Watch: What happens when you play with no defenders on FIFA 17

What’s the story?

FIFA YouTuber, Rich Leigh has made a name for himself by conducting numerous viral FIFA experiments. DreamteamFC found out that this time, FIFA’s very own mad scientist decided to try his hand at manager mode with Manchester United in a formation which featured all of 0 defenders.

While you might already be scoffing at the idea, the results of the experiment are, in fact, quite surprising.

In case you didn’t know...

FIFA 17 is the largest selling football based video game in the world and it allows users to play with a selection of teams from the best leagues around the world. In addition to this, FIFA also provides players with a wide variety of formations to play with.

These formations can be customised in any way the player wishes. This means that users can play with all 10 outfield players in defence or as in this case, one goalkeeper, no defenders, five midfielders and five out and out attackers.

The heart of the matter

Predictably, playing with zero defenders in the Premier League did not yield impressive results. Manchester United found themselves in 19^th after a dismal first seven games of the season while they managed to reach the knockout stages of the Europa League where they were knocked out in the first round.

Surprisingly, or not so surprisingly (depending on what you think of English football’s administration), the manager playing this adventurous formation was offered the England job. The formation was used there too and he helped the Three Lions to a couple of victories in Europe.

What’s next?

The manager, after a string of poor results, ended up getting fired. His England job, however, was safe and the Three Lions remained under his tutelage.

Author’s Take

While such a formation exists in the game, it would be nigh on impossible to replicate the same formation in reality without disastrous consequences. Manchester United are already struggling to keep clean sheets, a situation which would only get worse if this formation was employed.