Manchester United: Picking the Formation to Best Utilize Paul Scholes

Paul Scholes has always seemed to me a lonely figure. Why? Every time I looked, he was always alone in the middle of the park.  

For the past two decades, the "Ginger Magician" has created more space than a Dutch engineer. Whether it be a drop of the proverbial shoulder or the deft drag-back, Scholes always knew how to get that extra yard of room to maneuver. 

It seemed almost unfair to the opposition. When they packed the midfield, he dropped off into the defence. When they pressed him, he played a simple but swift wall-pass. When they kicked him, he kicked back, with venom.

They couldn't win either way. 

Paul Scholes' return to the Manchester United lineup against Bolton on Saturday was enchanting. He dropped the proverbial shoulder, he employed his graceful drag-back once again and he even scored with an "instinctive finish" after a stereotypical run into the box.

Unfortunately, Scholes is now nearly 40 years old. Ferguson will have to be wary about where and how he plays the man from Salford. 

Formation to Best Utilize Paul Scholes

Since Carlos Queiroz's term as assistant manager, Manchester United have had two stock formations—a 4-4-2 and a 4-3-3.

Together with the style of play seen under Queiroz, the 4-3-3 has been nonexistent this season. Only twice has it been used, both times in the city of Liverpool. At Anfield and Goodison Park, United were toothless, creating very little chances. 

Gone be the days when Ronaldo was up one wing and Rooney was up the other, while Tevez played through the middle.

But could the 4-3-3 make a return coinciding with the return of Paul Scholes? It should, for the big games. 

Should Scholes play in the important games, like City, Liverpool and Chelsea, Ferguson would be best to play him in a midfield three. Carrick could play a deep, regista role, while the energetic Anderson or Cleverley could play alongside Scholes.

The 4-4-3 has the defensive foil for Scholes, but it also suits his attacking play. There is an abundance of passing triangles, and Rooney in a "False 9" role has always brought a balance to the Red Devils' side.

If the opposition then drops deeper, Ferguson has the option to swap Carrick and Scholes and have the midfield wizard become the regista and the quarterback of the team. He will just hold his position and keep the play flowing.

Scholes will most likely, however, play in "easier" games. The 4-4-2 is perfect in this situation. When a team has a player who can play in between the lines like Rooney, the two deep midfielders draw out the opposition midfield, thus creating space for "Wazza." Scholes then has the guile to use this to the fullest.

Also, when United play in a 4-4-2, the full-backs essentially become fifth and sixth midfielders. This eliminates the fear of isolation with Scholes in the defensive phase.

Scholes is one of the great natural footballers to come out of England. He never needed a formation to function. 

It is now evident, however, that Scholes needs a particular formation that will be suitable to the footballing situation put in front of him.

Th 4-3-3 will provide him with the best possible protection, while the 4-4-2 will open up the field.

What can be promised from Scholes' end is quality—bundles and bundles of quality.