3-5-2: How Manchester United could line up with this tactical switch under Jose Mourinho

Manchester United kicked off their 2017/18 campaign in stunning style – sticking four past West Ham United at the Theatre of Dreams. During that game, we stuck with the usual four at the back formation. But, during pre-season, the 3-5-2 was adopted on a few occasions.

That got us thinking, just how could the Red Devils look if they made the switch a permanent one? Perhaps that was Jose Mourinho’s thinking when moving for both Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic.

Anyway, we’ve drawn up a starting XI. Taking everything into consideration, when everyone is fit and firing, this is the best we could do.

Have a look at the 3-5-2 best possible line-up here:

Looking at the formation, it does feel a lot more defensive, but, if you have the correct footballers playing in those wide positions, it’s anything but.

Anyway, in goal, David de Gea will obviously get the nod. Then onto the back three. You have Eric Bailly starting as the middle centre-half, with Phil Jones to his right and the currently injured Marcos Rojo on the left. On top of that, you have great options from the bench in the form of Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof and Axel Tuanzebe.


In the wide areas, I’d say that our best combo would of course, be Antonio Valencia and Luke Shaw. Both of whom love to get forward, but by trade, they are defence first. Mourinho will also be able to call upon Matteo Darmian, Jesse Lingard and Daley Blind to play in this area too…

Nemanja Matic is obviously included, with both Paul Pogba and Ander Herrera just in front of him. Right now, the midfield three picks itself. Michael Carrick could also slot in seamlessly, and the same goes for Marouane Fellaini.

The most exciting part of the team is the two strikers. As of right now, you’d simply have to choose Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Rashford. But, Anthony Martial is a striker by trade, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could also fill in if needed.

What do you reckon, could we see a tactical switch at times this season?

About Jordan Street 18924 Articles
Mancunian. Red through and through. Season Ticket holder block E332.

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