... based on merit and likely formation.
We have played four out of four halves in 4-2-3-1, and Solskjær said today he may change formation compared to when Herrera was playing (which was 4-3-3). Form and club changes will occur before the season start, but, assuming a 4-2-3-1 line up, who deserves the starting places as per now?
De Gea has neither played nor signed a contract yet, and his latest round of form was not his best, but still, Romero is not close to surpassing him even though he’s been steady as usual in preseason.
Wan-Bissaka has hit the ground lunging and is already a clear first choice. As is Shaw. The CB’s have hardky been tested so far, but if Lindelöf-Smalling was the preferred pairing last season, Bailly, Jones or Tuanzebe haven’t changed that picture.
Pogba/McTominay have been tried and done well in a new pivot so far. If Solskjær want’s Pogba that far back, I understand why, because Matic is to slow/old to cover for him, Pereira not good enough defensively, and Fred isn’t here yet. Based on Fred’s two/three best halves last season, I’m guessing him or McTominay is forst in line to start in a midfield with Pogba.
Rashford seems a clear number one up top, and has only reinforced his position with vigilant displays and two goals in 90 minutes. As no 10 we have seen Mata, Lingard and Gomes, no stand-out candidate there, and to be honest, Gomes to me showed the most in that position so far. Samchez will be a candidate later, but he isn’t nailed on to take it. I reckon Gomes has a fair shot at it, and is my preferred choice on current form.
Wings have seen James, Greenwood, Chong, Lingard and Sanchez. Lingard is the one amongste them that the others need to oust from last seasons line up, but it shouldn’t be impossible. Noone has been fantastic and no one dire, but after two games I rank them Greenwood, James, Chong, Sanchez, Lingard on performances in that position. In addition, I guess Martial will be a clear candidate for the lef position as it stands. If we played an important game today, I would therefore place Greenwood in the starting line up on the right side, giving:
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka Smalling Lindelöf Shaw
McTominay Pogba
Greenwood Gomes Martial
Rashford
Now, I don’t expect this to be the starting line up when the PL kicks of, but it’s interesting to see that the players doing well under the ‘new start’, all attacking players were at the club as U18 players, and four out of the back five were here as U21s. It’s also interesting that many of the most entertaining players at the club seem to do benefit of the regime. For a long while now, I’ve felt it was almost always the workhorses who performed and the tricksters who flattered to deceive. Is it a trend? Don’t know, but hope so!
We have played four out of four halves in 4-2-3-1, and Solskjær said today he may change formation compared to when Herrera was playing (which was 4-3-3). Form and club changes will occur before the season start, but, assuming a 4-2-3-1 line up, who deserves the starting places as per now?
De Gea has neither played nor signed a contract yet, and his latest round of form was not his best, but still, Romero is not close to surpassing him even though he’s been steady as usual in preseason.
Wan-Bissaka has hit the ground lunging and is already a clear first choice. As is Shaw. The CB’s have hardky been tested so far, but if Lindelöf-Smalling was the preferred pairing last season, Bailly, Jones or Tuanzebe haven’t changed that picture.
Pogba/McTominay have been tried and done well in a new pivot so far. If Solskjær want’s Pogba that far back, I understand why, because Matic is to slow/old to cover for him, Pereira not good enough defensively, and Fred isn’t here yet. Based on Fred’s two/three best halves last season, I’m guessing him or McTominay is forst in line to start in a midfield with Pogba.
Rashford seems a clear number one up top, and has only reinforced his position with vigilant displays and two goals in 90 minutes. As no 10 we have seen Mata, Lingard and Gomes, no stand-out candidate there, and to be honest, Gomes to me showed the most in that position so far. Samchez will be a candidate later, but he isn’t nailed on to take it. I reckon Gomes has a fair shot at it, and is my preferred choice on current form.
Wings have seen James, Greenwood, Chong, Lingard and Sanchez. Lingard is the one amongste them that the others need to oust from last seasons line up, but it shouldn’t be impossible. Noone has been fantastic and no one dire, but after two games I rank them Greenwood, James, Chong, Sanchez, Lingard on performances in that position. In addition, I guess Martial will be a clear candidate for the lef position as it stands. If we played an important game today, I would therefore place Greenwood in the starting line up on the right side, giving:
De Gea
Wan-Bissaka Smalling Lindelöf Shaw
McTominay Pogba
Greenwood Gomes Martial
Rashford
Now, I don’t expect this to be the starting line up when the PL kicks of, but it’s interesting to see that the players doing well under the ‘new start’, all attacking players were at the club as U18 players, and four out of the back five were here as U21s. It’s also interesting that many of the most entertaining players at the club seem to do benefit of the regime. For a long while now, I’ve felt it was almost always the workhorses who performed and the tricksters who flattered to deceive. Is it a trend? Don’t know, but hope so!