Best Man United XI: No room for Sesko & Martinez in 3-4-3 after mid-season verdict

Manchester United reached the mid-season checkpoint with a sense of frustration after a disappointing draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers just before the turn of the year.

The Red Devils currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, a notable step forward compared to their position at the end of the 2024–25 campaign.

However, they could currently be in the top three if not for some truly embarrassing performances.

United remain firmly in the hunt for European qualification, but there is little margin for error if they are to get there.

After 19 games, United head coach Ruben Amorim has a clear idea of his best XI.

Formation: 3-4-3

Goalkeeper

Senne Lammens

Two clean sheets in 12 games is not a great tally.

Taking one step at a time, his commanding authority at set-pieces and key saves against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth make him undroppable between the sticks.

Defence

Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw

Matthijs de Ligt was ever-present in the league before a back injury sidelined him, and his absence has been keenly felt in the back three.

Ayden Heaven has started five consecutive games and deserves to take the central centre-back spot in this line-up.

Luke Shaw is the only United player to have started every league game. Despite Lisandro Martinez making his return, Amorim has continued to trust the Englishman.

Martinez will undoubtedly be a part of United’s best XI by the end of this season.

Wing-backs

Amad Diallo, Diogo Dalot

Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot are clearly the best wing-back pairing available to Amorim.

Diallo’s natural instinct to push high and attack gives United thrust on the right, while Dalot’s more conservative positioning offers defensive stability.

They have three goals and five assists to their name.

Midfield

Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes

Possibly the easiest choice.

Fernandes received a 9/10 player rating in our mid-season analysis and is once again one of the best players in the league this season.

His 12 goal contributions show he has been a revelation in a deeper midfield role.

Casemiro has used his experience to great effect and has also chipped in four crucial goals, more than the two wing-backs above combined.

Attack

Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount

Bryan Mbeumo has been United’s most reliable scorer this season, leading the charts with six goals.

His directness, work rate and creativity have represented a clear upgrade in United’s attacking play.

Mason Mount has found the net three times and, despite periodic absences through injury or precaution, has consistently shown why Amorim values his intelligence and movement.

Matheus Cunha gets the nod to lead the line in this XI, edging ahead of Benjamin Sesko, who has made a promising start but is still expected to deliver more.

Cunha has injected personality and fluidity into the front three, though the Brazilian must now turn that influence into a decisive end product in the final third.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .