Football Manager 2022 has finally arrived, meaning you can jump in NOW and start fielding your best team for the big game.
With the new game available to play right now, we've discovered some of the best formations to use in order to guarantee success.
READ - Football Manager 2022 Best Tactics
FM22 Best Formations
Picking your team is always difficult, and finding the right formation can be just as hard.
Below you'll find six of the best options that we've used so far, with each formation offering something different.
Whether you go with our suggestions or make slight changes, these set-ups are certain to guarantee success in Football Manager 2022.
3-4-3
Utilising the creative capabilities of your wide players will once again be a key feature in Football Manager 2022.
Not only does the 3-4-3 formation allow you to deploy three attackers, it also offers a good balance in both attacking and defensive phases.
We would recommend using this formation with a high engagement line but also a deep defensive line, as long balls over the top can sometimes evade your centre-backs.
4-2-3-1 Wide
The chosen formation for many modern managers, the 4-2-3-1 offers a perfect balance across the pitch and allows you to deploy a double offensive on the wings.
The two central players in this formation are arguably the most important, providing the anchors to a dangerous attack.
Using overlapping full-backs and having a talented striker up top is certain to allow this formation to shine in Football Manager 2022.
4-3-3 DM Narrow
Combining the best elements of the previous two formations, the 4-3-3 offers you the chance to play with 3 dangerous attackers, supported by a progressive midfield.
Whilst you won't want your full-backs overlapping as much as you might in a 4-2-3-1, you'll need to make sure they have the creative capabilities to supply your forward line.
It's a high-risk set-up with big rewards, and it's set to be one of the most used in Football Manager 2022.
5-4-1 WB
A more unconventional - yet equally effective - formation we discovered was an innovative take on the 5-4-1.
Best deployed when coming up against strong opposition, this formation encourages a more cautious approach.
However, this formation can also be used to create chances, with the wing-backs combining with the midfielders to create chances on the counter for the lone striker.
5-2-3 WB Wide
Another formation that encourages wing play, the 5-2-3 is designed to penetrate the flanks and counter-act any opposition counter-attacks.
By encouraging your two-man midfield to sit deeper, as well as encouraging your full-backs to bomb forward, you're certain to create an overload that can pull defenders out of position.
With your lone striker leading the line, you'll need to recruit someone with good vision and composure, hoping they can invite your offensive wide players into the game.
4-2-4
Whilst we don't wholeheartedly recommend taking tactical lessons from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it's hard to deny that this formation doesn't look appealing to managers with a wealth of attacking talent.
The key to success with this setup is to keep your midfielders deep and ensure your wingers have the work ethic to track back and help the defence.
There's plenty of pit-falls in this formation - especially on the counter - but deploying an effective balance in the 4-2-4 could lead to big rewards in Football Manager 2022.
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