Why Manchester United should adopt a 3-5-2 formation

Louis van Gaal will look to change Manchester United’s formation

Tactical changes are sure to come in along with the new manager. Its these tactics that seldom defines a manager’s reign at a particular club. Especially, if he’s a new one.

New Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal would be desperate to stamp his authority over a flailing Manchester United side. Although, he’s already done that in the market through signings of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw, but it’s quite debatable as to what formation he’ll adhere to at Old Trafford.

Having used an all-new 3-5-2 at the World Cup with his Netherlands team, he would probably look to do the same with Manchester United. And Louis van Gaal, the tactical mastermind may be hitting the nail on the head yet again.

The 3-5-2 which deploys central defenders along with a sweeper does have defensive concerns, but if the proper players are made to play in those defensive roles, it will prosper. Based on recent evidence, it is prospering for the Dutch national side. Bruno Martins Indi, Ron Vlaar and Stefan de Vrij are players who are good enough to settle into these roles.

The sweeper must be a player who is well built, experienced and must have a good reading of the game. Like Aston Villa’s Ron Vlaar, the sweeper must be good in the air apart from being experienced. In case, a midfield player loses a ball cheaply just in front of the defence, he can muscle the opposing attackers out and shrug them off the ball even in the air, when dealing with crosses. The two central defenders must have the ability to predict the next movement of the striker, just to compliment the sweeper in not letting anybody near the goal. This will help them a great deal in breaking down counters with the help of a central midfielder. Ander Herrera is exactly the central midfielder United need in the heart of the park. He is defensively sound and well above par when it comes to distributing and spraying balls to all sides of the park. The ex-Bilbao man is also efficient enough in dashing into the box, much like Tottenham’s Paulinho and Bayern’s Schweinsteiger.

This formation also allows the team utilizing it, to maintain possession in the midfield area. Again, everything will be down to the versatile central midfielders. With the number of men in the midfield, utilizing possession will also be a key. The right and left central midfielders beside, say Herrera can explore the untapped lands of the full backs that must be more than proficient and energetic in this formation. They can extol the unit in surging into the box by occupying empty spaces behind the strikers.

The full-backs will be players around whom the team will revolve around. If they have the necessary drive, speed, stamina and proficiency in motoring forward and also don’t end up on the halfway line during opposition breakouts, they can help the team achieve success. New teenage signing Luke Shaw may find it a bit burdening to carry the whole weight of the side from a single sector of the field, but that’s what he did in Southampton It will be a huge boost for the Red Devils if Shaw lives up to his expectations at Old Trafford, which will thus allow United to offload Patrice Evra for another full back because Van Gaal fits the players into a formation rather than changing the formations based on the players’ credentials.

The system also requires an out and out striker, who has to be good at finishing off the chances he gets. He can drop 4-5 steps deep for some seconds and surge forward after passing the ball to somebody, if someone is out of options. The other forward, has to be something of a Central Attacking Midfelder in a 4-4-1-1. Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata possess the know-how of this role and with Robin van Persie up front, together they can cause damage to any defence. Of Course, the position of one of them will fall into peril, but both being versatile players can operate alongside Herrera as well.

This formation will help against top English sides such as Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs. If United succeeds in snapping up another decent central defender like Stefan di Vrij, Mats Hummels or Martins Indi.

If you think otherwise, comment below!