Mourinho’s Beasts – Manchester United XI Featuring Players Only Over 6ft In Height
The Premier League is well known for its physicality and robust nature. There have been instances when a football match in England has been compared to a rugby game, because of the physical bullying that goes on.
Stoke City, in the Tony Pulis era, were regarded as one of the most physical teams in the English top division. But next season, Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United could very well be branded the big bullies of England. The Red Devils already had a physically imposing squad, but with the latest additions of Victor Lindelof and Romelu Lukaku, they have added further bulk to it.
Jose has shown previously that he isn’t the one to shy away from physically bullying his opponents if it gets his team three points and if we wants to employ similar tactics, he certainly has the players at his disposal to do just that.
Here is the best Manchester United possible playing XI, only featuring players above 6ft in height.
Formation: 4-3-3
Manager: Jose Mourinho
David De Gea (GK)
The United No.1 stands at 6ft 2in and is the shortest among the goalkeepers at United, with Sergio Romero and Joel Pereira being taller than him. However, he is by far the best in the squad and one of the best in the world.
Matteo Darmian (RB)
Antonio Valencia misses out from this line-up, standing at 5ft 10in, leaving the spot for Matteo Darmian who is just a little over 6ft tall.
Eric Bailly (CB)
Last season’s best defender for the Red Devils is close to 6ft 2in and displayed his strength and physicality on a number of occasions last season.
Victor Lindelof (CB)
The summer signing is another tall and strong centre-half with physical attributes that can be imposing to a striker. He too is similar in stature to Bailly, and despite Chris Smalling’s superior height, it is Lindelof who makes the cut.
Marcos Rojo (LB)
The Argentine was playing some of his best football in United colours last season, until a knee injury curtailed his season. He is Mourinho’s tallest option in the left-back position at 6ft 1in, ahead of Luke Shaw and Daley Blind.
Michael Carrick (CM)
The new club captain may not be known for putting his body on the line, but if needed, he can certainly do that. At just a little over 6ft 2in, Carrick has always been and always will be a good presence in the middle.
Paul Pogba (CM)
The third tallest outfield player in the United squad at 6ft 3in, Pogba has shown that he can be a daunting prospect to deal with in the opposition box due to his height and physical strength.
Marouane Fellaini (CM)
The tallest player in the squad, along with Chris Smalling at 6ft 4in, Marouane Fellaini is United’s go-to man when they need a physical advantage against an opposition – case in point the UEFA Europa League final against Ajax.
Marcus Rashford (RW)
The 19-year old is known for his pace and dribbling skills, but he possesses strong physical attributes as well. Standing at 6ft 1in, he makes it to this line-up.
Romelu Lukaku (ST)
A beast with brute force and physical strength, Lukaku has been bullying defenders in the Premier League for a number of years now. Expect more of the same next season, in United colours.
Anthony Martial (LW)
Just like Rashford, the outstanding qualities of Martial are his pace and abilities on the ball. But he is also just about 6ft tall, and possesses the strength needed to impose himself in and around the penalty box.