How to recreate Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in EA FC 25
Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United was one of the most tactically balanced teams in the world. The success was clearly visible as Sir Alex recorded 13 Premier League titles to his name in a tenure that lasted more than two decades. etching himself as one of the greats in the game.
Ferguson's era was nothing short of legenda͏ry. If yo͏u͏ want to rec͏reate the magic of Sir Ale͏x's Ma͏nchester ͏United in EA FC 25, ͏this guide will walk you through building a modern version of the team organically, ͏wit͏hout using the fina͏ncial takeover featur͏e.
In͏ this artic͏le, we’͏ll focus o͏n play͏er t͏ransfers, tactical setu͏ps, and formations ͏th͏at reflect Fergu͏son's iconic style of foot͏ball.
NOTE: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinion. We are not building the same team with the same players, but a modern-day Manchester United based on his tactics.
Transfers: First step towards recreating Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United
To replicate Ferguson’s tactical brilliance, we’ll need to make some key transfers—targeting players who suit the dynamic and balanced style Sir Alex was famous for. Here are the players you should buy and sell to shape your squad based on Ferguson's Manchester United:
Players to buy:
- Nicola Zalewski (Roma) - LM/RM
- Ansgar Knauff (Frankfurt) - RM/RB
- Exequiel Palacios (Leverkusen) - CM
- Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona) - CM
- William Saliba (Arsenal) - CB
- Diogo Jota (Liverpool) - ST/CF
Players to sell:
- Luke Shaw - LB
- Bruno Fernandes - CAM
- Christian Eriksen - CM
- Victor Lindelof - CB
- Casemiro - CDM
These pla͏yers were se͏lec͏ted because they fit͏ into Ferguson’s style of play: fas͏t, aggressive,͏ and tac͏tical͏ly flexible.͏ Selling some͏ key players͏ from your current squad will all͏ow you to a͏cqui͏re these si͏gn͏ings without ͏a financial takeover,͏ keeping͏ th͏ings͏ realistic.
Best formation to create Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United
The 4-4-2 formation was Ferguson’s go-to setup during his time at Manchester United. It offers balance in defense and attack, and in EA FC 25, it still holds up as one of the most effective formations.
Here’s how to set up your squad in the 4-4-2:
- ST: Højlund
- ST: Diogo Jota
- LM: Marcus Rashford
- RM: Nicola Zalewski
- CM: Frenkie de Jong
- CM: Exequiel Palacios
- LB: Tyrell Malacia
- RB: Diogo Dalot
- CB: Matthijs de Ligt
- CB: William Saliba
- GK: André Onana
This formation prioritizes width through Rashford and Zalewski, while de Jong and Palacios provide the midfield engine needed to control the game, much like Paul Scholes and Roy Keane did under Ferguson.
Tip: Malacia can also be deployed as a box-to-box midfielder if you need flexibility in the center of the pitch.
Best custom tactics for Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United
Custom tactics are essential to get the best out of your players and align with Sir Alex Ferguson’s aggressive, counter-attacking philosophy. Below are the key custom tactics for each player:
- Højlund: Poacher+ (focus on attack)
- Jota: False 9+ (focus on build-up)
- Rashford: Winger (focus on balanced)
- De Jong: Playmaker++ (focus on roaming)
- Palacios: Box-to-Box+ (balanced approach)
- Zalewski: Wide Midfielder+ (focus on balanced)
- Malacia: Falseback+ (balanced)
- De Ligt: Stopper+ (focus on balanced)
- Saliba: Defender++ (set to defend)
- Dalot: Wingback+ (balanced role)
- Onana: Sweeper Keeper+ (balanced)
With these tactics, your team will play a fast, aggressive style with an emphasis on fluid transitions between defense and attack, just like Sir Alex’s Manchester United.
Additionally, Jakub Kiwior is a promising young defender who can be trained in the false-back role for future squad depth.
Also read: How to build Pep Guardiola's Barcelona in FC 25
Final thoughts
Recreating Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in EA FC 25 is all about finding the right balance between tactical discipline and attacking freedom. By targeting players who fit this style and setting up the team in a classic 4-4-2 formation, you can bring the glory days of Old Trafford back, at least into the virtual world.