Manchester United Formation 2011

Manchester United Football Formation

Creation DateAugust 21, 2011

Lineup (5-3-2)

Berbatov · Rooney · Cleverley · Fletcher · Anderson · Rafael · Evra · Ferdinand · Smalling · Vidic · De Gea

Beating Barca
Obviously, it's about more than formations but, not playing an out and out striker are are used to dropping back into midfield (Unlike Hernandez, Macheda, Owen etc) would help.
Anderson and Fletcher to (attempt to) break up play in the middle, leaving Cleverley free to either join in or get forward.
Vidic laying a little deeper as the last man purely because he's the ' 'ave it' type of defender and not unused to last ditch tackles. Smalling and Ferdinand to be used to try and break up attacks smartly without giving away set pieces.
The only downside that I could see is counter counter-attacks.Rafael and Evra going up the wings, with Berba & Rooney in support, which would leave Cleverley and Ando further up the pitch, exposing the three defenders.
Needs revising but formationally, it works.
Also, triangles. Triangles everywhere. Ideally a 12th man would help but ho hum.