20 May 2014 15:46:35
What do people make of van Gaal planning on playing 532 with the Dutch national team?

Could he play that with us? Would he? And what would all those people who said they didn't want Conte because he plays 532? Lol.

I think it could work, it might be the answer of how do you fit RvP Rooney and Mata into the same team.

Looking at who we've been linked with how about DDG in goal, Rafael and Shaw providing width with Jones Hummels and Martins Indi as the back three, then you have Fabregas and Kroos in midfield with Mata slightly ahead of them behind Rooney and RvP in attack.

With van Gaals attacking system then the team will he quite high up the pitch at which point the formation would look more like a 3412?

Could that work? Interesting times ahead that's for sure. This way would allow him to get our best players on the pitch in their best positions, while also cover for the fact that we don't have a controlling No.6 like LvG likes to play with in his 433 formation.

Food for thought.

{Ed004's Note - I was thinking that myself. I reckon it would work but only if one centre back is good enough to step into midfield to make it a midfield 3. That's why I was think carvalho might be a target as he can step back into the defence. Also it still lacks a lot of pace surely we would need a quicker midfield? Or a striker with speed?}

1.) 20 May 2014
20 May 2014 17:01:50
I think it could work too. Shaw, Hummels, Kroos and another CM and then we would be very strong. Would also allow Jones and Smalling to both play which I'd like to see. The more I look at the, the more I like it - providing our fullbacks can provide the width.

2.) 20 May 2014
Where does Shaw fit in? He isn't a winger. I don't think it would work and I don't think that he will do it here.

3.) 20 May 2014
Not going to happen he is only going to this formation because of injures and he does not the right players to play the formation he would prefer, I wouldn't look too much into the formation he is playing with the dutch team

4.) 20 May 2014
I have thought about it as well. The wingbacks could be Shaw on the left and Valencia or Rafael on the right.

Maybe a wingback is an ideal position for Valencia, where he could give us pace and width, without his downside at either RW or RB. He does not score enough for a winger, and he has lapses at RB, but in the 5-3-2 there would be more cover for him.

5.) 20 May 2014
I can't see Valencia as a wing back as defensively I don't think he is solid enough imo. When he has been forced to occupy that position he often gets beaten too easily especially when he tries to tackle with his left foot. I think Valencia is a good player but only in his strongest position as a winger.