25 Apr 2024 18:27:03
Hi Ed002. I read your update on our current list of targets and watched players and have to thank you for such an in depth list. It was a brilliant read. I couldn’t help but notice though that a lot of the players on this list would best fit a 3 at the back with wing backs system. Do you have any information on that being the case? We only appear to be focussing on wing backs rather than your more traditional full backs. I think it would be a great tactical switch and would suit a lot of our current players if it was a 343.
{Ed002's Note - It will depend on ten Hag departing and a replacement.}
26 Apr 2024 02:33:35
Are united looking at coaches who will play 3 at the back?
{Ed002's Note - No, they are look at coaches - some may play different formations.}
26 Apr 2024 16:25:05
Thanks for the reply Ed. It would certainly seem like the players you have mentioned would fit a back 3 system, especially those who you have hinted to being the first choice in their position. We’ll have to see what happens and who takes over.
26 Apr 2024 19:27:30
Southgate loves a back 3 doesn't he. I pray to God Ineos have their homework done and steer well clear.
28 Apr 2024 12:04:08
I've actually thought for a little while that we might benefit from looking to move towards a back three type shape for several reasons.
Firstly, I think it's difficult to find the quality of players with the specific skills to suit either a double or single pivot in front of a back four. That Rodri type holding midfielder who can sit deep and shield the defence, but has the passing range on the ball to dictate play. The only one I can think of who might be good enough is Florentino Luis at Benfica. All the others are either lacking in the passing range, lack the mobility or physicality, lack the defensive nous, or don't have the intelligence to read the game to know when to step forward to win the ball and when to drop off and defend the space.
Really looking at the options available in midfield most need to play with someone who can support them in holding the midfield.
I think a back three with Martinez in the middle means we have height either side of him, while the demand on him to cover as much space would be reduced meaning he's less likely to suffer injuries.
We don't have any traditional wingers, so getting wingbacks in to replace the the full backs who aren't good enough makes sense.
We have inside forwards and roaming No.10's, playing them slightly narrower in the front three would suit all of Bruno, Mount, Rashford, Garnacho, Amad and possibly even Antony. Although I'd be tempted to try Antony as a LWB maybe in a 343 system.
It gives you a double pivot in midfield to play out from the back, along with more central options in defence. That makes is a much harder shape to press high, giving the team stability to play out.
The wide forwards playing narrower means we could create a box midfield with the double pivot, while the wide forwards can rotate with the wingbacks creating either overlapping or under lapping runs. Making the attack much less predictable. While the narrow shape through the middle makes it a much better shape defensively, with space limited to out wide, where it's less dangerous, and easier to counter press using the sidelines to win it back.
Many teams look play this way by either having an inverted fullback in midfield with the other fullback either becoming part of the back three or playing as a wide option further forward and have a midfielder drop back between the CB's to create the back three.
Regardless of what the starting formation might say, many look more like either a 3223, 3232, or a 3241 shape during the game.
Many of the best young up and coming managers have looked towards a 343 type shape as their defacto shape as it means they can have more special-ist in key positions, rather than having players rotate to play in positions they haven't typically played before. Like having a fullback in midfield or at CB.
Having a 343 means you have special-ist CB's playing at CB and special-ist midfielders playing in midfield. Leaving the wingbacks to focus more on creating chances along with inside forwards and attacking midfielders playing in their best position/ area of the pitch.