so this diamond formation then

suits the players we've got, doesn't it?

Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that the 'diamond' formation could figure more prominently for Manchester United this season, after the Reds brushed Newcastle aside on Sunday.

The boss opted for the fluid midfield system at the weekend, following encouraging outings in the Capital One Cup tie against the Magpies and Tuesday’s Champions League triumph over CFR Cluj. This time, Sir Alex fielded Michael Carrick at the base of the diamond with Wayne Rooney at the head, flanked by Tom Cleverley and Shinji Kagawa.

“I wanted to try the diamond again after some success against Cluj, which is not an easy place to go to, and against Newcastle in the Capital One Cup,” Sir Alex told MUTV. “It worked very well for us. Obviously there were moments in the second half when we felt we had to change.

“The diamond closes off the midfield. The only problem is when the ball goes out wide, how far your midfield gets separated. If you try to keep it tight in the centre of the field, then the opposition have to go wide.

“Okay, we took a gamble today because Newcastle are so big up front and they're good crossers of the ball. But the football we played from the central midfield positions through Cleverley, Kagawa, Rooney and Carrick was terrific.

“We played so well on Tuesday against a decent team. People look at the name Cluj and say they expect United to win, but they are a decent side. And because we played so well on Tuesday, I thought we should find out how far we can go with that diamond system.”

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe...formation.aspx



can easily see valencia on the right of the diamond and nani or young in the front three as options.

it's a front two not a front three.
.....mc
..sk....tc
.....wr.
...rvp.dw

Hence the term 'diamond'
I see no place whatsoever for ashley young.

valencia on the right of that diamond would be o.k, when he came on today he was told to hug the line as per.

Best we've played this season. Stick with it until we get battered.

Can be seen as a 442 or 433 It's just something nice to put on the Sky Sports graphics or in the paper innit. Been playing it on computer games for years personally. The players we've got attacking wise are mostly pretty comfortable switching and changing positions which should make for some good football. If Fletch can stay well it'll be interesting to see where he fits in, he will be useful against teams where we typically don't have as much possession, shouldnt be walked through as much anyway.

Originally Posted by red @rmy

Best we've played this season. Stick with it until we get battered.

Fast flowing attacking football at times, more of the same please

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KEMMfV5-Qg

Phelan out.

Originally Posted by Crumps

Can be seen as a 442 or 433 It's just something nice to put on the Sky Sports graphics or opinion the paper innit. Been playing it on computer games for years personally. The players we've got attacking wise are mostly pretty comfortable switching and changing positions which should make for some good football. If Fletch can stay well it'll be interesting to see where he fits in, he will be useful against teams where we typically don't have as much possession, shouldnt be walked through as much anyway.

it's more than that, it's a definite change and a deliberate one. cleverley mentioned it being used for three games as well

Cleverley felt the diamond formation worked well again and is hopeful he can continue to find the net after getting off the mark for the Reds this season.

"We played it [the new formation] against Newcastle in the Cup and Cluj and have won all three games," he explained. "It's a good system and something else we can use against teams. We've got plenty of plan Bs and plan Cs.

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Fe....aspx?pageNo=2


think it worked well, should keep with it

it worked very well for about 15 minutes.

potential is there though if we had the right players

not sure rooney hoofing the ball into the air or into the stands effectively as part of a two man screen in front of the back four (with the excellent Carrick) is ideal myself

Originally Posted by Crumps

Can be seen as a 442 or 433 It's just something nice to put on the Sky Sports graphics or in the paper innit. Been playing it on computer games for years personally. The players we've got attacking wise are mostly pretty comfortable switching and changing positions which should make for some good football. If Fletch can stay well it'll be interesting to see where he fits in, he will be useful against teams where we typically don't have as much possession, shouldnt be walked through as much anyway.

I think Fletch would slot into where Kagawa was playing, Kagawa at the top of the diamond, Rooney up top with RVP

Thought Welbeck was poor today, his misses aside felt he had very little impact.

Back 5

Carrick
Fletcher Cleverley

Kagawa
Rooney Van Persie

Michael Cox will have a raging semi.

Originally Posted by Kent Brockman

Michael Cox will have a raging semi.

Just need a false no.9 now.

Not really got much option whilst we don't have a winger worth a £#%&!

Originally Posted by dunk

Not really got much option whilst we don't have a winger worth a £#%&!

Not sure about that, Young is pretty £#%&! imo.

Originally Posted by MUFC_91

Not sure about that, Young is pretty £#%&! imo.

A £#%&! is overpricing Young tbf.

Originally Posted by MUFC_91

Just need a false no.9 now.

rob palmer mentioned a false no9 during his commentary of the barca v real game. i bet coxy was bulging.

foxy coxy

Originally Posted by borsuk

foxy coxy

#zonal£#%&!er