Ferguson Should Take a Page Out of Carlo Ancelloti's Book

Lately, Ferguson has shown an increasing inclination towards fielding the 4-5-1 formation in games versus the stronger teams, and, now—after yesterday's match versus West Ham—even against some of the weaker opposition.

And there ought to be no complaints from the fans as United have kept on winning with this formation, such as against Portsmouth the week before and West Ham yesterday.

However, one can feel how United have not yet switched into top gear, having yet to play a truly dominant match in which they've absolutely annihilated a team.

Although the 4-5-1 has United winning games, it does not seem to work all that well versus some of the stronger opposition, such as Arsenal and Chelsea, during which United struggle when going forward and keeping possession in attacks (due to Wayne Rooney's isolation).

Rooney is always a bit on the outside of these games.

The lone role doesn't really suit him, and he plays best when playing off of a center forward.

When isolated up top (as he is in the 4-5-1), he gets really frustrated with not having a partner and having bad service.

The only solution to this dilemma is that United play with two men up front, namely Berbatov and Rooney.

However, that means sacrificing one of the midfield five, and, even after yesterday's performance, that still means Paul Scholes has to lose his spot on the team.

He is good enough to play versus the the weaker teams.

However, he just doesn't cut it at the top anymore, and now he has come out and said so himself.

Nonetheless, he can still play a large role at United, if Ferguson were to switch formations.

In reality, United, playing with four midfielders, does not have to condemn them to playing with an orthodox 4-4-2.

Rather, they could take a page out of Carlo Ancelloti's book and go with the 4-4-2 diamond.

In such a scenario, the first team sheet would look much like this:

-----------------------Van der Sar----------------------
----O'shea-------Ferdinand------Vidic--------Evra------
--------------Carrick/Hargreaves/Fletcher---------------
-Valencia----------------------------------------Giggs-
-----------------Anderson/Scholes---------------------
--------------Berbatov--------Rooney------------------

This formation is, no doubt, taking a gamble...it is largely banking on how well Anderson can play in his natural CAM role, now that he has been playing as a CM for so long.

But, let's face it, Ferguson's attempt to convert him from a CAM to a CM is not really working too well.

Also, I think Scholes could do well there because of his great passing ability, regardless of his physical capabilities.

He and Anderson could be alternated, depending on what kind of team United is facing.

If it is a physical side with which Scholes can't cope, then you play Anderson; if Anderson is playing poorly, then Scholes comes in.

And if Manchester United get Owen Hargreaves back up and playing as well as he used to, he would do great in his CDM position. 

Or, perhaps, Carrick could dictate play from the back, or Fletcher could act as the midfield destroyer, breaking up any forays into United's half.

With the 4-4-2 diamond, the forwards would never be isolated up top, like they were that day at Anfield.

This formation would stabilize the as-of-now uncertain back line with a DMF providing extra cover, maximize the use of the wings, and would better link Berbatov and Rooney with the rest of the team through a CAM.

This opens up a myriad of attacking possibilities, as opposing teams wouldn't know where exactly to concentrate in terms of defence.

If you try to bottle up the wings, you leave the center exposed for the CAM and strikers to take advantage of.

If you concentrate on blocking attacks through the center, then you leave the wings exposed.

In essence, this formation could very quickly turn into a 4-1-5 and would be especially deadly on the counter.

In short, it is a nightmare to defend against when fielded properly.

Manchester United will continue to win games playing the way they do now.

However, in the latter stages of the Champions League, when United come into contact with some of the toughest opposition on the face of the planet, they're going to need something different.

And, so, on days when the orthodox 4-4-2 isn't working and the 4-5-1 isn't making things any easier, I think the next logical step for United would be to try the 4-4-2 diamond.