Can we please just play a midfield 3...and stick with it this time!

[BringNaniBack]

Pogba clearly isn't a midfielder who should be playing deep, he is best in an advanced / attacking midfield position and to play him there we either need a quality defensive midfielder (which we don't have) or we play two midfielders behind him. In Mctominay and Fred we have the two ideal candidates for that. Neither are defensive midfielders but both can tackle and are good at chasing down the ball, they are both box to box type midfielders IMO.

Mctominay and Fred behind Pogba in a midfield 3 would make us more solid defensively and get our most creative player in Pogba further up the pitch to improve our attack.

I don't see a better system for us at the moment and I hope Ole gives this a try once all 3 are fit.

 

[HowieC]

The most logical system.

 

[Lee565]

But I dont think we have the right personal to even play a midfield 3 with pogba in it because we dont have a deep lying/defensive midfielder that we can trust without at least 2 other hardworking midfielders around them to cover for their weaknesses and pogba is not going to do what is needed to give our midfield balance.

Either we try to play without pogba in the side or go with either 4121 and have pogba at the top of the diamond or really experiment and try to use him as a false 9 in a 433 formation

 

[MadDogg]

I think we were all surprised at the beginning of the preseason that Ole moved to 4231. 433 seems to fit out players better, and it's what he used when he first joined us last season and we went on that great run. I guess maybe he feels he hasn't got that third midfielder, but hopefully Fred (or possibly Gomes now that the cup games are about to start) can stake a claim.

 

[Sir Scott McToMinay]

Pogba clearly isn't a midfielder who should be playing deep, he is best in an advanced / attacking midfield position and to play him there we either need a quality defensive midfielder (which we don't have) or we play two midfielders behind him. In Mctominay and Fred we have the two ideal candidates for that. Neither are defensive midfielders but both can tackle and are good at chasing down the ball, they are both box to box type midfielders IMO.

Mctominay and Fred behind Pogba in a midfield 3 would make us more solid defensively and get our most creative player in Pogba further up the pitch to improve our attack.

I don't see a better system for us at the moment and I hope Ole gives this a try once all 3 are fit.

So basically the same system we’re playing now only with Pogba in the no.10 position, that’s more of a 4-2-3-1 isn’t it?
The problem with Pogba playing further forward is his lack of agility to play in such a role consistently well, and our lack of other midfielders with the passing quality to consistently ping quality long balls from deep when we counter attack.

It seems like what Ole has in mind is a double pivot system with Pogba playing deep, we also don’t have enough midfielders to play with 3 week in week out.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

I'd rather we stick with a 10 if gomes really is the talent we think he is

 

[11101]

It fits our players the best and has done for a while. Ole seems to be dead against playing it though and it will be his downfall.

 

[bosnian_red]

The only players that can give us a proper balance throughout our team (and the most quality throughout tbh). Just needs Fred to play like he is capable of and it can give us an excellent side. I dont mind a 4231, people focus too much on formations rather than the actual individual instructions. Also gives us a straightforward backup side too.

Martial
Rashford Pogba James
Fred McTominay
Shaw Maguire Lindelof AWB
De Gea

Greenwood
Chong Gomes Lingard
Garner Matic
Young Jones Bailly Dalot
Romero
​

Pereira/Mata as other options in that 3 behind striker in backup side.

 

[lysglimt]

It fits our players the best and has done for a while. Ole seems to be dead against playing it though and it will be his downfall.

if we are to believe people in here - everything will be his downfall.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Pogba clearly isn't a midfielder who should be playing deep, he is best in an advanced / attacking midfield position and to play him there we either need a quality defensive midfielder (which we don't have) or we play two midfielders behind him. In Mctominay and Fred we have the two ideal candidates for that. Neither are defensive midfielders but both can tackle and are good at chasing down the ball, they are both box to box type midfielders IMO.

Mctominay and Fred behind Pogba in a midfield 3 would make us more solid defensively and get our most creative player in Pogba further up the pitch to improve our attack.

I don't see a better system for us at the moment and I hope Ole gives this a try once all 3 are fit.

I think it has to be a diamond. Pogba at the tip, Matic at the base, with Scott and Fred as box to box on either side, helping out both Pogba and Matic. Martial and Rashford/James as strikers.

On defence, morph into a 4-3-3 with Pogba playing false 9 and Martial and Rashford/James covering the wide areas.

IMO one of the few formations that fits our best players into favourable positions without shoehorning anyone, while making use of their best qualities to help the team.

The only questionable inclusion would be Matic, but he has unique qualities in our team and with Scott and Fred's help, wouldn't be overrun.

 

[BringNaniBack]

I think it has to be a diamond. Pogba at the tip, Matic at the base, with Scott and Fred as box to box on either side, helping out both Pogba and Matic. Martial and Rashford/James as strikers.

On defence, morph into a 4-3-3 with Pogba playing false 9 and Martial and Rashford/James covering the wide areas.

IMO the only formation that fits our best players into favourable positions without shoehorning anyone, while making use of their best qualities to help the team.

The only questionable inclusion would be Matic, but he has unique qualities in our team and with Scott and Fred's help, wouldn't be overrun.

I wouldn't mind us trying a diamond, although it means one less attacking player and we are already struggling to break teams down.

 

[Irwin99]

I think both Pogba and Mctominay (who played well today) would benefit in a midfield 3. I guess that opens another debate on who plays at RW though

Our attacking play and chance creation in the system we've used has been pretty frustrating so far this season.

 

[He'sRaldo]

I wouldn't mind us trying a diamond, although it means one less attacking player and we are already struggling to break teams down.

Pogba will be an extra attacker. Remember his runs into the box, and the headers he scored last season? We're definitely missing more of that.

If the wingbacks push up along with one of either Scott or Fred, we definitely won't be lacking numbers upfront. In that case, how attacking we would be would depend on intent rather than lack of numbers.

 

[RedCurry]

Pogba isn’t really great at attacking midfield position when the opposition sits back. He lacks the tidiness of Silva or Iniesta. But he can be very good in that attacking midfield role against teams that are more open.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Pogba isn’t really great at attacking midfield position when the opposition sits back. He lacks the tidiness of Silva or Iniesta. But he can be very good in that attacking midfield role against teams that are more open.

Difference between him and the two of them is we can send crosses to his head and he can power them in. A completely different way of opening up the game.

We haven't taken advantage of that much, given his attacking headers are quite good.

 

[Shiva87]

The current systems works just fine to be fair. Pogba and Mctominnay in a 2 have been controlling games, and it maximises Pogba's strengths in the transition and counter attack (running with ball, long passes, switches of play etc.)

Once our defence gets a few clean sheets + confidence, Pogba should be able to push himself further forward from this position and find himself in the box. Moving him to a no. 10 takes away these qualities altogether from the squad.

Also, with our pacey forward line, the no. 10 role should be played by someone like a peak Mata. We will concede a few more goals with Pogba playing his current position, but will score a lot more. It's a gamble worth taking.

Also, looks like Pogba could leave at the end of the season. Doesn't make sense to build a long term attacking line which relies on him. (That's what will happen if he does move up the pitch).

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

Difference between him and the two of them is we can send crosses to his head and he can power them in. A completely different way of opening up the game.

We haven't taken advantage of that much, given his attacking headers are quite good.

Liar!

 

[Beans]

I'd like to see 433 and try to win a high scoring game:

McTominay
Pereira Pogba
Rashford Martial James​

 

[AneRu]

So basically the same system we’re playing now only with Pogba in the no.10 position, that’s more of a 4-2-3-1 isn’t it?
The problem with Pogba playing further forward is his lack of agility to play in such a role consistently well, and our lack of other midfielders with the passing quality to consistently ping quality long balls from deep when we counter attack.

It seems like what Ole has in mind is a double pivot system with Pogba playing deep, we also don’t have enough midfielders to play with 3 week in week out.

Yeah Pogba can easily get marked out of the game in advanced roles, I think it's more to do with our lacking a deeplying playmaker who can run the game from midfield. But Pogba is good for one or two game changing moments of brilliance sonwe can utilize that up the pitch.

 

[noodlehair]

Three with Pogba ahead of Fred and Mctominay is probably the best we can do. Pogba will drop back anyway if he needs to in order to get on the ball. Plus you have three players all doing different jobs and who all actually do something.

Pogba played his best football in a similar role last season. We can still use a no10 there when we need to but at the moment it just makes us look short of numbers in both midfield and attack. Mata was fine today but you have Pereira now shoehorned on the right.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

I like myself a 4231, but we haven't got a decent 10, so it's quite pointless. A three man midfield, with Pogba slightly further up would make sense.

 

[Lentwood]

Whatever we do we can’t play Pogba in a midfield two. It just doesn’t work and hasn’t done ever, for any of our managers.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence we looked far more solid without him yesterday

 

[Bestietom]

I think no matter what system Ole plays he needs to get the forwards putting away the chances that are created. We score some great goals from distance but we just don't have that player to put away the tap ins. That fox in the box that is always in the right place at the right time, playing off the shoulder of the last defender.
We need reinforcements in midfield, but we also need a Prolific CF, before we even think of a RW.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Pogba clearly isn't a midfielder who should be playing deep, he is best in an advanced / attacking midfield position and to play him there we either need a quality defensive midfielder (which we don't have) or we play two midfielders behind him. In Mctominay and Fred we have the two ideal candidates for that. Neither are defensive midfielders but both can tackle and are good at chasing down the ball, they are both box to box type midfielders IMO.

Mctominay and Fred behind Pogba in a midfield 3 would make us more solid defensively and get our most creative player in Pogba further up the pitch to improve our attack.

I don't see a better system for us at the moment and I hope Ole gives this a try once all 3 are fit.

That makes the most sense.

But we’ll find room for Mata and Lingard, so naturally Pogba will be dropped deeper

 

[buckooo1978]

this makes sense with Mata/Gomes deputising for Pogba

Fred added a lot of pace, intensity and work rate to our midfield yesterday- McTominay had a very good game

it's in attacking situations when we are at our weakest so that's where a front 4 of James, Rashford and Martial being fed by Pogba would be most effective

 

[devilish]

I wouldn't mind us trying a diamond, although it means one less attacking player and we are already struggling to break teams down.

A diamond system would limit James whose our second best player after penalty

 

[izec]

I like myself a 4231, but we haven't got a decent 10, so it's quite pointless. A three man midfield, with Pogba slightly further up would make sense.

We got one, just needs play time and trust.

 

[Bestietom]

How many midfielders do we have besides Pogba, Fred, and McTominay.
Pereira, Mata, Lingard, and Matic could go now. We are the weakest in midfield of the top 10. imo.

 

[acnumber9]

When you don’t have very many good midfielders I’m not sure the answer to your problems is to play more of them.

 

[BringNaniBack]

I think both Pogba and Mctominay (who played well today) would benefit in a midfield 3. I guess that opens another debate on who plays at RW though

Our attacking play and chance creation in the system we've used has been pretty frustrating so far this season.

Rashord would have to play RW. At least he can use his pace there and it keeps him away from the centre of the park where he makes awful decisions and breaks down our attacks.

 

[BringNaniBack]

When you don’t have very many good midfielders I’m not sure the answer to your problems is to play more of them.

Pogba, Fred and Mctominay are all good enough and would compliment each other in a 3.

 

[cyril C]

I'd rather we stick with a 10 if gomes really is the talent we think he is

Meanwhile we stick with Lingard and Mata?

 

[Marcelinho87]

Meanwhile we stick with Lingard and Mata?

Think it is an insult to Mata that you stick him with Lingard.

When Mata plays number 10 things tick nicely around him and people play off him well just unfortunately for him he spent most of his time at RW here.

 

[RuudTom83]

It relies on Fred, and he hasn’t convinced any manager he is ready for the tasks week in week out.

So until he does prove himself, or Ole buys a midfielder then the formation will chop and change.

 

[acnumber9]

Pogba, Fred and Mctominay are all good enough and would compliment each other in a 3.

Matter of opinion really. I’m not convinced they are. Fred has shown nothing to suggest he’s good enough.

 

[Cassidy]

Think it is an insult to Mata that you stick him with Lingard.

When Mata plays number 10 things tick nicely around him and people play off him well just unfortunately for him he spent most of his time at RW here.

This isn't true, him and Lingard belong in the same boat

 

[cyril C]

Think it is an insult to Mata that you stick him with Lingard.

When Mata plays number 10 things tick nicely around him and people play off him well just unfortunately for him he spent most of his time at RW here.

I believe Ole plays Mata as #10 this season, so no excuse on poor performance. Mata is simply too slow, not just about running but in every movement as well. may be OK after 90min when everyone is tired.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Meanwhile we stick with Lingard and Mata?

For the season yes, then we can play gomes in his position and if it doesn't work out we can keep trying to sign a 10 like we did with dybala and eriksen

 

[Beachryan]

There are things that Pogba offers further forwards, but he definitely isn't a 'perfect' 10. He'd provide some threat of goals from outside the box (which we're awful at) and as others noted, he can attack crosses behind the strikers. But, he doesn't really have the quick, tippy-tappy style of most 10s, he doesn't have great acceleration and he's pretty inconsistent.

I also think people underestimate his presence in the centre of midfield. He's our best player at spreading play, releasing runners and covers passing lanes reasonably well.

It's a real pity that Dybala wasn't interested, think we'd look entirely different with him coming in off the right, as he'd require at least 2 players to stop him, freeing up space in the middle for Pogba to surge. Teams at present can basically ignore the right-hand side of our attack, unfortunately.

 

[Hammondo]

There are things that Pogba offers further forwards, but he definitely isn't a 'perfect' 10. He'd provide some threat of goals from outside the box (which we're awful at) and as others noted, he can attack crosses behind the strikers. But, he doesn't really have the quick, tippy-tappy style of most 10s, he doesn't have great acceleration and he's pretty inconsistent.

I also think people underestimate his presence in the centre of midfield. He's our best player at spreading play, releasing runners and covers passing lanes reasonably well.

It's a real pity that Dybala wasn't interested, think we'd look entirely different with him coming in off the right, as he'd require at least 2 players to stop him, freeing up space in the middle for Pogba to surge. Teams at present can basically ignore the right-hand side of our attack, unfortunately.

There are also part of the cm roles that pogba does poorly, he doesn't fit well in any of our positions.