Post by Busby Boy on Jun 15, 2006 23:33:55 GMT
www.unitedrant.co.uk/
Having watched the opening games at the World Cup, with the news that a greater-than-£10m bid has been lodged for Carrick, and that Diarra remains in the mix, there is a major concern that SAF is on the verge of meddling with tactics and formations once again.
United's beloved 4-4-2 works if one of two options is employed. Firstly, using two box-to-box midfielders with the intelligence to attack or defend, complementing each other's movements. Conversely, playing one 'holding' and one 'attacking' player in central midfield.
The holding midfielder has become something of a white elephant in modern football in so much as those that fill the role are either 'water carriers' - not talented enough in the attacking third - or box-to-box players whose legs have deserted them . Think Keane and Vieira late in their respective careers. Last season United operated with either Smudger or O'Shea in a 'holding' role with either Giggs or the Ginja Ninja more advanced. Put simply, the Reds no longer have the personnel to select the more desirable box-to-box option as they did in the past with Keane, Robson and Ince, and it would seem that such individuals are not available on the market at the present time.
Carrick is neither a tough tackling 'holding' player in the mode of a Makelele, nor does he score enough goals to be considered an attacking force like Scholes. He is an excellent distributor with great vision and would therefore need an enforcer playing alongside him, like he enjoys with Davids at Spurs, in order to be effective. This has convinced many pundits that SAF will still try to sign Diarra as well and that he also plans to change the team's set up for next season.
With Carrick and Diarra - or Mascherano, here's hoping - playing alongside each other in front of a back four; and Saha (or Ruud, here's hoping, but more likely Smudger) leading the line, SAF would be free to select two genuine wingers plus El Blanco Pele in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This is similar to the system being employed by Argentina, France and Portugal amongst others at the World Cup. Barcelona plays in a similar vein, with self evident success, using Ronaldinho, Deco and Messi behind Eto'o. The key to the system is flexibility within the 'three', while the lone striker must be able to hold up the ball consistently well, and the fullbacks provide width, overlapping and supplement attacks. Underpining this strategy are the disciplined 'two' in central midfield. Pace, fluidity and mobility are paramount for this system to work.
SAF's recent transfer 'strategy', coupled with United's 'targets' would support this theory, especially if Carrick and Diarra join. There might even be a role for Evra in such a system as his pace and ball skills would displayed, as opposed to his lack of height. It's a stretch but if rumours are true forgive the artistic license in assuming some of the following acquisitions. Carrick for whom United has officially bid. Diarra, whom United are reportedly still interested in. Ribery who Marseille are still refusing to sell to Lyon and Torres who, according to strong rumours today has already agreed a contract with the club! Let's assume too that Fergie and Ruud's relationship has broken down forever. In that scenario United could well line up as follows at the start of next season, with squad alternatives in parenthesis:
If that were to be the case, many fans wouldn't be overly disappointed, despite reverting away from 4-4-2 once again. Yes, its fantasy football and may well not come to pass - it's more likely that the names Fletcher and Richardson would replace those of Diarra and Ribery but perhaps Fergie is actually working towards a strategy over the course of this summer?
I, for one, can think of many worse than this.
ARTICLE BY SIMON WEST
Having watched the opening games at the World Cup, with the news that a greater-than-£10m bid has been lodged for Carrick, and that Diarra remains in the mix, there is a major concern that SAF is on the verge of meddling with tactics and formations once again.
United's beloved 4-4-2 works if one of two options is employed. Firstly, using two box-to-box midfielders with the intelligence to attack or defend, complementing each other's movements. Conversely, playing one 'holding' and one 'attacking' player in central midfield.
The holding midfielder has become something of a white elephant in modern football in so much as those that fill the role are either 'water carriers' - not talented enough in the attacking third - or box-to-box players whose legs have deserted them . Think Keane and Vieira late in their respective careers. Last season United operated with either Smudger or O'Shea in a 'holding' role with either Giggs or the Ginja Ninja more advanced. Put simply, the Reds no longer have the personnel to select the more desirable box-to-box option as they did in the past with Keane, Robson and Ince, and it would seem that such individuals are not available on the market at the present time.
Carrick is neither a tough tackling 'holding' player in the mode of a Makelele, nor does he score enough goals to be considered an attacking force like Scholes. He is an excellent distributor with great vision and would therefore need an enforcer playing alongside him, like he enjoys with Davids at Spurs, in order to be effective. This has convinced many pundits that SAF will still try to sign Diarra as well and that he also plans to change the team's set up for next season.
With Carrick and Diarra - or Mascherano, here's hoping - playing alongside each other in front of a back four; and Saha (or Ruud, here's hoping, but more likely Smudger) leading the line, SAF would be free to select two genuine wingers plus El Blanco Pele in a 4-2-3-1 formation. This is similar to the system being employed by Argentina, France and Portugal amongst others at the World Cup. Barcelona plays in a similar vein, with self evident success, using Ronaldinho, Deco and Messi behind Eto'o. The key to the system is flexibility within the 'three', while the lone striker must be able to hold up the ball consistently well, and the fullbacks provide width, overlapping and supplement attacks. Underpining this strategy are the disciplined 'two' in central midfield. Pace, fluidity and mobility are paramount for this system to work.
SAF's recent transfer 'strategy', coupled with United's 'targets' would support this theory, especially if Carrick and Diarra join. There might even be a role for Evra in such a system as his pace and ball skills would displayed, as opposed to his lack of height. It's a stretch but if rumours are true forgive the artistic license in assuming some of the following acquisitions. Carrick for whom United has officially bid. Diarra, whom United are reportedly still interested in. Ribery who Marseille are still refusing to sell to Lyon and Torres who, according to strong rumours today has already agreed a contract with the club! Let's assume too that Fergie and Ruud's relationship has broken down forever. In that scenario United could well line up as follows at the start of next season, with squad alternatives in parenthesis:
If that were to be the case, many fans wouldn't be overly disappointed, despite reverting away from 4-4-2 once again. Yes, its fantasy football and may well not come to pass - it's more likely that the names Fletcher and Richardson would replace those of Diarra and Ribery but perhaps Fergie is actually working towards a strategy over the course of this summer?
I, for one, can think of many worse than this.
ARTICLE BY SIMON WEST