Emulating Jose Mourinho's Manchester United: Specialist in Victory

[felley]

So I was motivated by this thread to create my own interpretation of Jose's tactics as I still feel @Jean0987654321 is a way off something that mimics the reality of United's play at the moment.

To this end, I decided to make detailed notes whilst watching the last two games (before the cup game) in order to try and back up what I think I've seen and how it differs from the tactics posted above.  As a side note, I think it's worth mentioning that Jose is actually surprisingly flexible with formation at the moment, especially when it comes to his famed noodlings in showpiece games - so I've also created an interpretation of what I saw in the Arsenal game and yesterday's defeat to Bristol City.

The 4-2-3-1

First off the bat, Jose's famed "4-2-3-1" has always been more of a 4-4-1-1 with withdrawn wingers and central midfielders. At United, it's been pretty much business as usual when it comes to Mourinho's use of this shape - creative wide men who are expected to track back, a lone forward supported by a withdrawn attacker, a robust player holding the middle. The major difference is Pogba, who Jose uses as the creative heartbeat of the team - whilst knowing that he is strongest starting from a deeper position. To these ends and in contrast to his earlier days, we see Mourinho asking his AMC to support play across the middle and final third whilst the secondary central midfielder has license to roam forward and pick passes.

In my interpretation the midfield three are a BWM(D) (classic Mourinho sitter/destroyer), a Regista (damn close to Pogba's current role - he was more of a Mezzala at Juve) and an AM(S) with Roam From Position and Close Down Much More (most recently Lingard has been used here due to his great work ethic and support play).

As for the other roles, the back four is fairly self explanatory for a good team who expect to control the game in the opposition's half with two simple CD(D)'s and a pair of Wing Back's. I actually think Mourinho mixes it up down the flanks depending on the opposition and the form of his players. In the early season Valencia was flying forward from right back and a large amount of the play was focused down his side but more recently Ashley Young has been featuring as the more attacking full back.

This brings us onto the other flank men and Jose has been doing something quite interesting recently in an effort to get creativity and movement into the side. The left side is obvious with one of Martial or Rashford cutting in as some sort of inverted winger, whereas the right side has become much more unpredictable in the last few weeks. If I was using the AM strata I'd plump for a wide Trequartista but as it stands a WP(A) should do what we have been seeing from Rashford or Mata when used in this position - popping up all over the place in the final third with license to dribble, pass riskily and even shoot when necessary.

As for Lukaku, he's clearly being played as a DLF by Jose and I reckon his lateral movement into channels and forward runs mean he has an attack duty.

Finally, I think Mourinho very rarely plays higher than what FM would consider a Standard mentality, only really altering his back line and pressing from forward players to add aggression. I've chose fluid (might be a surprise to some) because the team tend to be compact and work in two distinct units with the front 3-5 being allowed plenty of freedom of movement to attempt to pick open stubborn defences.


The 3-4-1-2 (as seen against Arsenal)

This is almost a game specific tactic but United have used a back three/five on several occasions before this. Again Pogba is the lynchpin and the 3 defenders plus Anchorman and supporting Wing Back's give him the platform that allows him to push forward in order to join the attack. As for the attacking trio, once again a supporting player is used at AM which allows him to drop back in during the defensive phase as well as push up to from a front three in attack. The other two forwards also start from deeper positions with Lukaku being the disruptive, hold up player - DF(D) - and Martial the more attacking player looking to burst into the box from deep with runs and dribbling (asked to Dribble More).

Counter mentality is pretty self explanatory and I've selected fluid for the same reasons outlined in the 4-2-3-1. As for TI's, I think United only used two as they attempted to focus the play through the middle of the pitch with direct balls into their attacking trio, followed by sharp interchanges that should be helped by the fluid shape.


The 4-3-3 (as seen against Bristol City)

Ok, probably a bit of a weird one to include as the game was a loss, but I analysed it like the previous set of games and for me Jose set up with genuine urgency to play the ball forward and at solid tempo so straight away I settled on control as a mentality (probably the highest setting he'd use  ). As the team was spread further apart and didn't seem to roam (apart from Rashford), I left shape on flexible.

As for the roles, we saw Mourinho mix it up quite a lot - though my interpretation may be also down to the players used. Starting at the back, neither full back was overly adventurous with the overlap until late in the game so as a starting base I've gone for a WB(S) in Luke Shaw and a FB(S) in Matteo Darmian. Central defenders are simple as usual... 

As for the midfield, Blind sat deep and attempted to pull the strings when he wasn't being pressed off the ball (or out-manoeuvred by a quicker player) so a DLP(D) suits him, McTominay was mainly a pressing player who looked to support further forward as the play developed (BWM(S)) and Pogba was once again the heartbeat of the side seeing lots of the ball - can't think of a better role than RPM.

The forward line differs somewhat from the usual front three but mainly because of Ibrahimovic's inability to move like an athlete for most of the game. I've chucked him in as a DLF(S) because he was often the deepest player of the trio and allowed Rashford and Martial to bypass him (by the time Lukaku came on eventually, United had switched more to the 4-2-3-1 that I outlined above with Mkhitaryan playing in the hole). As for the two wide men, Rashford played the more advanced version of the WP(A) used in the 4-2-3-1, thus becoming more of a Trequartista - popping up all over the place unmarked and ending up in midfield as well as the primary striker at times. Finally, you may wonder why I've selected Martial as a Winger on support duty but from my eyes he stayed incredibly wide and relied on his natural footedness and traits in order to cut inside and find narrower positions at times.


So I hope these tactics at the very least cause some discussion. I've not got the time to really test them rigorously but if I did, I'd be looking to make it mimic United as closely as possible whilst staying true to these initial thoughts. I reckon the duty balance is spot on in the 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-1-2 but there could be room for tweaks (there always is!)... as for the 4-3-3, it's a bit meh but so was the performance last night.

 

[dannysheard]

Wow, you actually want your team to play like Mourinho's Utd? Is that because he got the most expensive team in the world to finish sixth last year?

I'm not saying you need to be gung ho, but maybe try someone a bit more progressive like Allardyce or Pulis.

[FrazT]

@dannysheard

Users can design whichever tactic they want- if you don't agree with what they are trying to do, then just don't post

[goqs06]

Problems with the system (IRL and prolly in FM18)

Mourinho’s system seems plausible, but has players that are inefficient in executing it. Players like Darmian and Blind need to go since they are slow, which is a key attribute in Utd’s Wing backs. 

I have noticed that both Rashford/Martial and Mata are wide players that cut in. However, they perform different roles. Rashford/Martial act as a secondary striker who deviates on the wings, while Mata is a playmaker who creates from the Wing. My take would be:

Rashford/Martial: inverted winger Attack or inside forward support

Mata: wide playmaker Attack or wide trequartista attack

A problem here is that United lack width, unlike City. Even at Chelsea and Real Madrid, Mourinho at out and out reap wingers like Di Maria and Willian. Heck, at Inter, even with a winger less formation in the 442 diamond had Maicon bombing the flanks. We have young prospects who can do this role, like Chong and Angel Gomes, but I’d rather the latter become a no.10 trequartista.

Hopefully we’ll do better in the 2nd half of the season.

[felley]

Agree mostly with that. They do use wide areas a lot but not with much efficiency.

Credit where it's due, the forward players have been playing with plenty of freedom - as I outlined in my tactic above -  the wide right player and the AMC tend to roam around and choose their own angles of attack. This seems to muddy the water a lot though as it stifles quick interchanges and often results in the players bunching in a certain area. In recent weeks you often see the scenario where all 4 forward players plus 1 midfielder find themselves in the same channel on the left side... ok, great they have an overload but there's no clever exploiting of space.

I know it's said so often that it's become cliche, but I genuinely think Mou has trouble creating attacking systems. He knows how to motivate players, keep them on their toes, make them fight etc. etc. but aside from Lukaku being a vaguely complete forward who attacks from deep, the other technical players are expected to rely on their own flair and ingenuity with the structure only visible during defensive transition and the defensive phase.

Not to sound too negative but it's all a bit ad hoc and feels like it could collapse like a house of cards.

[sherifdinn_]

I think were all getting the roles a bit wrong here. Pogba is truly a roaming playmaker. I observed the movement of this role when I played him in a deeper position in midfield. Sometimes he would be found wider to hit a dipping cross like his assist against Newcastle. And if you think magic involves himself in the attacking build up set him to defensive midfielder on support duty.

[goqs06]

1 hour ago, sherifdinn_ said:

I think were all getting the roles a bit wrong here. Pogba is truly a roaming playmaker. I observed the movement of this role when I played him in a deeper position in midfield. Sometimes he would be found wider to hit a dipping cross like his assist against Newcastle. And if you think magic involves himself in the attacking build up set him to defensive midfielder on support duty.

Adding the PIs Run Wide with Ball and Move into Channels for Pogba’s RPM role would be magic!

[goqs06]

@sherifdinn_

You do have a point about the roles though. Apart from the 2 central midfielders and wingbacks in the OP, the rest are accurate.

Mourinho would never make both Young and Valencia CWBs, giving them the license the roam and do whatever they want. Though they allowed to support attacks, it is mandatory for them to track back.

For Matic, he kinda holds the ball and makes interceptions and gives it to the more attacking players like Pogba and Rashford, later stepping in to help out.

You kinda explained Pogba’s RPM role so I wont go into it.

The stopper-cover tandem of Jones/Lindelof-Bailly reminds me of the pairing of Terry-Carvalho at Mourinho’s 04/05 Chelsea side.

Lukaku is sometimes the CF (s) or DLF (s/a). He kinda drops deep the furthest allowing the wingers to advance and act as a pivot. In other instances he carves our chances for himself and others, spearheading attacks.

[sherifdinn_]

22 hours ago, goqs06 said:

For Matic, he kinda holds the ball and makes interceptions and gives it to the more attacking players like Pogba and Rashford, later stepping in to help out.

Like I said, a defensive midfielder on support

 

22 hours ago, goqs06 said:

The stopper-cover tandem of Jones/Lindelof-Bailly reminds me of the pairing of Terry-Carvalho at Mourinho’s 04/05 Chelsea side.

Scared to try this, but I do remember doing it once and I got a positive result.

 

23 hours ago, goqs06 said:

Mourinho would never make both Young and Valencia CWBs, giving them the license the roam and do whatever they want. Though they allowed to support attacks, it is mandatory for them to track back.

Wingbacks on support worked well

 

23 hours ago, goqs06 said:

Lukaku is sometimes the CF (s) or DLF (s/a). He kinda drops deep the furthest allowing the wingers to advance and act as a pivot. In other instances he carves our chances for himself and others, spearheading attacks.

Correct.

[goqs06]

De gea does sweep up loose balls like a sweeper keeper, would SK (D) be appropriate for him?

[jc577]

7 minutes ago, goqs06 said:

De gea does sweep up loose balls like a sweeper keeper, would SK (D) be appropriate for him?

He really doesn't.

[sherifdinn_]

57 minutes ago, goqs06 said:

De gea does sweep up loose balls like a sweeper keeper, would SK (D) be appropriate for him?

I don't think so, all he does is just receive back passes from cb  under pressure

[felley]

Yeah he really doesn't play as a sweeper. That guy has one job and he's top notch at doing it.

[goqs06]

@Jean0987654321

How’s your save going with these tactics? Mines doing pretty well with a bit of adjustments.

[Jean0987654321]

11 hours ago, goqs06 said:

@Jean0987654321

How’s your save going with these tactics? Mines doing pretty well with a bit of adjustments.

A lil sick right now but I'll come through with some updates after this cold passes me by!!

 

To generalize, I'm going through a rough patch due to injuries and some players out of form but the concept is having some success

[goqs06]

I have observed that Shaw attacks more than Valencia in games, so Shaw would be wb (a) and Valencia wb (s). Young as well. Darmian is defo a fb (s) and blind a more conservative wing back on defend duty.

[Jean0987654321]

12 hours ago, goqs06 said:

I have observed that Shaw attacks more than Valencia in games, so Shaw would be wb (a) and Valencia wb (s). Young as well. Darmian is defo a fb (s) and blind a more conservative wing back on defend duty.

Agree on Darmain and Shaw's roles but Tony is still a CWB. Blind is maybe a WB (s)

[Jean0987654321]

It took a while but I updated the OPs...

[jameseccross]

17 hours ago, Jean0987654321 said:

It took a while but I updated the OPs...

Maybe you should update the title to remove "specialist in victory".

[goqs06]

On 24/12/2017 at 13:48, FrazT said:

@dannysheard

Users can design whichever tactic they want- if you don't agree with what they are trying to do, then just don't post

 

7 minutes ago, jameseccross said:

Maybe you should update the title to remove "specialist in victory".

@jameseccross @FrazT @herne79

[herne79]

57 minutes ago, goqs06 said:

 

@jameseccross @FrazT @herne79

You rang?

[Jean0987654321]

8 hours ago, herne79 said:

You rang?

I think he was joking. I have no clue.

[jameseccross]

Or he was getting tetchy about a bit of light ribbing

[jameseccross]

Running a season on sim might help give you some ideas for this - in my game the engine did a good job of emulating Jose - he came 5th and didn't get the sack.

If you're honestly trying to copy what jose does, I don't see how you can justify anything but the lowest tempo.

[Jean0987654321]

14 hours ago, jameseccross said:

Running a season on sim might help give you some ideas for this - in my game the engine did a good job of emulating Jose - he came 5th and didn't get the sack.

If you're honestly trying to copy what jose does, I don't see how you can justify anything but the lowest tempo.

That does not do anything. You can't just run this tactic on a sim. This is not a magic bean

[jameseccross]

7 hours ago, Jean0987654321 said:

That does not do anything. You can't just run this tactic on a sim. This is not a magic bean

Sense of humour fail here, my point was the AI does a good job of being Jose.

[goqs06]

On 1/3/2018 at 21:58, herne79 said:

You rang?

I'm sorry, kinda overreacted a bit there.

[blehq12]

@Jean0987654321 @felley @sherifdinn_ could you try the new 4-3-3 formation Mourinho's been using with a mid 3 of Pogba, Lingard and Matic? I'd like to see your interpretation of these 3 roles.

[goqs06]

2 minutes ago, blehq12 said:

@Jean0987654321 @felley @sherifdinn_ could you try the new 4-3-3 formation Mourinho's been using with a mid 3 of Pogba, Lingard and Matic? I'd like to see your interpretation of these 3 roles.

To me its DLP (D), RPM (S) and CM (A).

 

[Jean0987654321]

11 hours ago, goqs06 said:

To me its DLP (D), RPM (S) and CM (A).

 

 

12 hours ago, blehq12 said:

@Jean0987654321 @felley @sherifdinn_ could you try the new 4-3-3 formation Mourinho's been using with a mid 3 of Pogba, Lingard and Matic? I'd like to see your interpretation of these 3 roles.

For me, its

CM (a)-DLP (d)-MEZ (a)

[goqs06]

3 hours ago, Jean0987654321 said:

 

For me, its

CM (a)-DLP (d)-MEZ (a)

Who is the CM and the MeZ?

[Jean0987654321]

4 minutes ago, goqs06 said:

Who is the CM and the MeZ?

Lingard is the CM and Pogba is the Mez

[goqs06]

11 hours ago, Jean0987654321 said:

Lingard is the CM and Pogba is the Mez

Thanks 

[goqs06]

On 1/26/2018 at 07:48, Jean0987654321 said:

For me, its

CM (a)-DLP (d)-MEZ (a)

Recently Mourinho's been using a 4-3-3 formation for our side. The TIs are more or less the same like the ones in @Jean0987654321's OP, but I added "close down more" and "higher tempo" since I noticed they have been pressing the opposition more and play with a faster tempo on the counter.

G: De Gea

FB (Su): Valencia/Darmian

CD (St): Smalling/Bailly (when he returns)

BPD (Co): Lindelof/Rojo/Jones

WB (At): Shaw/Young

DLP (De): Matic/Carrick

CM (At): Lingard/Herrera/Fellaini/McTominay

MEZ (At): Pogba

IF (Su): Martial/Rashford/Lingard

W (At): Mhkitaryan (already left)/Mata/Sanchez (ideal choice)

CF (Su): Lukaku/Ibrahimovic/Rashford

[blehq12]

13 minutes ago, goqs06 said:

Recently Mourinho's been using a 4-3-3 formation for our side. The TIs are more or less the same like the ones in @Jean0987654321's OP, but I added "close down more" and "higher tempo" since I noticed they have been pressing the opposition more and play with a faster tempo on the counter.

G: De Gea

FB (Su): Valencia/Darmian

CD (St): Smalling/Bailly (when he returns)

BPD (Co): Lindelof/Rojo/Jones

WB (At): Shaw/Young

DLP (De): Matic/Carrick

CM (At): Lingard/Herrera/Fellaini/McTominay

MEZ (At): Pogba

IF (Su): Martial/Rashford/Lingard

W (At): Mhkitaryan (already left)/Mata/Sanchez (ideal choice)

CF (Su): Lukaku/Ibrahimovic/Rashford

Looks great, can't wait to try it out!

[Moutorious]

2 hours ago, goqs06 said:

Recently Mourinho's been using a 4-3-3 formation for our side. The TIs are more or less the same like the ones in @Jean0987654321's OP, but I added "close down more" and "higher tempo" since I noticed they have been pressing the opposition more and play with a faster tempo on the counter.

G: De Gea

FB (Su): Valencia/Darmian

CD (St): Smalling/Bailly (when he returns)

BPD (Co): Lindelof/Rojo/Jones

WB (At): Shaw/Young

DLP (De): Matic/Carrick

CM (At): Lingard/Herrera/Fellaini/McTominay

MEZ (At): Pogba

IF (Su): Martial/Rashford/Lingard

W (At): Mhkitaryan (already left)/Mata/Sanchez (ideal choice)

CF (Su): Lukaku/Ibrahimovic/Rashford

Mezzala and an Inside Forward on the same side?

[goqs06]

7 hours ago, Moutorious said:

Mezzala and an Inside Forward on the same side?

I did that to Ensure that the Mezzala occupies the half-space vacated by the Inside Forward when the latter cuts in. This was what I noticed when Pogba plays in this roles where he deviates slightly to the left when Martial cuts inside.

 

[blehq12]

14 hours ago, goqs06 said:

I did that to Ensure that the Mezzala occupies the half-space vacated by the Inside Forward when the latter cuts in. This was what I noticed when Pogba plays in this roles where he deviates slightly to the left when Martial cuts inside.

 

That isn't accurate as the IF and Mez will occupy the same half-space. To make your tactic more sound and to prevent the IF and Mez clashing on the left wing, I'd suggest you swap the Mez and Cm (A) positions to RCM and LCM respectively.

[goqs06]

1 minute ago, blehq12 said:

That isn't accurate as the IF and Mez will occupy the same half-space. To make your tactic more sound and to prevent the IF and Mez clashing on the left wing, I'd suggest you swap the Mez and Cm (A) positions to RCM and LCM respectively.

Ok I should go and try that out! 🤘🏻

[blehq12]

On 1/26/2018 at 07:48, Jean0987654321 said:

For me, its

CM (a)-DLP (d)-MEZ (a)

I would change CM (a) - Pogba role -  to CM (s) for Herrera/McTominay role.

[blehq12]

On 1/5/2018 at 08:25, Jean0987654321 said:

That does not do anything. You can't just run this tactic on a sim. This is not a magic bean

Plug and Play's been dead since FM12

[blehq12]

On 12/27/2017 at 21:44, sherifdinn_ said:

Like I said, a defensive midfielder on support

 

Scared to try this, but I do remember doing it once and I got a positive result.

 

Wingbacks on support worked well

 

Correct.

That's accurate but Darmian's a conservative FB (s) who rarely gets forward.

[blehq12]

If we ever play our youngsters they'll play in the following roles and duties:

Angel Gomes: T (a)

Demetri Mitchell: WB (a)

Fosu-Mensah: FB (a)

[dawae]

An analysis on our new sigining.

[dawae]

On 1/28/2018 at 21:42, goqs06 said:

Recently Mourinho's been using a 4-3-3 formation for our side. The TIs are more or less the same like the ones in @Jean0987654321's OP, but I added "close down more" and "higher tempo" since I noticed they have been pressing the opposition more and play with a faster tempo on the counter.

G: De Gea

FB (Su): Valencia/Darmian

CD (St): Smalling/Bailly (when he returns)

BPD (Co): Lindelof/Rojo/Jones

WB (At): Shaw/Young

DLP (De): Matic/Carrick

CM (At): Lingard/Herrera/Fellaini/McTominay

MEZ (At): Pogba

IF (Su): Martial/Rashford/Lingard

W (At): Mhkitaryan (already left)/Mata/Sanchez (ideal choice)

CF (Su): Lukaku/Ibrahimovic/Rashford

This seems to be more acccurate then other replications of mou's 4-3-3 on other forums like the korean and thai ones

[dawae]

8 minutes ago, blehq12 said:

If we ever play our youngsters they'll play in the following roles and duties:

Angel Gomes: T (a)

Demetri Mitchell: WB (a)

Fosu-Mensah: FB (a)

Fosu-Mensah wont be so attacking like a FB (a), so I'd say Fb (s)

[dawae]

11 minutes ago, blehq12 said:

Plug and Play's been dead since FM12

thats the sad thing......

[dawae]

On 12/6/2017 at 09:09, Jean0987654321 said:

So, how do we emulate the tactics of the Special One in FM. Well, I've gone over to Whoscored to get a clue on how United plays IRL. I also watch the games and read manutdtactics.com.

The formation we usually play is a 4-2-3-1ish shape and we now adopt a 3-4-1-2ish shape against sides that play three in the back. The reason we play the latter is because it allows us to get the front 2.5 pressing high up the field against the three defenders man-to-man with little to no worry about getting countered on. Wenger tried to counter that playing 4-4-2 but that didn't work because that just gave our backline a "free player" and all we had the do is to get the stoppers Marcos Rojo and Vincent Lindelof to mark Alexis Sanchez and Alex Lacazette. Chris Smalling remained as the "free man".

This is how I would translate the 4231ish shape to this game

Reading a bit of Cleon's 4231 thread gave me a bit of inspiration for this shape. You get a bit more defensive solidity with this shape as the Wingers will track back more and it fits everybody like a button.

So for the mentality, I would go with Counter because we never play a high-line. We would press yes but that usually happens against weaker teams and we tend to do all the pressing in a low block. That's what Mourinho likes to do: "high pressing in a low block". For the shape, it is a no-brainer that it has to be Rigid because certain players have certain roles within the team and only a select few have creative freedom (Mata, Matic, and maybe Pogba).

TIs

Pass Into Space

As Whoscored states, we always look to nick in a through ball for Lukaku to get behind. He is a classic 9 as he is the one who always lead the line.

Play Out Of Defense

We have an ample of guys at the back who are good with carrying the ball such as Daley Blind, Phil Jones, Lindelof, Marcos Rojo, and Eric Baily. They are usually playing the ball out of our area.

Whipped Crosses

Our wingbacks usually the ones with great crossing ability so they use it to find Lukaku in the box.

Higher Tempo

We don't waste time on the ball. We look to move the ball quickly.

Play Much Narrower

Our wingers tend to sit in when attacking in order to allow our wingbacks to get forward and whip in a cross.

Close Down Much More

Only against bigger teams we use this TI as they are not as good with the ball in their feet as the bigger sides.

Stay On Feet

We don't usually go to ground. Instead we aim to block passing lanes and stay tight and compact.

Prevent Short GK Distribution

Usually this is done by Lukaku and Micky. Force the GK to kicking the ball long so that our defenders can get it back.

 

PIs:

GK: Distribute Quickly, Roll It Out

Oh Dea Gea. The man could save Tupac from death. He is the best GK in the world but I'm somewhat biased While he can charge out to scoop up through balls, he doesn't really do that too often because of the low block we play.

CWB (a)

Both Tony Valencia and Ashley Young can get forward and whip in a cross so the CWB role makes sense.

CD (s)

Tackle Harder, Mark Tighter

This would be the role of Eric Baily as he was the guy usually charging up to the opponent while Blind or Lindelof would cover him.

BPD (c)

Ease Off Tackles, Mark Tighter, Hold Position, Dribble More, Close Down Much Less

This fits the role of Blind/Jones/Lindelof real well. Both men are good with the ball which enables them to bring the ball out.

DLP (s)

I believe that this role fits Matic like a glove. While he does protect the defense, he tends to go forward on an occasion.

SV (a) - Dribble More

This role fits Pogba like a glove. He is always making a late run to the ball and he tends to be the man who drives the ball foward so that Lukaku can get it.

WP (a) - Get Further Forward

This is easily Mata's role in the team. He is the playmaker out wide and has a killer ball in him as well.

IW (a) - Cross Less Often, Sit Narrower, Roam From Position

This is the role of Martial and Rashford. Both men cutting in from the left and using their right foot is their usual shtick.

CM (a) - Move Into Channels, Roam From Position, Close Down Much More, Tackle Harder

This role fits Micky and that is only reason why he is in the side even when out of form. He works hard in defense and tracks back A LOT.

CF (s) - Move Into Channels, Close Down Much More

Lukaku's role is basically a true 9. Nuff said.

 

How about the 3-in-the-back shape? Well, thats a bit easy.

We won't be attacking with 11 men but in reality we are attacking more because of the three man shield at the back. In defense, however, which is tough to emulate in this game we defend in a pendulum-esque 4-4-2 shape. When one wingback steps out and press, the outside center back would become the temporary fullback. This is a similar type of defending to Julian Naglessmann's Hoffenheim (The mini-Mou :D). The base shape is just a 5-2-1-2ish shape.

PIs

BPD x 2 - Dribble More, Tackle Harder, Mark Tigher

CD - Ease Off Tackles, Mark Tigher

CM (a) - Move Into Channels, Roam From Position, Close Down Much More, Tackle Harder

DF (d) - Move Into Channels

 

One more thing about the front 2.5. They remind me of how Mourinho's Inter played. A hard-working AM in Wesley and a Defensive Forward in Eto'o with Milito providing the goals. This shape seems to be the one in which Lukaku excels in.

 

Links for inspiration:

 

http://www.gbarticles.co.uk/tactical-analysis/tactical-analysis-arsenal-fc-manchester-united/

http://outsideoftheboot.com/2017/10/29/tactical-analysis-manchester-united-1-0-tottenham-hotspur/

https://community.sigames.com/topic/388376-wales-at-euro-2016-highly-structured/

This is very good analysis!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dawae]

Let's revive this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[goqs06]

7 minutes ago, dawae said:

Let's revive this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOah @dawae don’t SPAM’s too much man...