Manchester United Football Formation

Lineup (3-5-2)

I've always liked the idea of a 3-5-2 where you had two defensive midfielders to add cover at the back instead of two wingers/wing-backs. The CBs can drift out wide to prevent attacks from the wing, and when they're out of position, the DM becomes a CB. This formation lacks overlapping runs on the wings, definitely the major weakness, but if played properly, it can more or less function like a 4-2-3-1 with a second striker instead of defender. Much like a 4-2-3-1 is sometimes deployed as more of a 6-3-1, this formation could be construed as a 5-3-2 (without wingbacks), or even a 5-5 (five defenders, five attackers). I've used it in FIFA both as a starting formation and as a last ditch effort to score formation, and both have worked well.

I chose United because they're my favorite team, not because this is particularly suited to them. Optimally, you'd rather have designated DMs or CBs in midfield over Carrick or Scholes, but having one playmaker lying deep is always a good idea, and I've had it work more often than not regardless of the team used