When we talk about winning on Football Manager, tactics or formations usually come up in the conversation.
No matter the way in which you play, formations are vital in whether your team is a success or a failure. This is the same in real life and Football Manager. Here are some of our favourite real-life formations that we have used on FM over the years:
4-4-2
If anybody has seen the now classic Mike Bassett: England Manager film, you will know the scene where the titular character says in a press conference, ‘Today, we will be playing a 4-4-F@@king-2’ after questions marks over his tactics.
The reason behind the quote is that the formation is associated primarily with old-school English football. It has died out slightly in recent years but is still employed by some bosses who are looking for balance in their team.
And that is what it gives you. Many 4-4-2’s can be slightly rigid, but they provide solid foundations for teams that want to keep it tight and still have enough players up the business end of the pitch.
The advantage of this formation is that your team should always have two men in advanced attacking positions.
The biggest con is that you can get overrun in midfield by teams who play three central midfielders or two central midfielders and a number ten.
4-2-3-1
This is one of the most popular formations in real life and is almost a cheat code on FM. If you can get the formula of roles in the midfield and attacking midfield areas right, you tend to be successful.
It’s hard to criticise anybody for using the formation. In fact, it is the one I use a lot of the time, although I prefer the 4-1-1-3-1 to allow for a more advanced central midfielder rather than two defensive midfielders playing in a double pivot.
If anybody is a novice FM player, this is the formation I recommend for you to start your game with.
It can be a very balanced formation that allows enough defensive cover, especially if you use two defensive midfielders in the two in front of the defence.
However, it also allows the attacking midfielders to provide an attacking threat and give the main forward support.
There can be a variety of ways in which some formations are used. However, the only variation with this formation is if you use two defensive midfielders or push them into a more advanced position.
In my experience, it is better to use at least one of the two midfielders in a deeper role. If both are pushed into more advanced roles, then it can leave the defence exposed, and your team generally concedes far more goals.
5-3-2/3-5-2
This one is an oldy but a goody that’s been around for a long time in real life. The formation can be either a 5-3-2 or a 3-5-2, depending on whether a team is attacking or defending.
In defence, the wide players drop back into a five-man defence, and while attacking, they join in the attack. These players must have excellent stamina, pace and endurance to be able to fulfil this role.
A perfect example of a 5-3-2/3-5-2 that has been successful in recent seasons is Inter Milan under Simone Inzaghi.
The Nerazzurri won the Scudetto in 2021 and 2024, and they got to the final of the Champions League in 2023 using the formation, only to suffer a heart-breaking 1-0 final defeat against Manchester City.
The system means that there are always two forwards, offering a major attacking threat and also an out ball for the defence if they are under pressure.
Inter have preferred a big man/little man partnership in attack using the system, with Argentinian star Lautaro Martinez playing alongside French striker Marcus Thuram this season.
It is not a formation that I have used much in recent versions of FM. However, I know that people have enjoyed success with the system on FM24.
Like most formations, though, a team has to have the right players in order to be successful with the system.
4-3-3
This is another one that has become highly popular in recent years, both in real life and in FM24. Similar to the 4-2-3-1, it is a good starter formation for those looking to learn the game.
It gives a team good defensive foundations while offering a potentially potent threat from the three front players.
For me the critical positions for making this work are the three central midfielders. One is generally in a defensive midfield position, using a variety of different roles.
The two players in front of the defensive midfielder can make or break your formation. If they are attacking players, then they can significantly contribute to the team creating and scoring goals.
However, I generally find that it is best to have one of the two central midfielders on attack duty and the second one on support. This usually gives the team a good balance.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team played this way for years after they initially played with a 4-2-3-1. Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah occupied the front three roles in the 4-4-3 for many years, with the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson playing vital midfield roles.
Which formation should I use on FM?
This is a question that a lot of people have asked me. The answer is there is no definite answer. A lot of the time, you have to use the formation and tactics that best suit the players in your squad.
Over time, you may want to play a particular formation or style. However, that takes time to do, so you have to choose an initial formation that suits your players and then go from there.
What is your favourite formation in real life and on FM?
