhere in that team from CF, 10, CM, to LWB.
To be honest I don't think Kagawa would have ever succeeded here. Maybe the idea was to have him in the 10 but I don't think we ever set up in a way that was gonna play to his strengths, he was a system player through and through.
Sir Alex was preparing to sell Rooney and was going to sign Lewandowski to replace him. Lewandowski and Kagawa had a great connection at Dortmund, so that would have got the best out of Kagawa.
VDS
Rio - Stam - Silvestre
Beckham - Keane - Scholes - Giggs
Cantona - Rooney
RVN
My odd-man would be Silvestre who at his peak, I think would have been great in a back three.
Nearly had pre-injury Valencia instead of Beckham as I think his speed is what's needed. Beckham's hard work and passing range would have made up for it.
Don't get putting Ronaldo as a 10. I don't think he's great under pressure in the middle and he wouldn't be a team player so you'd lack creativity. It'd have to be striker or nothing and Ruud was just so dominate in the box when we needed it. Tevez gets in before Ronaldo due to his range. With Cantona and Rooney already out there, you'd want someone who could play as a 9 or 10.
Bench 7:
Rio - Stam - Silvestre
Beckham - Keane - Scholes - Giggs
Cantona - Rooney
RVN
My odd-man would be Silvestre who at his peak, I think would have been great in a back three.
Nearly had pre-injury Valencia instead of Beckham as I think his speed is what's needed. Beckham's hard work and passing range would have made up for it.
Don't get putting Ronaldo as a 10. I don't think he's great under pressure in the middle and he wouldn't be a team player so you'd lack creativity. It'd have to be striker or nothing and Ruud was just so dominate in the box when we needed it. Tevez gets in before Ronaldo due to his range. With Cantona and Rooney already out there, you'd want someone who could play as a 9 or 10.
Bench 7:
- Great Dane
- Vidic (limited as a R/LCB but CBs off the bench are rare and usually to update the tactics/formation so he's there)
- Evra (can play LCB and LWB)
- Carrick (need disciple in center, can also play CB)
- Ince (nuff said)
- Park (just because I really loved watching him and could have played in a lot of positions which was always important to Fergie's brand of football - RWB, 10)
- Veron (a perfect 10 and could play in the center)
- Tevez (can play a 10 or 9)
Van Der Sar
Neville - Ferdinand - Irwin
Beckham - Keane - Scholes - Giggs
Ronaldo - Rooney
Van Nistelrooy
Neville - Ferdinand - Irwin
Beckham - Keane - Scholes - Giggs
Ronaldo - Rooney
Van Nistelrooy
This is very, very close to how I'd play it.
Blind is the obvious weak link so I'd probably opt for Irwin there instead. Heinze maybe would do okay too.
Rooney up top had the qualities needed to play alone in any situation (against a high line, against a team sitting deep, run the channels, score goals, drop deeper and create for the #10 or wingbacks).
How about an XI of less glamorous names from SAF's era that would suit this system.
Saha
Welbeck --- J.S. Park
Young -- Anderson -- Fletcher -- Rafael
Silvestre -- Blanc -- Brown
Barthez
I think that team would do pretty well honestly. Can't think of a left footed #10 though.
Saha
Welbeck --- J.S. Park
Young -- Anderson -- Fletcher -- Rafael
Silvestre -- Blanc -- Brown
Barthez
Forlan could work.
Jesus christ, no.. He was as average as they come and he never kicked on after leaving either, even though he was in his prime. He is like Anderson, hyped to the moon on here
I agree he was a system player. That’s why I think he would have worked. If you look at what they about SAF, his plan was to change United to a more “European style” by that I’m guessing system, and is likely why he bought Kagawa. Of course he would have needed other players to compliment him. But I can only imagine what SAF would have done with a £100m plus transfer budget in 13-15s
Which is why I mentioned prime valencia to omit his drawbacks
Eh, why not
Not sure if Giggs and Becks are good enough defensively, or if Becks would be fast enough. Kanchelskis might be better, but I love Becks, so...there. Because of that I packed the centre with physical and fast players. With Rio there he has a chance. Very few of our classic CBs would suit this system, so I went with Irwin in LCB and Staam in the centre.
Midfield is simple enough. Keane and Robo, our best midfielders. Scholes just lost out to Robo because of physicial attributes, especially given that the front 3 will create most of the chances.
In the 10, Rooney and Cristiano are two of the best we have ever had. Cristiano's talent was such he could have played anywhere in that front three and dominated. While Rooney is probably the most versatile player we have had. They would strike terror into any defence.
Eric is the King, he must play.
Schmeichel
Rio - Staam - Irwin
Beckham ----‐‐----‐‐-----------Giggs
Keane - Robo
Cristiano - Rooney
Cantona
Rio - Staam - Irwin
Beckham ----‐‐----‐‐-----------Giggs
Keane - Robo
Cristiano - Rooney
Cantona
Not sure if Giggs and Becks are good enough defensively, or if Becks would be fast enough. Kanchelskis might be better, but I love Becks, so...there. Because of that I packed the centre with physical and fast players. With Rio there he has a chance. Very few of our classic CBs would suit this system, so I went with Irwin in LCB and Staam in the centre.
Midfield is simple enough. Keane and Robo, our best midfielders. Scholes just lost out to Robo because of physicial attributes, especially given that the front 3 will create most of the chances.
In the 10, Rooney and Cristiano are two of the best we have ever had. Cristiano's talent was such he could have played anywhere in that front three and dominated. While Rooney is probably the most versatile player we have had. They would strike terror into any defence.
Eric is the King, he must play.
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Holy shit, this could well be the greatest 3-4-3 side of all time.
Van Der Sar ( Schmeichel )
Stan ( G Neville )
Ferdinand
Vidic ( Pallister )
Kanchelskis ( Beckham )
Keane ( Ince )
Robson ( Scholes )
Giggs ( Evra ) ( Irwin )
Rooney ( Ronaldo )
Cantona
Ruud ( Tevez )
I actually feel the 94 team is suited to modern football the best fast and direct with power. My logic is Irwin can play both WB positions, Giggs and Scholes can play in the front three if needed, Beckham can also tuck into CM, Ronaldo can play up front too
Stan ( G Neville )
Ferdinand
Vidic ( Pallister )
Kanchelskis ( Beckham )
Keane ( Ince )
Robson ( Scholes )
Giggs ( Evra ) ( Irwin )
Rooney ( Ronaldo )
Cantona
Ruud ( Tevez )
I actually feel the 94 team is suited to modern football the best fast and direct with power. My logic is Irwin can play both WB positions, Giggs and Scholes can play in the front three if needed, Beckham can also tuck into CM, Ronaldo can play up front too
Nice thread idea, brings back lots of nostalgia but also in a bitter sweet way demonstrating how bad we are now compared to all these amazing players.
A few great players who wouldn't quite fit the system would be:
- Vidic - especially not at LCB, and feel there were better passers who could play Central CB (Rio/Stam)
- Scholes - Would still sort of work in either CM or LAM, but just not as well as others
- Cantona - Again, could still work in any of the front positions and play the CF role as more of a false 9, just none of the roles would be his best position (not sure I can leave him out though...)
- Ronaldo - As others have said, work ethic or ability in tight central spaces means it's not quite the best system for him, but saw a video of some goals of the Ronaldo/Tevez/Rooney system and they did have some incredible link up centrally so those 3 would be a good interchangeable combo for those positions
- RVN - Bloody loved him, just think there would be better players for CF for linking with the other forwards (e.g. Cole, Yorke, Rooney, RVP, Forlan, Saha)
Then a few players who may have been elevated and stayed longer/impressed more in the system, such as:
- Blind - perfect for LCB in a back three whereas he wasn't really physical enough to be one of the two CBs in the Prem
- Kanchelskis - The ultimate versatile player for this system, don't think he'll make my first 11 but definitely a squad option to cover RWB/LWB/RAM/LAM
- Ince - Had everything for the CM role
- Veron - Maybe not as suited as the two below, but definitely would've suited him better than 442!
- Kagawa - As others have mentioned
- Mata - Could've been so much better for us had we played this system with him at RAM
Still, none of those would make my starting 11 as there's a legend for every position:
VdS
Rio Stam Irwin
Beckham Keane Robson Giggs
Rooney Cantona
RVP
Subs: Schmeichel, Vidic, Blind, Kanchelskis, Ince, Mata, Cole, Yorke, Ronaldo
Hardest positions I found to pick was the front 3. Went with those 3 as couldn't not pick Rooney or Cantona, and then think RVP could be a good option to compliment them in a very fluid front 3 - then there would still be a left footed RAM when he interchanges with Rooney.
Also hard to pick the bench and leave out Scholes...but felt I couldn't exceed 9 subs and couldn't pick between him or Mata as the unlock stubborn defences sub option.
A few great players who wouldn't quite fit the system would be:
- Vidic - especially not at LCB, and feel there were better passers who could play Central CB (Rio/Stam)
- Scholes - Would still sort of work in either CM or LAM, but just not as well as others
- Cantona - Again, could still work in any of the front positions and play the CF role as more of a false 9, just none of the roles would be his best position (not sure I can leave him out though...)
- Ronaldo - As others have said, work ethic or ability in tight central spaces means it's not quite the best system for him, but saw a video of some goals of the Ronaldo/Tevez/Rooney system and they did have some incredible link up centrally so those 3 would be a good interchangeable combo for those positions
- RVN - Bloody loved him, just think there would be better players for CF for linking with the other forwards (e.g. Cole, Yorke, Rooney, RVP, Forlan, Saha)
Then a few players who may have been elevated and stayed longer/impressed more in the system, such as:
- Blind - perfect for LCB in a back three whereas he wasn't really physical enough to be one of the two CBs in the Prem
- Kanchelskis - The ultimate versatile player for this system, don't think he'll make my first 11 but definitely a squad option to cover RWB/LWB/RAM/LAM
- Ince - Had everything for the CM role
- Veron - Maybe not as suited as the two below, but definitely would've suited him better than 442!
- Kagawa - As others have mentioned
- Mata - Could've been so much better for us had we played this system with him at RAM
Still, none of those would make my starting 11 as there's a legend for every position:
VdS
Rio Stam Irwin
Beckham Keane Robson Giggs
Rooney Cantona
RVP
Subs: Schmeichel, Vidic, Blind, Kanchelskis, Ince, Mata, Cole, Yorke, Ronaldo
Hardest positions I found to pick was the front 3. Went with those 3 as couldn't not pick Rooney or Cantona, and then think RVP could be a good option to compliment them in a very fluid front 3 - then there would still be a left footed RAM when he interchanges with Rooney.
Also hard to pick the bench and leave out Scholes...but felt I couldn't exceed 9 subs and couldn't pick between him or Mata as the unlock stubborn defences sub option.
Dunno about the rest, but a fantasy front 3 of Sancho, Rashford and Antony looks like it would do the trick against anybody.
And we might even be lucky enough to get the chance to see it next season.
And we might even be lucky enough to get the chance to see it next season.
Jordi Cruyff?
Blomqvist?
This just reads like you only remember the Ronaldo from his last stint with us. 06-08 Ronaldo constantly drove through the middle of the pitch and set up teammates.
2008 Wes Brown would have been an incredible RCB.
I think the obvious names that have to be in are Stam/Rio/Rooney/Keane/Giggs/Beckham. All of those players fit like a glove. Then I think you have to find room for Ronaldo because, like it or not, he's the best player available and at his peak was more than good enough to play in any side and system (like Messi, players of that caliber you build the tactics around, not fit them into rigid tactics). The real debates are for the third forward spot, Keane's partner in the middle, and that third CB. There's so many great players that have a shout for working in those spots I'd understand whoever someone chooses.
Rio and Evra would both be brilliant
GK: VDS
RCB: Rio
CB: Vidic
LCB: Stam
RWB: Beckham
CM: Keane
CM: Robson
LWB: Irwin
RF: Rooney
LF: Young Scholes
CF: Cantona
RCB: Rio
CB: Vidic
LCB: Stam
RWB: Beckham
CM: Keane
CM: Robson
LWB: Irwin
RF: Rooney
LF: Young Scholes
CF: Cantona
I wonder how the 2021 version of Ronaldo would have fit into this system... I feel like maybe better than Ole's? Certainly better than in Rangnick/Ten Hag's.
I think Sharpe would be more suited to a wing back role than Giggs, then you use Giggs as the left 10.
I think in the PL the wing back is going to have to be a solid defensive player, it isn't Portugal where wingers can play the role due to the quality gap between the top few and the rest, this is going to be the challenge for Amorin, don't see Amad as a viable long term option there.
I think in the PL the wing back is going to have to be a solid defensive player, it isn't Portugal where wingers can play the role due to the quality gap between the top few and the rest, this is going to be the challenge for Amorin, don't see Amad as a viable long term option there.
Sharpe is a good shout. Played a fair few games for us at left back despite being a natural winger so you’d think wing-back would have suited him well.
As opposed to cutting in and sending it over the bar time and time again.
This is a bit more interesting.
Cole
J.S. Park --- Solskjaer
Young -- Carrick -- Fletcher -- Rafael
Heinze -- Pallister -- Brown
Tim Howard
J.S. Park --- Solskjaer
Young -- Carrick -- Fletcher -- Rafael
Heinze -- Pallister -- Brown
Tim Howard
SAF and Amorim played a different style of football which means that certain players who were amazing under SAF might not even feature in Amorim's team. However here's my thought about it
------------------------Schmeichel---------------------
---------------Rio-----Stam-----Silvestre------------
Beckham-----Keane------Ince-----------Irwin
-----------------Ronaldo----Rooney------------
---------------------Van Persie-------------------
GK: Schmeichel - Both SAF and Amorim agree on the skillset that a top GK should have. He needs to be dominant in the box, he needs to be a leader, he needs to be amazing in terms of shot stopping and in crosses. The great Dane would be perfect in the Amorim system
CBs: Rio-Stam-Silvestre Here's were things start getting complicated. SAF played with 2 CBs which meant that there was a lot of pressure on them to be good in everything. That wasn't always possible of course as perfect CBs rarely exist. Amorim's 3 CB system on the other hand allows specialization. Amorim plays with a traditional type of CB in the middle (dominant in air, great position, great physical presence etc) and two quick CBs who can help cover the spaces left by the wingbacks. Stam is a no brainer for the first role, Rio's pace makes him perfect for the RCB but the LCB is tricky. Vidic was amazing but I always felt that he lacked the pace to cover the space left by Evra. That wasn't an issue in SAF system as he had loads of other attributes to compensate. But in Amorim's system pace and ability to understand the wingback is what he needs from a LCB. Hence I think Mickey would be more appropriate in this role. Sure he was a way inferior CB as opposed to Vidic but he had pace, he was half decent in air (not great but good enough in a 3 men CB with Stam and Rio) and he knew what being a WB is all about.
LWB- Irwin. That's tough because both Irwin and Evra fits into it like a glove. I'd go for Irwin because he was better defensively and had a better cross which seems something Amorim value in a wingback + I met the two and Irwin is the most intelligent United footballer I've ever met. His tactical depth is top notch
RWB - Beckham. Workrate - tick, Presence - tick, Crosses - tick, physical attributes - tick. Need to ask more?
DM - Ince. Amorim loves his DM to be a workhorse beast. Someone who can go up and down the pitch, disrupt the play, have a dominance presence and eat players for breakfast. Keane was the better player but Ince was the better DM.
No 8 - Keane. Amorim puts huge pressure on the no 8 who must be able to do everything competently. Hence why everyone in the current team seem to struggle in that role. There's no one I can think of that is more appropriate in that role then Roy Keane. It would also be nice to see the modern footballer face the Ince-Keane duo. I reckon most would call sick
No 10 - Rooney- Ronaldo. Amorim plays with 2 No 10s one of whom is a hardworking traditional no 10 who can score goals and create assists and the other is a converted winger. For the first role its a battle between Rooney and Scholes. I think that Rooney would edge it because of his physicality and workrate. The other 10 is a no brainer ie Cristiano Ronaldo.
STK - Van Persie - Amorim expects his striker to be of a huge physical presence, whose good in air, lethal in the box and be able to drop deep and create spaces for others. This was a battle between Ruud and Van Persie but I think the latter edges it for his ability to drop deep and help in the gameplay while still being a goal scoring machine (though not as good as Ruud)
------------------------Schmeichel---------------------
---------------Rio-----Stam-----Silvestre------------
Beckham-----Keane------Ince-----------Irwin
-----------------Ronaldo----Rooney------------
---------------------Van Persie-------------------
GK: Schmeichel - Both SAF and Amorim agree on the skillset that a top GK should have. He needs to be dominant in the box, he needs to be a leader, he needs to be amazing in terms of shot stopping and in crosses. The great Dane would be perfect in the Amorim system
CBs: Rio-Stam-Silvestre Here's were things start getting complicated. SAF played with 2 CBs which meant that there was a lot of pressure on them to be good in everything. That wasn't always possible of course as perfect CBs rarely exist. Amorim's 3 CB system on the other hand allows specialization. Amorim plays with a traditional type of CB in the middle (dominant in air, great position, great physical presence etc) and two quick CBs who can help cover the spaces left by the wingbacks. Stam is a no brainer for the first role, Rio's pace makes him perfect for the RCB but the LCB is tricky. Vidic was amazing but I always felt that he lacked the pace to cover the space left by Evra. That wasn't an issue in SAF system as he had loads of other attributes to compensate. But in Amorim's system pace and ability to understand the wingback is what he needs from a LCB. Hence I think Mickey would be more appropriate in this role. Sure he was a way inferior CB as opposed to Vidic but he had pace, he was half decent in air (not great but good enough in a 3 men CB with Stam and Rio) and he knew what being a WB is all about.
LWB- Irwin. That's tough because both Irwin and Evra fits into it like a glove. I'd go for Irwin because he was better defensively and had a better cross which seems something Amorim value in a wingback + I met the two and Irwin is the most intelligent United footballer I've ever met. His tactical depth is top notch
RWB - Beckham. Workrate - tick, Presence - tick, Crosses - tick, physical attributes - tick. Need to ask more?
DM - Ince. Amorim loves his DM to be a workhorse beast. Someone who can go up and down the pitch, disrupt the play, have a dominance presence and eat players for breakfast. Keane was the better player but Ince was the better DM.
No 8 - Keane. Amorim puts huge pressure on the no 8 who must be able to do everything competently. Hence why everyone in the current team seem to struggle in that role. There's no one I can think of that is more appropriate in that role then Roy Keane. It would also be nice to see the modern footballer face the Ince-Keane duo. I reckon most would call sick
No 10 - Rooney- Ronaldo. Amorim plays with 2 No 10s one of whom is a hardworking traditional no 10 who can score goals and create assists and the other is a converted winger. For the first role its a battle between Rooney and Scholes. I think that Rooney would edge it because of his physicality and workrate. The other 10 is a no brainer ie Cristiano Ronaldo.
STK - Van Persie - Amorim expects his striker to be of a huge physical presence, whose good in air, lethal in the box and be able to drop deep and create spaces for others. This was a battle between Ruud and Van Persie but I think the latter edges it for his ability to drop deep and help in the gameplay while still being a goal scoring machine (though not as good as Ruud)
There are certainly some interesting selections on here already - and every single one of them infinitely better than what we currently have. Sylvestre and Kagawa? I'd take them both today!
However, I've gone with:
VDS
Carrick, Rio, Stam
Irwin Keane Scholes Evra
Beckham Rooney Giggs
Captain: Keane. Penalties: Irwin: Free kicks: take your pick.
Obviously there's some big names left out, but all my selections are quality footballers and workhorses. Carrick did play CB at times, but both he and Rio would be perfectly suited to pushing into midfield, carrying the ball.
I know Irwin mostly played on the left, but he was a solid RB and I wanted to include Evra.
Bench: Schmeichel, Neville, Vidic, Robson, Park, Sharpe, Ronaldo, Cantona, Ruud.
However, I've gone with:
VDS
Carrick, Rio, Stam
Irwin Keane Scholes Evra
Beckham Rooney Giggs
Captain: Keane. Penalties: Irwin: Free kicks: take your pick.
Obviously there's some big names left out, but all my selections are quality footballers and workhorses. Carrick did play CB at times, but both he and Rio would be perfectly suited to pushing into midfield, carrying the ball.
I know Irwin mostly played on the left, but he was a solid RB and I wanted to include Evra.
Bench: Schmeichel, Neville, Vidic, Robson, Park, Sharpe, Ronaldo, Cantona, Ruud.
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