If I can remember correctly in the Spain WC final VS Holland they had Xavi, Fab (was replacement for Xabi Alonso) and Inesita out. I think Fab can play along this line replacing Sergio B. I know their defense will be out of line a little bit but if they keep Abidal back instead of joining in on attacks they can succeed.
4-3-3
3 - Alves (RB) (He's also defensive but he is a strong help up front so will keep him in the same spot jumping between defensively and attack.) Puyol, Pique, Abidal (LB) (He usually join in on attack thru left flank but will make him stay back like he played VS Real Madrid in the semi final leg of CL)
3 - Xavi, Fab, Inesta
3 - Messi, Villa, Sanchez
This will of course be a more of an offensive line.
I can also see them playing the line 4-5-1 you spoke of having Mess, Xavi, Fab, Iniesta, Sanchez and Villa being the lone striker or they can switch between Pedro/Messi also.
But no doubt Sneijder will be a big threat and great help with Man U and they will be a promising team this year. Barcelona players are having injury problems they may even over throw them. Sergio B (picked up injury VS Italy), Pique (picked up injury VS Italy) and Puyol (Most likely out) won't be playing the El Clasio and also Xavi picked up a knock reason why he wasn't playing for Spain on Wednesday.
Wenger latest article titles, "Get them out of here NOW! Wenger orders urgent exit of Nasri and Fabregas." He isn't too happy but in return they may sign Juan Mata who I have notice has been playing well for Spain and Valenica, also they may sign Jadson, Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder. I noticed Jadson in the CL match VS Barcelona oh man does this guy have pace and style.
:| Euh, I know Fab entered as replacement for Xavi Alonso and that too, in the extra-time but how can Iniesta be out? He score the winning goal.
Still, while the 4-5-1 you're talking about seems plausible, I don't find that 4-3-3 that good. Agree that in some mere matches, they can go all-on offense for fun but in big matches where obviously the opposing team will play counter, 3 defenders might be suicidal. Also, the fact that your 4-3-3 with Busquetz worked so well was because, despite Alves and Abidal getting offensive at times, Busquets covered them and Messi went a bit more midfield. Thus (they alternated into a 3-5-2. With Fabregas, I don't think it will have been that good. In fact, they could have done this strategy long before, with Messi coming back as offensive midfielder or winger and Affelay instead of Busquets. But I think Pep knows that it might be suicidal to remove a defensive core like Busquets for another offense player in a big match.
Well, Manchester has a balanced calender - Big Premier League Matches 1st Round (1st 10 Weeks), CL group stages (After 10 Weeks till December), Boxing Day, Big Premier League Matches 2nd Round (January-Mid March), Eliminatory CL matches (March-ill afterwards).
Manchester plays all their big matches early on in the season. If they win both rounds, I think they'll clinch the Premier League title easily. Unfortunately, Manchester also got some handy of injuries right now - Chicharito (1 month), Valencia, Fletcher notably.
Well, Arsenal last chance to get Premier League with their young players constructive project was missed in the last 15 weeks of the season. I remember once stating in 2007 that - Arsenal is a team that will dominate in 2010-2012 and will be reckoned as a deadly force. At this time, Arsenal had only young players and even Fabregas was quite unknown. Well, I think that if Arsenal had to be champions, they should have been already. Now, the bus is missed. So, obviously Wenger is frustrated. His project and idea deserve applaud but ideas goes into history only if they are successful - success being the only thing they didn't had.
Vidic also stated like me that the title will be played most likely between United, City and Chelsea. While some die-hard Liverpool fans still believe in my school, they don't stand much of a chance.
I don't Jadson but I've do seen of Juan Mata. Pretty good player indeed. Another Spanish lad who impressed me is Llorente.
On the transfer notes, I think that once Sneijder, Fabregas and Nasri goes out, the transfer will be mostly about young talents, especially Brazilians ones and Spanish ones.
Snejder will be a huge help for Man U if they get him. I knew about riots in england but never heard of the players in Spain not being paid but glad we will see the El Clasico.