Name your best starting 11 including the new signings

[FriedClams]

De Gea

Dalot
Varane
Martinez
Malacia

Fred
Eriksen
Bruno

Rashford
Ronaldo
Sancho

 

[Borys]

People who put Fred in an anchor role, or the base of a midfield diamond, are suicidal. Fred has abilities, but receiving the ball from the defense, relieving pressure, and springing a counter are not in his locker. It shows how thin the squad still is, but I'd expect McT to start in that holding role before Fred would. Fred has to be used further up the pitch, and that's where more competition for places is, so Fred's going to miss out.

This madness needs to stop. Fred and McTominay can work together because they share both defensive and offensive duties, neither of them can do it on their own especially in defensive / holding / connector or whatever we call it role. I think we have seen enough evidence in the past, and yet this thread is 4 pages of Fred in this anchor role.
Ten Hag is not going to magically increase Fred strength so that half of the strikers will not bully him. This can not be done, and frankly speaking it would be a waste because Fred has his other strengths.

Whatever we expect from player in anchor role, neither of Fred and McTominay will provide it. Just play them as two b2b players (as it gets most of them combined) or get someone who can take this deeper role and play Fred or Scott as b2b around him, which is how they should be used.

 

[NoPace]

This madness needs to stop. Fred and McTominay can work together because they share both defensive and offensive duties, neither of them can do it on their own especially in defensive / holding / connector or whatever we call it role. I think we have seen enough evidence in the past, and yet this thread is 4 pages of Fred in this anchor role.
Ten Hag is not going to magically increase Fred strength so that half of the strikers will not bully him. This can not be done, and frankly speaking it would be a waste because Fred has his other strengths.

Whatever we expect from player in anchor role, neither of Fred and McTominay will provide it. Just play them as two b2b players (as it gets most of them combined) or get someone who can take this deeper role and play Fred or Scott as b2b around him, which is how they should be used.

Best we've looked on the tour was with Fred in the anchor role though.

 

[Borys]

Best we've looked on the tour was with Fred in the anchor role though.

It worked alright, but I am quite sure it will not work in the EPL. We've tried it in the past, the reason it will not be effective with Fred is because anchor role requires either good mid to long passing, or dribbling skills. Otherwise it's very easy to neutralize this anchor man - opposition will simply let him have the ball, what is he going to do with it? Stand in front of the defence, roll and give the ball back to the defense. This is not what is required from a player in "connector" role.

Off the ball it requires good positioning and tackling. Fred possesses neither of those skills as well. In fact, neither of our players fits this role, therefore I predict this not to be effective at all (just like the evidence from the past suggests).

I get the idea, but we don't have the players for it. A few decent friendlies will not change my mind. I will change it if that works in in Brighton, Brentford, Southampton and Leicester (wouldn't bother with Liverpool). That should be good sample in serious games. I imagine ETH might give it a go in those 4 games since that seems to be the idea of Ten Hag-ball.

 

[fergiewherearethou]

I would go for:

De Gea

Dalot
Varane
Martinez
Shaw

Fred
Eriksen
Bruno

Rashford
Ronaldo
Sancho

 

[Zetrio2002]

4231
De gea.

Dalot
Varane
Martinez
Shaw

Fred
Mctom

Rashford
Bruno
Sancho

Ronaldo

 

[Swordsman]

4231
De gea.

Dalot
Varane
Martinez
Shaw

Fred
Mctom

Rashford
Bruno
Sancho

Ronaldo

McFred combination again. Good Luck.

 

[Bluelion7]

————————Mendy————————

———- Azpi. Silva. Koulibaliy. —

-James. — Kovacic Kante. —Cucu-

————- Mount. ———Sterling———
—————————Havertz——————

kovacic pairs better with Kante for me. It is more positive going forward, and one of the reasons I wouldn’t mind FDJ being linked here. In this setup Mount and Havertz take turns working back to the midfield pair as a link and hopefully crating labs in the process, Sterling working into those gaps as the primary forward.

That back 3 with Fofana …. Would be amazing.

 

[Red4Life_#7]

Do you mean the kind of professionalism that makes you spend the entire preseason at home while the rest of the team does a world tour, while also flirting with every big club in Europe? The only thing that is certain is that no matter how many goals he scores for us, we would score more and concede less without him. Having a nice 6-pack to show off on your insta does not make you a good professional. Let's see how professional he is when staying on the bench for 90 minutes.



Ronaldo can come in and pad his stats when we are 2 goals up against cannonfodder if he stays. Hopefully he doesn't.

How do you know this for certain? This is just BS I'm sorry and I don't mean to be rude.

Ronaldo's career has been full of professionalism, just look at all his achievements and records over the years. Our players don't share the same desire to win each match that is the problem.

The club are not matching his ambitions, flirting with other clubs is all part of the modern game. Honestly I don't blame him, he is a Champions League player not an Europa League player. He is also right at the end of his career.

Also we don't know what promises were made to him and all the info behind the scenes.

Look now, Martial is injured... why are people putting our hope in him. If Ronaldo leaves it makes ETH job 10x harder this season.

 

[MrSingh2002]

So happy to see Varane and Martinez as the most common CB pairing. Glad posters see this as the best possible.

Is there a thread on that? If so it should be an updated poll.

 

[Olecurls99]

So happy to see Varane and Martinez as the most common CB pairing. Glad posters see this as the best possible.

Is there a thread on that? If so it should be an updated poll.

Good point. If everyone is fit who do most people think is our best pairing.

 

[MrSingh2002]

4231

De Gea
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
Eriksen Casemiro
Sancho Fernandes Rashford
Ronaldo

Hopefully we add Antony and De Jong who would take Rashford and Fernandes out my starting lineup.

De Gea
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
De Jong Casemiro
Antony Eriksen Sancho
Ronaldo

 

[lysglimt]

Right now:

DDG - Dalot, Maguire, Varane, Shaw - Casemiro, Martinez - Sancho, Eriksen, Rashford - Martial

Yes - I dont think Bruno at present belongs in our strongest side - and I genuinely believe with Casemiro and Martinez as Dm we would be solid defensively.

 

[VivaObertan]

DDG
AWB Varane Martinez Malacia
Eriksen Casemiro Fred
Antony Bruno Sancho

Somewhere between 4-3-3 false 9 and 442 diamond except the right FB doesn't overlap so much

 

[bosnian_red]

De Gea
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
Eriksen Casemiro Fred
Sancho Martial Rashford
​

Need a goalkeeper and Antony in desperately.

I like our depth right now though in midfield, Bruno and Eriksen is good competition as should Fred and Donny be. Then in attack Antony rotating with the 2 wingers all being on the same level potentially if all in form. Malacia and Shaw if Shaw figures it out. Good CB cover. Just sell the deadwood between Bailly, jones, McTominay. I still think we need to sell Ronaldo and replace him, I don't think he's good for the dressing room but we'll see.

 

[Olecurls99]

De Gea
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
Eriksen Casemiro Fred
Sancho Martial Rashford
​

Need a goalkeeper and Antony in desperately.

I like our depth right now though in midfield, Bruno and Eriksen is good competition as should Fred and Donny be. Then in attack Antony rotating with the 2 wingers all being on the same level potentially if all in form. Malacia and Shaw if Shaw figures it out. Good CB cover. Just sell the deadwood between Bailly, jones, McTominay. I still think we need to sell Ronaldo and replace him, I don't think he's good for the dressing room but we'll see.

All of this

 

[Varane around town]

De Gea

Dalot
Varane
Maguire
Shaw

Casimero
Bruno
Eriksen

Sancho
Ronaldo
Martial

 

[Boondog]

Post-Liverpool

DDG
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
Fred Casemiro
Garnacho Ericksen Rashford
Ronaldo

If they don't get Antony I would rotate Sancho / Rashford / Garnacho game to game until I find my best two.


Southampton on (pipe dream)

DDG (Must have compromising photos of ETH)
Dest Varane Martinez Malacia
De Jong Casemiro
Antony Ericksen Rashford
Ronaldo

Yes I have a soft spot for Rashford, but his position could be Sancho if he finds his balls.​

 

[Jacob]

DDG
Dalot -------- Varane ----------- Martinez -------- Malacia
Casemiro
Fred ------------- Eriksen
Garnacho -------------------------------------------- Sancho
Ronaldo


Incl. some transfer targets:


Sommer
Dest ------------ Varane ---------- Martinez ----------- Malacia
Casemiro
Caicedo -------------- Eriksen
Antony ----------------------------------------------------- Sancho
Ronaldo


Doesn't sit right to only have one Brit in the XI.
​

 

[Ricardo de la Vega]

With all signings we might get
-------------------DDG------------------
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
Casemiro
Frenkie de Jong Eriksen
Anthony Ronaldo Sancho

More realistic

----------------DDG----------------
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
Casemiro Eriksen
Anthony Donny Sancho
Ronaldo

 

[NoPace]

At this point, it looks like we need a RB who can also handle playing in a 3 at the back so we can shove Malacia or Shaw into midfield. Like Tomiyasu. Unless we're gonna sign a quality RB, that's the best fit that might be gettable for 15-20M this late in the window.

 

[Kopral Jono]

As of today: De Gea; Shaw, Martinez, Varane, Wan Bissaka; Fred, Casemiro, Eriksen; Bruno, Ronaldo, Sancho. 4-3-3.

 

[Waynne]

------------------------------- Ronaldo --------------------------------

Rashford ---------------- Eriksen -------------------- Sancho

---------------- Martinez ------------ Casemiro ----------------

---- Malacia ------ Varane ------- Maguire ---- Dalot -----


Malacia is very effective playing higher up the pitch.
Martinez will give him license to move into those advanced positions.

Also its about time we have 2 bulldogs in CM. I'm tired of seeing teams walk through us in those central areas.

 

[Beans]

For now consider Malacia, Eriksen, Martinez and Casemiro the new signings. As we sign more you can add them into your lineups.

My go....

4231

De Gea
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
Eriksen Fred
Sancho Fernandes Rashford
Ronaldo

No Casemiro?!?

 

[MrSingh2002]

No Casemiro?!?

Yeh that was a mistake. Think I was thinking for the Liverpool game.

 

[Woziak]

At this point, it looks like we need a RB who can also handle playing in a 3 at the back so we can shove Malacia or Shaw into midfield. Like Tomiyasu. Unless we're gonna sign a quality RB, that's the best fit that might be gettable for 15-20M this late in the window.

Lindelof can play that way

 

[Woziak]

No Casemiro?!?

More importantly you want a 5’8/9 CB with a 5’5/6 Left back in the PL

 

[NoPace]

Lindelof can play that way

Not sure he’s mobile enough but yeah best candidate in the squad at the moment. Should be McTominay as he plays there for Scotland and is big and mobile but he just isn’t good enough positionally or on the ball.

This would never happen in a million years obviously but something like Joe Gomez and 45M for Bruno Fernandez or Gomez for VDB and 10M would improve both teams if we then threw that money towards a winger.

Mingueza went to Celta for 3m euros. He’s likely not quick or strong enough but he can pass the ball and plays CB and RB and a hybrid seems like his best possible role. I’d have tempted to roll the dice on him for that price. Could have been our version of the cheap Veltman deal Brighton did so well on.

It’s too bad Fosu-Mensah didn’t develop. He seemed to have the attributes to be this kind of player.

France seem to produce quick center backs who can play the role, like Fofana, Pavard and Saliba.

Kalulu looks like one we missed out on. Makes 600k a year and won Serie A as a lighting quick, 5’10 CB despite being a RB as a youth. Another short guy so probably not the best fit opposite Lisandro even with a big CB in the middle, but yeah.

 

[UpWithRivers]

------------------------------- Ronaldo --------------------------------

Eriksen ---------------- Bruno -------------------- Sancho

---------------- Fred ------------ Casemiro ----------------

---- Shaw ------ Martinez ------- Varane ---- Dalot -----

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Seeing Dalot as RB in these teams is so depressing.

A better RB would be huge for our team.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Martial
Rashford-Bruno-Sancho
Fred-Casemiro
Shaw-Martinez-Varane-Dalot
DDG

If De Jong and Anthony are signed, they slot in for Fred and Rashford and then Sancho moves to the left.

I still think Bruno will discover his goal-scoring form at some point, and I worry about Eriksen being somewhat limited physically.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Seeing Dalot as RB in these teams is so depressing.

A better RB would be huge for our team.

Was about to say the same thing

When you see these lineups, Dalot really sticks out

And I agree with your second sentence too. Need a RB surely. We could sign Antony, Oblak and De Jong but will still concede ridiculous goals if the RB isn't upgraded.

But I think it'll depend on getting a fee for Wan Bissaka.

 

[Grylte]

I'm just assuming the deals go through.

————————DDG
Dalot—Varane——Martinez—Shaw
——————Casemiro
———Eriksen————De Beek
Anthony————————Sancho
—————Gakpo/Martial

Some will prefer Fred over VdB, but i think this gives better balance and Eriksen and VdB are much better in possession than Fred.
RB and GK (Sorry David) are the weak spots, but to me this team looks very good for pressing, work rate and passing.

Could also go with diamond in the midfield:

———Casemiro
—Eriksen———VdB
————Bruno
Anthony——Sancho

 

[BurgerVan]

I am here in peace and I am certainly not being disrespectful, but you have literally regressed since the day Ronaldo turned up.

People say "but, but they would have finished 12th without his goals last season..." no bro, they would not have played with 10 men, and they finished 2nd the season before he arrived, ahead of Liverpool and Chelsea.

A harmonious dressing room and team spirit is just huge. From the outside, it looks fractured. I would bet that things will improve for you the moment he leaves. Personally, I wouldn't have him in your best 11.

 

[Woziak]

Martial
Rashford-Bruno-Sancho
Fred-Casemiro
Shaw-Martinez-Varane-Dalot
DDG

If De Jong and Anthony are signed, they slot in for Fred and Rashford and then Sancho moves to the left.

I still think Bruno will discover his goal-scoring form at some point, and I worry about Eriksen being somewhat limited physically.

I have a feeling Antony starts right, Rashford left with Martial as no
9 and Sancho playing as a 10 sometimes ETH wants a fast mobile interchangeable front 4.

 

[Woziak]

One thing I really liked from the Liverpool game, use of substitutes and ETH explaining we will have 50-60 games and therefore we need 24/25 players and two teams which are close in ability to each other ;
First 11 - D De Gea, Dalot, Varanne, Martinez, L Shaw, Casemiro, Ericsen, Bruno, Antony, Martial, Rashford

Second 11 - K Trapp, AWB, H Maguire, V Lindelof, T Malacia, S Mctominay, Fred, DVB, Sancho, Ronaldo, Garnaucho/Ellanga

personally I thinly Antony and K Trapp will happen, but we still need 3 more we need a striker, (Gatpo), BTB MF(SMS) and a right back( S Dest)

The 9 sub rule named with 5 subs being used will be crucial this season we need to use our wealth to ensure we start scaring teams again.

 

[Red Shorts]

GK

DDG

Defence

Dalot
Varane
Martinez
Malacia

Midfield

Casemiro
Fred

Forwards

Sancho
Eriksen
Rashford
Martial

If we get Antony, then Sancho on the left

 

[Tigersam]

I'd go with:

GK

Ronaldo

Defence

Varane
Martinez
Malacia


Midfield

Erikson
Casemiro
Gackpo
Bruno

Forwards

Depay
Rashford
Sancho

Rashford though the middle which is where Van Gaal wanted him to play, then Jose came in and messed it all up.

 

[NLunited]

We need more than eleven first team players to compete. The following players are nailed on starters for me:

DDG

Varane
Martinez
Lindelof
Maguire

Malacia
Dalot
Shaw

Casemiro
Fred
Eriksen
Bruno

Martial
Sancho
Rashford
Antony

subs: Ronaldo, McTominay, VDB, Bailly

close to first team starting quality: Elanga, Garnacho. I‘m not convinced yet by the other youngsters. It is clear there is lots of talent though.

I‘d say we are a first class midfielder, striker and rb short and need a ball playing gk.

Best line-up for me:

DDG
Dalot Varane Martinez Malacia
Casemiro Eriksen
Bruno
Antony Martial Sancho

 

[Red the Bear]

David
Dalot varane Martinez Malacia
Fred casemiro
Eriksen
Sancho martial* Bruno**​

* or Ronaldo depending on their form
** i wanted to somehow fit in Bruno especially seeing how lack luster rashy has been but I doubt it's going to work like that.

Assuming we'd get everyone we want.

David
New rb varane Martinez Malacia
Casemiro de jong
Eriksen(or bruno)
Antony martial(or ronaldo) sancho​

I say the second team would be capable of doing some serious damage and be heavy favorites for the europa and maybe win a domestic cup or two.

The first one needs a lot of work but I think it could get top4, it'd be tough however.