A huge summer of spending for Manchester United has left them as one of the most popular teams to play with on FIFA 23.
United's squad has plenty of pace, power and crucially several future stars to make them an ideal team for starting a save.
With five-time Champions League winner Casemiro joining former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and FIFA beast Raphael Varane at Old Trafford, the Red Devils may finally have a squad capable of competing - and this is where you come in on FIFA 23 Career Mode.
Starting Lineup and Formation
Manchester United's default formation is a 4-2-3-1 Wide, and you should not be looking to alter this too much to begin with.
You may want to switch to the 4-2-3-1 Narrow variation, as this may suit the majority of FIFA 23 players' playing styles better.
David de Gea lines up in goal, with Tyrell Malacia, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the back four.
Brazilian duo Casemiro and Fred (who is actually decent in FIFA) will operate in the engine room, providing defensive cover in midfield.
England international Jadon Sancho, Portuguese playmaker Bruno Fernandes and summer signing Antony will operate behind the star man, Cristiano Ronaldo.
On the bench go for Tom Heaton, Victor Lindelof, Diogo Dalot, Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
You are likely to be tempted to give Anthony Elanga some minutes to unlock the 20-year-old's brilliant 85 OVR potential.
Tactics and Instructions
We know how much talent this United team is, but they can get stuck in their old habits at times.
Adjusting the tactics can make sure the side is efficient in attack and solid in defence.
All you need to do with the back four is set Tyrell Malacia to "Stay Back While Attacking" as his high attacking work rate could leave him out of position.
You'll want to set the two Brazilian midfield anchors on "Cut Passing Lanes" for the Defensive Behaviour, "Stay Back While Attacking" on their Attacking Support and "Cover Centre" for Defensive Position.
Attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes loves goals, so have him "Get into the Box for Cross" and "Free Roam". For more attacking game plans or against weaker opposition you may feel he can "Stay Forward" for Defensive Support.
Left-winger Jadon Sancho should be set to "Cut Inside" for Chance Creation in order to get shots off with his right foot, whilst the pacey Antony should be on "Get in Behind" and certainly should "Get into the Box for Cross".
Lastly, Cristiano Ronaldo is a versatile forward, and perhaps the only thing you can adjust is for him to "Stay Forward" on his Defensive Support.
Training
Even with the talents of Cristiano Ronaldo, Rpha Varane and Bruno Fernandes, the encouraging thing for United fans is that they still have young players that can improve.
In your training sessions, try to use Jadon Sancho (POT 88), Lisandro Martinez (POT 86), Amad Diallo (POT 85), Anthony Elanga (POT 85), Marcus Rashford (POT 85) and Tyrell Malacia (POT 85).
On Career Mode you can also adjust players' positioning via training, and in time, you may want to do this with Marcus Rashford so he can become the club's main striker once Ronaldo has moved on.
The Transfer Market
Starting transfer budget: £204.57 million
Who should go
Having added real quality to the squad over the summer, there's now plenty of room for stripping the dead wood in Manchester United's dressing room.
As many Man Utd fans would agree, it's time to let go of club captain Harry Maguire. The 29-year-old's FIFA 23 card is somehow even worse than his real-life ability.
Selling the captain will free up around £23 million and £110,000 a week on the wage bill.
Phil Jones is somehow still at the club, and the former England international can collect you £2.5 million and free up £63,000 a week in wages.
Dutch midfielder Donny van de Beek could also be sold and would provide £24 million in value to add to your transfer budget.
United fans may have become tired of Anthony Martial, especially with the arrival of new forward Antony - but look to keep the Frenchman for one season at least, so see if he can still improve.
You may want to cut your losses on the likes of Brandon Williams, Axel Tuanzebe, Tahith Chong and Teden Mengi as these youngsters all have a potential of below 80 OVR.
Loans
United have ample depth, meaning there are a number of youngsters who can be sent out on loan.
You should look to offer Ivorian winger Amad Diallo (POT 85) regular minutes elsewhere in order to develop properly.
Hannibal Mejbri (POT 84), Shola Shoretire (POT 83) and Facundo Pellistri (POT 83) and Ethan Laird (POT 82) can all be loaned out to see if they can catch up with the first team.
Who to Sign
New transfer budget: £260 million
Top Class Right Back
The additions of Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia make Manchester United's new-look defensive unit much more solid.
However, Aaron Wan-Bissaka does not quite cut the mustard and the Red Devils do not have an outstanding right-back option at the club.
Chelsea right-back Reece James should be your number one target, with an incredible card and the potential to grow into an 88 OVR player in FIFA 23.
The Englishman won't come cheap, however, with £70 million perhaps required to sign him, but his wages of £120,000 a week are respectable.
Alternative options
Player | Age | Club | Cost | Wage | OVR | POT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Achraf Hakimi | 23 | PSG | £50m | £90k | 84 | 87 |
Marcos Llorente | 27 | Atletico Madrid | £45m | £80k | 84 | 85 |
Moussair Mazraoui | 24 | Bayern Munich | £40m | £60k | 82 | 86 |
Pedro Porro | 22 | Sporting | £35m | £15k | 81 | 86 |
Jeremie Frimpong | 21 | Bayer Leverkusen | £30m | £38k | 80 | 86 |
Promising Striker
With Cristiano Ronaldo set to leave the club within the next two seasons, you may want to get someone in who can develop into the main striker in the years to come.
Fellow Portuguese starlet Joao Felix should be your number one target. The versatile forward can provide cover on both wings, in the number 10 position and up front.
The 22-year-old has an 84 OVR and can grow to a potential of 90.
Alternative options
Player | Age | Club | Cost | Wage | OVR | POT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lautaro Martinez | 24 | Inter Milan | £100m | £110k | 86 | 90 |
Christopher Nkunku | 24 | RB Leipzig | £90m | £90k | 86 | 89 |
Victor Osimhen | 23 | Napoli | £55m | £70k | 83 | 89 |
Ferran Torres | 22 | Barcelona | £50m | £150k | 82 | 88 |
Matheus Cunha | 23 | Atletico Madrid | £40m | £60k | 81 | 86 |
Board Expectations
After a significant summer, the Manchester United board wants results - and you may feel the heat in your first season in charge.
Domestic Success is critical, for which you will need to win either the Premier League or the FA Cup.
Brand Exposure is also vital, so you'll need to sign players from certain areas which could potentially hamper your transfer plans.
Youth Development is the third critical area, for which you will need to sign three players under the age of 20, with a higher potential than the current average of players in their position.
Continental Success still has high importance, and you will be asked to win the Europa League title.
Lastly, your Financial objective has a very low importance.