Football Manager 2023 Manchester United tactic and team guide. Club culture and board
requirements, tactics, key players, and transfers in FM23.
Football Manager 2023 Manchester United tactic and team guide. Club culture
and board requirements, tactics, key players, youth prospects and potential
transfers in FM23.
Here is a brief analysis of the Man Utd squad, their club structure, the relationship any potential managers will have with the board, expectations and possible tactics any FM23 manager can use.
About Manchester United
Manchester United are the most successful club in England with a record 20 league titles, 12 FA Cups, 5 league cups, and 7 European titles, including 3 champion’s league wins. United are also the most supported club in the world. Popularly called the “red devils”, the fans are used to success and silverware. However, Man Utd have had it rough since the departure of their legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson with no league titles over the last 8 years.
United finished a disappointing 6th in the 2021-2022 season and in dire need of a rebuild.
Manchester United are in the Europa League this season; the board requirements should you take over will be;
· A top 6 league finish (automatic qualification to the Europa League)
· Challenge for the UEFA Europa League.
· Challenge for the FA Cup.
· Be competitive in the Carabao cup.
The board do not have any particular requirements as to how you need to play as long as the results are achieved.
The supporter culture and expectations once you take over will be;
The club have top-notch training facilities and a very good youth setup. This should help you in fulfilling the board's requirement of promoting youth players. Once the first season is out of the way, the transfer and wage budgets will match the board’s ambitions and help the manager achieve the club’s goals.
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There are quite a few tactical setups you could deploy with Man Utd; however, the best-suited ones will be the Vertical Tiki Taka. For difficult away games, you can opt for a fluid counter-attacking tactic which will help the team maintain its shape while defending.
A 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 will be the best formations for Man Utd, with the current squad of players available at your disposal. However, you can switch to a 3-5-1-1 or a 3-4-3 if you feel the need to shore up your defence.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows;
Squad, Formation and Tactical Style
There are quite a few tactical setups you could deploy with Man Utd; however, the best-suited ones will be the Vertical Tiki Taka. For difficult away games, you can opt for a fluid counter-attacking tactic which will help the team maintain its shape while defending.
A 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 will be the best formations for Man Utd, with the current squad of players available at your disposal. However, you can switch to a 3-5-1-1 or a 3-4-3 if you feel the need to shore up your defence.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows;
David De Gea as a sweeper keeper.
Diogo Dalot & Tyler Malacia as the 2 wingbacks.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane as Ball playing central defenders.
Casemiro as the ball-winning midfielder with defence duty & Christian Eriksen as a deep-lying playmaker on support duty.
Bruno Fernandes as an attacking midfielder in a more advanced role.
Jadon Sancho & Antony as the 2 wide players, with both operating as Inside Forwards.
Cristiano Ronaldo as an advanced forward or a poacher up front.
There are a few decent options in the likes of Mctominay, Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who can make an impact from the bench.
The veteran defensive midfielder is a new signing at Man Utd and offers the club some much needed solidity in midfield.
Jadon Sancho
Despite a disappointing first season with Utd, Jadon Sancho still is a quality option from the left side of the pitch. Under the right tactics, his trickery and guile can be critical in breaking down tough defences.
Raphael Varane
The experienced centre-back is also one of the best in the business and is a serial winner. His organization of defence will be crucial for Man United.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno arguably has been Man United’s best signing in recent years. His contributions in the form of goals and assist will be second to none, and he can form an able partnership with Ronaldo under the right tactics.
There are a few exciting young prospects in the ranks or on loan who have the
potential to be some of the best players in the league. A few examples are,
Hannibal
The 19-year-old is currently on loan at Birmingham and can be a key player for Man United in midfield in the future years.
Isak Hansen-Aaroen
Another talented midfielder in the Man Utd U21’s Hansen Aaroen can be developed into an elite playmaker who can unlock many defences.
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· There are a lot of reserve/backup players who are on high wages, which could disrupt squad harmony.
· There is growing discontent in the dressing room, with game time becoming a major factor for several players who have not performed to their ability for several years.
The following players will add quality to the United squad and will help take the team to the next level.
· Cody Gakpo
· Youri Tielemans
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Donny Van De Beek
· Fred
Weaknesses
· There are a lot of reserve/backup players who are on high wages, which could disrupt squad harmony.
· There is growing discontent in the dressing room, with game time becoming a major factor for several players who have not performed to their ability for several years.
Potential Transfers (in)
The following players will add quality to the United squad and will help take the team to the next level.
· Cody Gakpo
· Youri Tielemans
Potential Transfers (Out)
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Donny Van De Beek
· Fred
Summary
Man Utd are a legendary club who may have lost direction in the recent years.
Can you succeed in becoming a legend like the great Sir Alex Ferguson, or will
you go down trying like the others? An interesting challenge indeed.
