Your conclusion that a 5 man MF is the way to go is not my view however, certainly not with our current attacking corps. Rooney is not as dangerous playing the single striker, Berbatov has proved that he is unable to fill that role and Owen is just too small and dainty to pose any single handed threat.

We must create chances, but we must be able to convert them too!!

shiting on essien and cashley

4-5-1 does often work for us against good sides but the real problem is that with our central midfielders playing deep and occupied with defensive work, we need our wingers to get forward and support the strikers and provide a goal threat.

Our best chances fell to Valencia and Giggs and they both screwed them up. In fixtures last season Park blew his fair share of chances as well.

Teams like Arsenal and Barcelona have players like Messi, Arshavin, Henry who are all capable of playing wide and scoring. But we do not have anyone fitting that description with the exception of Nani who is out in the cold.

There was a view that with Ronaldo gone we’d revert back to 4-4-2. But our central midfield just isn’t good enough to play a 4-4-2 against any good team. So 4-5-1/4-3-3 is the formation for us. That means no role for Berbatov as Rooney works best through the middle and it also means no role for Valencia who fits better into a 4-4-2. Obertan may sort out our problems on the left but it is time Fergie makes a decision on Nani. Either play him in the big games, or ditch him and buy someone else. Playing Park or Valencia as the safe option in big games just doesn’t cut it.

At his age it is foolish to think he is gonna be great every game, but the cold hard truth is he is the best left sided player we have at the moment.

So lay off the old man