Wayne Rooney is handed a reprieve as Marcus Rashford drops to the United bench. David Moyes’ decision to opt for 4-4-2 earns Sunderland a first win of the season, though Bob Bradley ditches a similar formation at the break as Swansea City are beaten by United.
After assessing the first ten teams yesterday, we now cast an eye over the remaining half for lessons learned in Gameweek 11..
Manchester United
Starting XI: De Gea; Young, Jones, Rojo, Darmian; Carrick, Fellaini, Pogba (Fosu-Mensah 90); Mata (Lingard 82), Rooney (Schneiderlin 89), Ibrahimovic.
- Jose Mourinho made five changes from the side that drew 0-0 against Burnley for the trip to south Wales. This meant that Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney came in for Daley Blind, Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and the suspended Ander Herrera.
- Those changes saw Mourinho opt for a 4-1-4-1 formation at the Liberty Stadium, with Carrick stationed in the defensive midfield role. Juan Mata (right) and Rooney (left) started out wide, with Paul Pogba and Fellaini in central midfield. In defence, Young and Darmian were stationed at right-back and left-back respectively, allowing Jones and Marcos Rojo to form the central defensive partnership.
- With the match won, Mourinho introduced Lingard, Morgan Schneiderlin and Timothy Fosu-Mensah late on, as Mata, Rooney and Pogba made way.
- Although United cruised to victory against Swansea City, a much sterner test awaits at home to Arsenal after the international break. Chris Smalling (foot) and Shaw (leg) could push for recalls in defence, though Mourinho was somewhat critical of the pair post-match. Herrera will be back from suspension, offering an alternative to both Carrick and Fellaini. In the wide positions, Rashford, Martial and Lingard may come back into contention, though with Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season, one of Rooney, Rashford or Martial look set to fill in as the lone striker.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Lone Striker
Middlesbrough
Starting XI: Valdes; Barragan, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; De Roon, Clayton; Traore (Stuani 90), Forshaw, Downing (Fischer 78); Negredo.
- Aitor Karanka made one change from the side that beat Bournemouth 2-0 for the trip to the Etihad, with Marten de Roon coming in for the suspended Gaston Ramirez.
- De Roon started alongside Adam Forshaw in central midfield, in a 4-1-4-1 formation. Adama Traore (right) and Stewart Downing (left) operated out wide, while Adam Clayton was stationed in the defensive midfield role.
- Karanka made just two late substitutions, as Viktor Fischer provided some fresh legs in place of Downing for the final 12 minutes. Cristhian Stuani did likewise on the opposite flank, coming on for Traore.
- With ‘Boro set to host Chelsea after the international break, Karanka may adopt the same formation, resisting the temptation to go for his favoured 4-2-3-1. Clayton, Forshaw and De Roon could continue in the middle, then, with the returning Ramirez more likely to threaten Downing’s role on the left. Otherwise, there are few selection issues for Karanka to ponder.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Attacking Midfield
Southampton
Starting XI: Forster; Yoshida, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Clasie (Ward-Prowse 79), Romeu; Tadic (Boufal 66), Davis, Redmond (Rodriguez 79); Austin.
- Claude Puel made one adjustment for the trip to the KCOM Stadium, with Maya Yoshida coming in for Cuco Martina.
- Yoshida started at right-back for Saints, while Puel resisted the temptation to hand a first Premier League start to Sofiane Boufal. This meant that Dusan Tadic, Nathan Redmond and Charlie Austin again formed the front three.
- Boufal was the first player to be introduced off the bench, though, coming on in place of Tadic after 66 minutes. The new boy played on the left wing, with Austin moving into the central striker role, and Redmond to the right. Then, with 11 minutes remaining, James Ward-Prowse and Jay Rodriguez were brought on for Jordy Clasie and Redmond in straight swaps.
- After conceding another two goals on Sunday, Puel will be desperate to have Cedric Soares (ankle) back to face Liverpool after the international break. The fact Yoshida was used at right-back on the weekend suggests Puel doesn’t have too much faith in Martina as an option. With over a week to further improve his fitness levels, Boufal may come into contention for a start against Liverpool, with Tadic and Redmond’s places appearing the most at risk.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Right-Back, Flanks
Stoke City
Starting XI: Grant, Bardsley, Shawcross, Martins Indi, Pieters; Whelan (Bojan 71), Adam; Walters, Allen, Ramadan Sobhi (Diouf 84); Bony (Crouch 71).
- Mark Hughes was forced into making two changes from the side that beat Swansea City 3-1 for the trip to the London Stadium. Ramadan Sobhi replaced the suspended Marko Arnautovic, while Jon Walters earned a recall in for the injured Xherdan Shaqiri.
- Sobhi and Walters played on the left and right respectively of the attacking midfield trio in the 4-2-3-1 formation favoured by Hughes.
- Shortly after going a goal behind, Hughes turned to Bojan and Peter Crouch off the bench, with Glenn Whelan and Wilfried Bony making way. Crouch took over as the lone striker, while Bojan operated in the No 10 role, leaving Joe Allen and Charlie Adam in central midfield. Mame Biram Diouf was introduced late on in place of Sobhi in a straight swap.
- Arnautovic will return for the home clash against Bournemouth after serving his one-match suspension, while Shaqiri (hamstring) should have a good chance of being fit following the break. Geoff Cameron is another who should have enough time to recover from a knee injury, and perhaps come back into the side at the expense of Adam in the middle of the park. Bojan staked a claim for a starting spot with his goal off the bench, but it remains unlikely he’ll force his way back in just yet.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks
Sunderland
Starting XI: Pickford; Jones, Kone, Djilobodji, van Aanholt; Pienaar, McNair (Denayer 72), Ndong, Watmore (Love 90); Anichebe, Defoe (Gooch 90).
- Sunderland boss David Moyes made three alterations for the trip to Bournemouth, with Papy Djilobodji earning a recall in place of the injured John O’Shea, while Paddy McNair and Victor Anichebe came in for Jack Rodwell and Wahbi Khazri.
- Anichebe’s inclusion saw Moyes opt for a 4-4-2 at the Vitality Stadium, with the powerful forward partnering Jermain Defoe up front. Duncan Watmore (right) and Steven Pienaar (left) started out wide, with McNair joining Didier Ndong in central midfield. Djilobodji partnered Lamine Kone in central defence.
- Not long after Pienaar was sent off after receiving his second yellow card, Moyes decided to introduce Jason Denayer in place of McNair. The Belgian joined Kone and Djilobodji in central defence, with Sunderland moving to something akin to a 5-3-1 formation, with Anichebe moving to the left side of midfield after Defoe had given them the lead from the penalty spot. Donald Love and Lynden Gooch made appearances during stoppage time as Sunderland held on for the 2-1 victory.
- After finally finding the winning formula, Moyes will likely stick with a similar side for the home clash against Hull City after the international break. He will be without the suspended Pienaar, though, so one of Khazri, Gooch or Adnan Januzaj may be options to replace the South African, with Patrick van Aanholt also capable of playing in a more advanced role on the left. If the likes of Jan Kirchhoff (hamstring) and Lee Cattermole (back) are available as they continue to build up their match fitness, they may push McNair for a starting berth in central midfield. Anichebe did pick up a rib injury on Saturday, but it’s likely he’ll be fit to face the Tigers.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Left Wing
Swansea City
Starting XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Van der Hoorn, Mawson, Kingsley; Routledge (Barrow 46), Britton (Fer 70), Ki Sung-yeung, Sigurdsson; Borja Baston, Llorente (Montero 46).
- Bob Bradley made four alterations for the home clash against Manchester United, with Angel Rangel, Stephen Kingsley, Leon Britton and Borja Baston earning recalls in place of Kyle Naughton, Neil Taylor, Leroy Fer and Modou Barrow.
- Those changes saw Bradley switch from the 4-2-3-1 used in the 3-1 defeat to Stoke City to a 4-4-2, with Borja partnering Fernando Llorente in attack. Gylfi Sigurdsson was forced to play on the left side of midfield, with Wayne Routledge on the opposite flank. Ki Sung-yeung partnered Britton in central midfield, while Rangel and Kingsley slotted in at right-back and left-back respectively.
- But following a dreadful first-half display which saw the home side head into the break 3-0 down, Bradley made a double substitution, with the fit-again Jefferson Montero and Barrow replacing Routledge and Llorente. Those changes saw the Swans switch back to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation, with Montero (left), Sigurdsson (No 10) and Barrow (right) forming the attacking midfield trio behind lone striker Borja. The tiring Britton was replaced by Fer in central midfield for the final 20 minutes.
- Given the 4-4-2 was something of a disaster, Bradley will likely revert back to 4-2-3-1 for the trip to Goodison Park after the international break. Montero and one of Routledge or Barrow should start out wide, with either Borja or Llorente operating as the lone striker. He could yet revisit using Sigurdsson as a “false nine” though if he looks to go with a more defensive 4-3-3 against Everton. Fer may challenge Britton for a starting spot in midfield, while Naughton and Amat in particular could push for recalls in place of Rangel and either Mike van der Hoorn or Alfie Mawson. Taylor is another who may come back into the reckoning at left-back in place of Kingsley.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, Central Midfield, Flanks, Lone Striker
Tottenham Hotspur
Starting XI: Lloris; Dier, Wimmer, Vertonghen; Walker (Trippier 80), Wanyama, Dembele, Rose; Eriksen; Son Heung-min (Winks 89), Kane (Janssen 73).
- Mauricio Pochettino made two changes for the short trip to the Emirates, with Kevin Wimmer and the fit-again Harry Kane starting in place of the injured Dele Alli and Vincent Janssen.
- Those changes saw the Argentine opt for a different formation, deciding upon a 3-4-1-2 system. Wimmer joined Eric Dier and Jan Vertonghen in a three-man backline, with Kyle Walker and Danny Rose used in the wing-back positions. Victor Wanyama and Mousa Dembele started in central midfield, with Christian Eriksen utilised in the No 10 role behind Kane and Son Heung-min.
- Pochettino’s first substitution saw Janssen take over from a tiring Kane in a straight swap for the final 17 minutes. Then, after suffering a knock, Walker had to be withdrawn with 10 minutes left, with Kieran Trippier taking his place in a straight swap. Harry Winks entered the fray in place of Son in a defensive move late on to help pack the midfield, and try to hold on for a point.
- While the 3-4-1-2 worked very well on Sunday, it remains unlikely Pochettino will use that system once Toby Alderweireld (knee) returns to full fitness. The Belgian may be available after the international break for the London derby against West Ham United, so we may see Spurs revert to the more familiar 4-2-3-1 system. Either Dier or Wanyama would partner Dembele at the base of midfield in that formation, with Eriksen set to continue in the No 10 role given that Alli is unlikely to be fit to face the Hammers. Erik Lamela should have more chance of recovering from his hip problem, while Moussa Sissoko will return from suspension, so one of those two may start on the right, with Son perhaps stationed on the left, leaving Kane as the lone striker.
Current Status: Unsettled
Risk Areas: Defence, Flanks
Watford
Starting XI: Gomes (Pantilimon 33): Janmaat, Kaboul, Britos, Holebas; Amrabat, Behrami (Watson 60), Capoue, Pereyra; Igalho, Deeney.
- Walter Mazzarri was forced into making one change for the trip to Anfield, with Daryl Janmaat coming in for the injured Sebastian Prodl.
- Watford’s shape was more like a 4-4-2 formation, with Janmaat slotting alongside Younes Kaboul, Miguel Britos and Jose Holebas. Nordin Amrabat continued as the right, with Roberto Pereyra on the opposite flank.
- Mazzarri was forced into making a change during the first half, after Heurelho Gomes suffered a knee injury. He was replaced by Costel Pantilimon in goal for the Hornets. The only other substitution made by Mazzarri saw Ben Watson take over from Valon Behrami in central midfield for the final half hour.
- After shipping six goals at Anfield, Mazzarri will be desperate to have Prodl available for the home clash against Leicester City, although the defender faces a race against time to recover from a groin injury. If the Austrian is passed fit, Janmaat could be in line to replace Amrabat at right wing-back in a 3-5-2, although Mazzarri does have an issue to address on the left, with Jose Holebas suspended for the Foxes clash after picking up his fifth booking of the season. Amrabat or Juan Zuniga may fill in for Holebas, then, with Kenedy the other option providing he can recover from a knock. Craig Cathcart would be another option in defence if he can recover from a groin issue. Isaac Success could provide an alternative to Odion Ighalo in attack providing he can recover from a foot injury in time.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Wing-Backs
West Bromwich Albion
Starting XI: Foster; Dawson, Evans, McAuley, Nyom; Yacob; Phillips (Gardner 83), Fletcher, Morrison (Robson-Kanu 90), Brunt; Rondon.
- Tony Pulis made three alterations from the side that lost 4-0 to Man City for the trip to the King Power Stadium. Claudio Yacob returned from suspension to replace Jonas Olsson, Matt Phillips earned a recall in place of the injured Nacer Chadli and James Morrison came in for the suspended James McClean.
- Yacob returned to partner Darren Fletcher in the double-pivot of a 4-2-3-1, allowing Jonny Evans to revert to centre-back alongside Gareth McAuley. Morrison was handed a central support role, with Brunt (right) and Phillips (left) stationed out wide for the Baggies behind lone striker Salomon Rondon.
- Such was the level of performance from his side, Pulis only made two substitutions late on, with Craig Gardner replacing Phillips, while Hal Robson-Kanu got a brief run-out in place of Morrison.
- While the Baggies performed impressively on Sunday, Pulis will be desperate to have Chadli back from his knee injury in time to face Burley after the international break. The Belgian could either return in the “No 10” role or out wide, whilst McClean will also be pushing for the spot on the left flank. Rondon will have to be checked given he’ll now fly off to represent Peru over the international break, but with West Brom playing on Monday night in Gameweek 12, he should have enough time to fully recover and be able to start against the Clarets.
Current Status: Settled
Risk Areas: Central Midfield, Flanks
West Ham United
Starting XI: Adrian; Kouyate, Collins, Ogbonna; Antonio, Noble, Obiang (Feghouli 89), Cresswell, Lanzini (Fernandes 62), Ayew (Fletcher 62) Payet.
- Slaven Bilic made two changes for the home encounter against Stoke City, with James Collins drafted in for the suspended Winston Reid, while Andre Ayew replaced Edimilson Fernandes.
- Ayew’s inclusion as the central striker in the 3-4-2-1 formation meant Michail Antonio switched to right wing-back for the Hammers. Collins joined Angelo Ogbonna and Cheikhou Kouyate in the three-man backline.
- With the match goalless, Bilic opted to make a double substitution just after the hour mark, as Fernandes and Ashley Fletcher came on in place of Manuel Lanzini and Ayew. Those changes saw Antonio move forward to the right in what was more of a front three, with Fletcher playing as the central striker. Fernandes played in the familiar position of right wing-back. As a final roll of the dice in search of a late winner, Bilic sent on Sofiane Feghouli for Pedro Obiang, leaving only Mark Noble as a deep-lying midfielder.
- With Reid available to face Tottenham Hotspur after serving his one-match ban, he’s likely to return to the starting XI in place of Collins if he can shake off a hamstring injury. The Welshman could retain his place, then, particuarly if Cheikhou Kouyate is shifted out of defence and into central midfield to cover for the suspended Mark Noble. Bilic will probably continue with Ayew as the central striker, but Fletcher and Antonio are other options in that position, while Andy Carroll (knee) should be nearing a first-team return.
Current Status: Fairly Settled
Risk Areas: Central Defence, Central Midfield, Lone Striker
