Football Manager 2022 shipped on 9 November 2021, and its headline addition was the Data Hub, a dedicated analysis section holding match momentum, pass maps, zone maps, shot maps and xG timelines. Sports Interactive also added the Wide Centre-Back role for three-at-the-back shapes, rebuilt transfer deadline day, and introduced a weekly Staff Meeting covering Coaching, Development, Staffing and Squad Planning. This is also the edition where Manchester United became Manchester UFC in the database, after SEGA settled a long-running trademark dispute with the club.
Picking the right build determines how your experience plays out. These builds are ranked by overall effectiveness, factoring in damage, survivability, gear requirements, and how well they scale into endgame. New to the game? Start with our beginner's guide first.
Quick Rankings
| Role | Tier | Playstyle | Core Gear |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wide Centre-Back | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Complete Wing-Back | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Deep Lying Playmaker | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Ball Winning Midfielder | A | Balanced | Best available |
| Advanced Forward | A | Balanced | Best available |
For detailed meta rankings, see our Football Manager 2022 tier list.
A-Tier: Wide Centre-Back
Wide Centre-Back is a top-performing option in Football Manager 2022.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Work Ball Into Box | Tells the side to refuse low percentage shots and keep circulating until a chance opens inside the area. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Data Hub | A sidebar section built for FM22 that gathers match momentum, pass maps, zone maps, shot maps and xG timelines in one place. |
How to Play Wide Centre-Back
Wide Centre-Back focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Work Ball Into Box does the damage and Data Hub keeps it running, which is why this sits at the top of the list. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Highest overall performance
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Popular pick, resources may be contested
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Complete Wing-Back
Complete Wing-Back is a strong option in Football Manager 2022.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Overlap Left | Asks the left-sided attacker to hold the ball and invite the full-back or wing-back past him on the outside. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Scout Assignments | FM22 recruitment runs on assignments. |
How to Play Complete Wing-Back
Complete Wing-Back focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Pair Overlap Left with Scout Assignments and the build stops depending on a good start, so it holds up across most content. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Most versatile option
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Lower peak damage than S-tier
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Deep Lying Playmaker
Deep Lying Playmaker is a strong option in Football Manager 2022.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Prevent Short GK Distribution | Pushes your forwards onto the opposition centre-backs at goal kicks so the keeper has to go long. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Weekly Staff Meeting | Runs alongside the Recruitment Meeting that FM21 introduced, and covers Coaching, Development, Staffing and Squad Planning. |
How to Play Deep Lying Playmaker
Deep Lying Playmaker focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Weekly Staff Meeting covers the gap Prevent Short GK Distribution leaves open, so the build stays usable even when a fight goes badly. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Best survivability
- Straightforward gearing path
- Works in all content types
Cons:
- Slower clear speeds
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
A-Tier: Ball Winning Midfielder
Ball Winning Midfielder is a specialized option in Football Manager 2022.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Higher Defensive Line | Squeezes the pitch by pushing the back line up, shortening the distance your midfield has to cover to press. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Deadline Day | Rebuilt so the closing hours of the window actually move. |
How to Play Ball Winning Midfielder
Ball Winning Midfielder focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: This one leans on Deadline Day rather than raw numbers, and Higher Defensive Line is what makes that trade pay off. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Strong in group/team content
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- Weaker solo performance
- Requires deep game knowledge
A-Tier: Advanced Forward
Advanced Forward is a specialized option in Football Manager 2022.
Core Setup
| Slot | Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Equipment | Be More Expressive | Loosens the leash so players make their own decisions rather than following the tactical script. |
| Core Gear | Best available for your level | Maximizes build potential |
| Stat Priority | Balanced offensive and defensive stats | Optimal scaling |
| Key Mechanic | Stamina-aware pressing | FM22 changed how players decide to close down, weighing stamina and sprint capacity into that decision. |
How to Play Advanced Forward
Advanced Forward focuses on a balanced approach to content.
Why this role works: Be More Expressive and Stamina-aware pressing pull in the same direction here, which separates this from the safer picks above. See our weapons guide for detailed equipment breakdowns.
Pros:
- Unique, rewarding playstyle
- Straightforward gearing path
- Excels in its niche
Cons:
- High skill floor, punishing when misplayed
- Requires deep game knowledge
Build Progression Path
- Start with Complete Wing-Back: the most forgiving option for learning the game
- Transition to Wide Centre-Back once you understand core mechanics and have access to Work Ball Into Box
- Keep a Deep Lying Playmaker setup for content that keeps killing you
- Try Advanced Forward for a fresh experience once you've mastered the basics
Follow our walkthrough for the optimal progression path through each area.
Gearing Tips
- Invest in your primary equipment first, since it gives the biggest power spike. See our weapons guide for rankings.
- Open the Data Hub after every match and look at the xG timeline before the scoreline. A 2-0 win where you were out-created by 1.8 expected goals is a warning, and FM22 gives you six weeks of those warnings before the results turn.
- Set scout assignments by position and competition rather than by named player. An assignment aimed at right-backs in the Eredivisie for six months returns more usable options than manually filtering a global search you have to repeat every month.
- Don't spread upgrade resources across multiple builds until endgame
More Football Manager 2022 Guides
- Football Manager 2022 Football Manager 2022 Overview
- Football Manager 2022 Tier List
- Football Manager 2022 Walkthrough
- Football Manager 2022 Beginner's Guide
- Football Manager 2022 Tips & Tricks
- Football Manager 2022 Weapons Guide
- Football Manager 2022 Combat Guide
- Football Manager 2022 Boss Guide
- Football Manager 2022 Maps & Locations
- Football Manager 2022 Crafting Guide
- Football Manager 2022 Classes & Characters
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