Since the disaster of the season is over and Amorim is staying, I thought we might as well have some fun with seeing how folks on CAF would fit players into Amorim's 3-4-3 using the players that have ever played for SAF. For me it would be interesting in particular to see how people would place SAF's wingers like Giggs, Becks, Ronaldo etc. into a team that utilises wingbacks rather than traditional wingers.
Please refrain from putting Ronaldo in the CF position - whilst he subsequently became the world best in that position at Real he has never played in that position for SAF.
My Selection
GK - Schmeichel. Close call between him and VdS, but Schmikes edges it in terms of his ability to command the box, scream at defenders who slack off, claim crosses, and his missile-guided long throws.
LCB - Paul McGrath. I honestly think he would have been EPL and Ireland's Baresi had he never come into contact with alcohol. Graceful and cultured on the ball, decisive and aggressive in tackles, dominant in the air, can pick a pass.
CCB - Jaap Stam. It was hard to decide between him and Rio for the CB spot. Ultimately Stam edges it as for being the colossal presence he brings to the box, his game-reading and his ability to always pick the right position to stop opposition attacks.
RCB - Rio Ferdinand. Has more. athleticism than Jaap Stam and would be a great complement to him in RCB.
LWB - Dennis Irwin. I love Patrice Evra, and I will be happy with either at LWB, I just think Irwin is the more complete player.
RWB - Antonio Valencia. Becks have a great engine, and would absolutely make much better modern wingback than a pretender like TAA, but Antonio for me wins for his raw power, athleticism, and pace, something which Beckham lacks.
CM1 - Roy Keane - always gives his all, intimidates the shit out of oppositions, and a great passer of ball which elevates him to another plane over other MF hard men like Vinny Jones or Joey Barton. Roy Keane in his prime was an absolute beast and one of the world best in the position.
CM2 - Bryan Robson. Captain Marvel, the ultimate box-to-box midfielder; great engine, tackles, passing, shoot, dribbling, technique, he's got it all.
LCF - Giggs. I was thinking Van Persie but ultimately my sentimentality wins.
CF - Rooney - It was either him or RvN, in the end it was choosing someone who is the ultimate fox-in-box, or someone has a more rounded skillset and I think Rooney would thrive more than RvN in Amorim's 3-4-3.
RCF - Ronaldo - Don't need to say too much for this one. I don't think other options even came close.
Other close calls:
Cantona - My all time favourite Man Utd player, but I don't see a place for him in a 3-4-3 system.
Scholes - Legendary ability to pick a pass, sneak into box or hit it long but it was either him or Robson. Scholes' tackling just make him a slightly less desirable option in my opinion.
Vidic
Henrik Larsson
Carrick
Please refrain from putting Ronaldo in the CF position - whilst he subsequently became the world best in that position at Real he has never played in that position for SAF.
My Selection
GK - Schmeichel. Close call between him and VdS, but Schmikes edges it in terms of his ability to command the box, scream at defenders who slack off, claim crosses, and his missile-guided long throws.
LCB - Paul McGrath. I honestly think he would have been EPL and Ireland's Baresi had he never come into contact with alcohol. Graceful and cultured on the ball, decisive and aggressive in tackles, dominant in the air, can pick a pass.
CCB - Jaap Stam. It was hard to decide between him and Rio for the CB spot. Ultimately Stam edges it as for being the colossal presence he brings to the box, his game-reading and his ability to always pick the right position to stop opposition attacks.
RCB - Rio Ferdinand. Has more. athleticism than Jaap Stam and would be a great complement to him in RCB.
LWB - Dennis Irwin. I love Patrice Evra, and I will be happy with either at LWB, I just think Irwin is the more complete player.
RWB - Antonio Valencia. Becks have a great engine, and would absolutely make much better modern wingback than a pretender like TAA, but Antonio for me wins for his raw power, athleticism, and pace, something which Beckham lacks.
CM1 - Roy Keane - always gives his all, intimidates the shit out of oppositions, and a great passer of ball which elevates him to another plane over other MF hard men like Vinny Jones or Joey Barton. Roy Keane in his prime was an absolute beast and one of the world best in the position.
CM2 - Bryan Robson. Captain Marvel, the ultimate box-to-box midfielder; great engine, tackles, passing, shoot, dribbling, technique, he's got it all.
LCF - Giggs. I was thinking Van Persie but ultimately my sentimentality wins.
CF - Rooney - It was either him or RvN, in the end it was choosing someone who is the ultimate fox-in-box, or someone has a more rounded skillset and I think Rooney would thrive more than RvN in Amorim's 3-4-3.
RCF - Ronaldo - Don't need to say too much for this one. I don't think other options even came close.
Other close calls:
Cantona - My all time favourite Man Utd player, but I don't see a place for him in a 3-4-3 system.
Scholes - Legendary ability to pick a pass, sneak into box or hit it long but it was either him or Robson. Scholes' tackling just make him a slightly less desirable option in my opinion.
Vidic
Henrik Larsson
Carrick