Utd Draft - SF: Enigma vs Himannv

With players at their career (not Utd) peak, who would win?


  • Total voters
    11
  • Poll closed .

Physiocrat

Has No Mates
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
8,978
Enigma



Himannv




Enigma Tactics

Formation: 4-4-2

Style: direct, balanced Fergie 90's style

Defence:
On goal we have Victor Valdes. He's someone who is very good with ball in his feed and his ability to launch a counter is the reason we picked him for this draft. In terms of accolades he might not be the most complete keeper but he was solid enough to win 6 La Liga titles and 3 CL playing for one of the greatest teams in history. Ahead of him we have Tony Dunne - United great and safely to say one of the finest defenders we ever had. Viv Anderson - another excellent and dependable English defender. For this draft we're counting on his Forest peak when he was a menace on the right and can work with Beckham putting a surging runs whilst also having the lungs to man his flank. At the heart of the defence we have Paul McGrath who needs little introduction bossing the defence. Our upgrade in the CB position is Ronny Johnsen who was one of our key contributors for the treble winning side.

Midfield:
At the heart of midfield we have the German maestro at his peak Bayern/Germany days - Bastian Schweinsteiger. He will dictate the game and act as a two way box to box midfielder, having Casemiro cover for him in the defensive phase. Casemiro himself is the Real version who shields the back four and has a spectacular trophy cabinet to boot. The biggest upgrades are on the flanks. A very familiar duo - David Beckham and Ryan Giggs are on the right and left. They play their natural roles in the late 90's when they were at the height of their powers.

Attack:
Cristiano Ronaldo
comes in to form a scary attacking line alongside Diego Forlan who found his form in La Liga after moving from his unsuccessful United stint leading the attack. Forlan will work with Cristiano, who will be in a free role. Diego style of play is something Cristiano would like as he compliments him well and will allow him to roam forward whilst also opening space for attacking the box.

Player peaks:

Victor Valdes - (2009 -2012) - won 4 Zamora trophies and 2 times elected La Liga best keeper.
Viv Anderson - (1977 - 1982) - pillar for a great Forest team that enjoyed European and domestic success.
Tony Dunne - (1965 - 1968) - United dependable left back who needs little introduction but the most famous one - winning the CL after rupturing his achilles in the QF.
Paul McGrath - (90 - 94) - marred with injuries at United his class was evident when fit. His best years probably came at Villa and in the 94 WC where he put up a colossal performance

Ronny Johnsen - (1993 - 1997) - key figure in our treble winning run. Tall, very good in the air good counter for the opposition aerial threat
Ryan Giggs (1998-02) - one of the greatest and fastest wingers the PL ever saw.

David Beckham (1998-02) - A wide playmaker, the benchmark when it comes to crossing and finding a teammate in the box.

Bastian Schweinsteiger - (2010 -2014) - he needs little introduction but at his peak at Bayern he was one of the very elite when it comes to all action midfielders.

Casemiro - ( 2017-2022 ) - anchor and glue for one of the best Real teams in history.
Cristiano Ronaldo - (2013-2018) - Cristiano peak at Real Madrid, when he turned out to be one of the greatest goalscorers the game ever seeon.
Diego Forlan - ( 2007-2010 ) - I'll nick a description from @Physiocrat but the truth is after a negative stint at United he flourished for the NT and in La Liga, turning out to be one of the best strikers on his day:

Let’s not also forget that Diego Forlan was a complete and deadly striker. Joint-top scorer in the 2010 World Cup with 5 goals including a goal in both the quarters and semis, in addition to being named player of the tournament. Pichichi winner in 04-05 and 08-09. At his three year consecutive peak at Atletico Madrid between 07-10 he scored 66 goals in 102 league games. He was also one of the most two footed players I have ever seen. If you have time watch this video – it also showcases some of his aerial ability.

Advantages:
- Fantastic wing combos - Anderson and Becks on the right are handful for anyone really. A natural fit, Becks has an easy target in the box in Forlan and especially Cristiano. On the other flank Giggs will give Rafael a headache, whilst we also have Cristiano working that channel and peeling wide.
- Attacking unit and creativity. Whilst obviously the opposition also boasts with their own set of creative players, our variety both through the middle and on the flanks will produce a more chances for our forwards to score. There is IMO a bit more variety and tougher to predict where the danger would come.

Himannv Tactics

Formation: 4-2-3-1/4-3-3

Tactic: Counters, quick transitions, high line, pressing

The Role of Players in High Pressing:

In the context of high pressing, the significance of each player’s role is paramount to the overall success of the tactic. Forward players and offensive midfielders occupy the forefront of the pressing strategy, spearheading the charge by exerting unrelenting pressure on the opposing defenders. Their primary aim is to delay the defenders from comfortably constructing attacks from the defensive line. They swiftly close down the defenders, compelling them to make hurried decisions or resort to long passes that are susceptible to interception.

The midfielders additionally assume a crucial part in intense pressing. They apply pressure on adversaries in the central regions of the field, disrupting their passing lanes and constraining their choices. By competently pressing the midfielders, the team can thwart the opposition from establishing dominance and dictating the rhythm of the game. The midfielders must uphold a high level of industriousness and exhibit excellent positioning to intercept passing alternatives and compel turnovers.

Full-backs and wingers contribute to high pressing by restricting the opposition’s options on the flanks. They apply pressure on the opposing wide players, limiting their space and time on the ball. This not only prevents dangerous crosses into the box but also forces the opposition to play the ball back towards the center where the pressing intensity is at its highest. The full-backs and wingers must maintain discipline in their positioning to ensure that the opposition is constantly under pressure.

Lastly, the defenders have a critical role in high pressing. While the attackers and midfielders are aggressively pressing, the defenders provide cover and maintain the defensive structure. They position themselves strategically to deny the opponent any gaps or spaces to exploit. By staying organized and communicating effectively, the defenders ensure that the pressing doesn’t leave the team vulnerable to counter-attacks. Their presence and coordination are essential in maintaining a compact defensive unit.

More Willie Morgan:


Most people would agree that Sir Matt Busby knew a thing or two about football. So when he needed a player to further improve the side that had just won the 1968 European Cup, he set his sights on someone special. That player was Willie Morgan. Sir Matt broke the British transfer record to bring Morgan to Old Trafford, moving George Best over to the left wing to accommodate Willie on the right wing and giving him the mythical number 7 shirt previously worn by the inimitable Best.

An instant hit with the Old Trafford crowd, Morgan became a terrace idol in his own right. He was the first player in the world to have his own fan club and was twice voted player of the season in a team of bona fide living football legends, including Denis Law and Bobby Charlton.

Captain Marvel

I needed to reinvent my midfield to stand a chance against the juggernauts in the semi-finals and what better way to strengthen my team than to bring in a superhero. Captain Marvel comes into my side to do it all really - get on the ball, create chances, tackle, run all day, and even score the odd goal. A much needed addition in quality.


Larsson

Even when he's not scoring, he's changing the game with assists, off-the-ball workrate, playing off the ball to oncoming runners from midfield, and overall tenacity. This is him, not even at his absolute peak, making a big impact on the grandest stage of them all. The ultimate professional no. 9.


 

Physiocrat

Has No Mates
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
8,978
@Himannv Why did you go for a double pivot and Veron in an AMish role? It would have made more sense to me to put Butt as a pivot flanked by Robbo and Veron. This way Veron can help build up from deep and Robbo can get into the box more.
 

Edgar Allan Pillow

Ero-Sennin
Joined
Dec 7, 2010
Messages
41,443
Location
┴┬┴┤( ͡° ͜ʖ├┬┴┬
Cristiano - Forlan doesn't feel very complimentary. I'd rather have Forlan as the deeper player with Cristiano leading the line. Either way a bit of advanced playmaking seem to be missing.

Himannv team looks more cohesive. Leaning towards him for now.
 

Enigma_87

You know who
Joined
Aug 7, 2008
Messages
27,654
Cristiano - Forlan doesn't feel very complimentary. I'd rather have Forlan as the deeper player with Cristiano leading the line. Either way a bit of advanced playmaking seem to be missing.

Himannv team looks more cohesive. Leaning towards him for now.
How so? Forlan is the type of forward Cristiano would love to play with with his movement and ability to drop deep. Just like Benz did when he was at Madrid.

Also both Cristiano and Forlan are pretty creative in the attacking third. Cristiano had tons of assists under Ancelotti, along with buckets of goals.

I also disagree on the chemistry part. Pique and Ferdinand doesn’t feel optimal at all and Butt/ Robson double pivot would work a lot better with a pivot. On the other end Schweinsteiger / Case is pretty complimentary as Casemiro can hold and shield the back four whilst Bastian is in his natural B2B role where he can also control the tempo.

Giggs/ Beckham on the side gives you also a plenty of creativity.

This is Cristiano in a free role in Madrid, lacking creativity seems odd.
 

Šjor Bepo

Wout is love, Wout is life; all hail Wout!
Joined
Mar 29, 2011
Messages
15,668
voted enigma, he has more "problematic" players then hman but also is more suited as a team to counter hman strengths.

no idea who hman upgraded alongside robbo(evra?) but really should have went for carrick as well....that would win him the game IMO
 

Himannv

Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Messages
5,812
Location
Somewhere in the draft forum
@Himannv Why did you go for a double pivot and Veron in an AMish role? It would have made more sense to me to put Butt as a pivot flanked by Robbo and Veron. This way Veron can help build up from deep and Robbo can get into the box more.
They'd probably be in those positions when on the ball. The double pivot is more for the defensive phase.
 

Physiocrat

Has No Mates
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
8,978
They'd probably be in those positions when on the ball. The double pivot is more for the defensive phase.
Ah, that makes more sense, although I'd probably shift Veron nominally on the left in the defensive phase to have Rooney more advanced for the counters.