14 Sep 2026 12:56:35
I have our fullback pairing of Dalot and Shaw sat at either 14th or 15th from the 20 teams this year.
I have our centre back pairing of Maguire and Martinez a touch higher in 12th or 13th.
How have we managed to get to this point without seriously addressing the problem areas?
14 Sep 2026 17:55:55
de Ligt + Martinez is a top 5 or 6 pairing, but unfortunately we never have them. It's painful to see Maguire and Dalot lining up. I think Shaw is good enough. Others don't. But right back, to my mind, is our weakest position.
14 Sep 2026 19:06:22
de Ligt and Martinez are a top 5 or 6 pairing. Even if that were true, which I strongly disagree with, is that what we are supposed to be happy with nowadays? No doubt we will finish 5th or 6th, but blimey, how the mighty have fallen.
For the EPL, foremost you have to have pace & power; neither of those two possess both.
Then a brain and experience, and a good injury record; that’s all debatable.
I have no idea what Carrick is trying to do with what he is assembling. If we are a counter-attacking team, how on earth did we buy Tielemans and Santos and the slowest back line we already had? Even Cunha is slow, but that’s how we seem to approach every game.
14 Sep 2026 21:11:56
I'm repeating what I said a few weeks ago and got shot down...
When Baleba is fit, the best way for us to salvage this season is to revert to a 343 formation, of sorts.
Amad at RB.
2 CB, and my preference is Yoro and Heaven.
Dorgu at LB.
Baleba shielding them, and dropping into CB when we attack either flank. If Dorgu goes, York covers that space towards LB. Same for Heaven to RB, Baleba drops.
Play Mainoo and Bruno, or Mainoo and Tielemans.
Then have the front 3. For me, it is Mbeumo, Sesko, Rashford.
Cunha off the bench.
Lacey off the bench.
I would actually consider giving Lacey a start to give Mbeumo a kick up the behind, too.
Some will say that formation doesn't work. I will disagree.
What doesn't work is whatever Carrick is feeding this mob, and it has to change.
15 Sep 2026 02:31:31
So it's not a 343, you're suggesting a 253? I'm confused about what you are doing with Baleba.
15 Sep 2026 05:57:54
I would be seriously concerned with that back line, 2 cb, so young and inexperienced, always making mistakes, Dorgu, who can't defend to save his life, that makes Dalot the best and most experienced defender... Are you really convinced of that? Then we have to hope Baleba is Makaleley in the making and running on Duracells to cover what he would need to do.
Teams would walk through that midfield.
Be entertaining though, and Lammens would get good work out.
15 Sep 2026 08:43:21
It is 451 when defending and 343 when attacking. Baleba is in the DM role when defending and the CB role when attacking. It is pretty simple.
There is no mention of Dalot. Not sure where that comes from.