With the arrival of Sandro and Krancjar we really do have a multitude of riches in midfield and the distinct possibility that some good players will not find a slot (with Phillips and Hoilett most likely to give way IMO). How can we best line up to accommodate as many of these as possible? Green Isla Ferdinand Caulker Traore Sandro Barton Mutch Fer Krancjar Austin
All depends on what is going on behind the scenes. Would love to be a fly on the wall and see exactly what goes on in training. With a week and a half until the next game we could easily see this .... Isla Ferdinand Caulker Yun Barton Sandro Fer Hoillett Vargas Austin
Of course there is always SWP. If TF and Harry have any sense they will be in discussions with Granada Television about taking him on loan for "I'm a celebrity ... get me out of here."
I think that the defence is robust and solid. Thus the majority of the substituions could be: => defensive midfield to more or less offensive => in offensive midlfield and attack. One or two players will be out through injury or form, so that leaves several for the bench for rotation or substitution. But yes, we are spoilt for choice in midfield. We will probably play 4-2-3-1 which wil belp to optimise our relatively sparce choice of strikers and large midifield options. It will be interesting.
4-2-3-1 Isla/Ned -- Caulker --Rio-- Hill/Yun/Traore (with Dunne on Bench) Sandro/Barton (Henry on bench) Mutch/Fer/Hoillet (with Phillips/Adel on the bench) Vargas/Charlie (with Kranky/OBZ on Bench) Boy does that bring a smile to my face, when looking at it on paper EDIT...like it even better as 4-1-4-1 Isla/Ned -- Caulker --Rio-- Hill/Yun/Traore (with Dunne on Bench) Sandro (Henry on bench) Mutch/Barton/Fer/Hoillet (with Phillips/Adel on the bench) Vargas/Charlie (with Kranky/OBZ on Bench)
I like both as well. 4231 at home with the forward 3 midfielders pushing on in attack. 4141 away with the extra cover of Sandro in front of the back 4.
Will be interesting to see how often Harry plays 2 strikers. A policy of cautious preservation may come into play until the Jan window. It's not as if we don't have competent attacking midfielders.
Decent squad depth: Green Isla-Rio-Caulker-Yun Phillips-Barton-Sandro-Hoilett Austin-Vargas Zamora-Taarabt Niko-Fer-Mutch-SWP Traore-Hill-Dunne-Onuoha McCarthy
So Harry's team for Man U will be: Onuoha---Ferdinand---Dunne---Hill -Barton---Henry---Jenas---Hoillett- ---------------Phillips----------------- ---------------Zamora---------------- Bench: SWP - Vargas - Traore - Austin - Taarabt - Kranjcar - Murphy
That's pretty much as I see it with the exception that Charlie really needs some direct support. I can't see how we're going to play two up top with the burgeoning cast of midfielders so Krancjar is probably the best option to play in behind him. Vargas may need different options of course (assuming we ever see him play).
With our wealth of midfield riches do we go with the Barca approach? Hopefully with Vargas finally getting his paperwork sorted, he will slot into the squad and come out with guns blazing at Old Trafford. Perhaps Niko can bring Adel along to his next Weightwatchers "refer a friend" session? Edit: If you have the "No Swearing" option, I see the Twat part of Weightwatchers gets censored out - funny!
Could be perhaps have a GK? McCarthy should really now be slotting into the bench GK spot - from his signing interview he is obviously aiming to play matches.
