Strikerless False 4231 // Won the CL with Man Utd

This tactic was inspired by Pep Guardiola Manchester City's tactic against Liverpool on 8th February. Foden started at a false 9 position, linked up the play with Sterling and Mahrez, Gundogan supported from the midfield with goals.

I have created a 4231 based tactics, with SS on the top, IW(a) on both sides and 2 Segundo Volante at the DM position to provide vertical movements. While a roaming playmaker in the middle of the pitch to create clinical passes to unlock the defence.

So here is the formation and roles


The task of the back 4 is just very simple. They don't need to go up on the pitch. They just need to stay back all the times. SS and IWs start at unmarked positions so that they can receive the ball easily. The reason why I used the IWs in the midfield position instead of IWs in the AMLR positions is that IWs in the midfield can defend more solid that AMRC positions. Also, underlap on both sides is used because I want to encourage the wide players to hold up the ball, pass the ball to the Segundo Volante when they arrive from deep. Run at defence is also used because I want the players to run with the ball to create more spaces.



For the set pieces, what you need to do is that you need to put your player with the best aerial ability on the role which is lurking at the nearest post, the player with the second-best aerial ability should be put on the role which is attacking near post, and the third-best player on the role of attack far post.

I have tested this tactic with Man Utd. At the end of the season, we won the Champions League, FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. However, we finished in second place in the Premier league.






Antony Martial is the top scorer in the Premier League. Bruno provided 25 assists for the team.