irl players have free will (except those managed by Alex Ferguson ) and instant feedback for their actions and inactions with an ability to react - in a game they do not, even the most sophisticated simulation can't do it. Its useful sometimes to make rl comparisons to game mechanics but they're not and can't be the same.

But, that said, in the game one of the intentions is to find space for players. At a very basic level we don't know if formations are purely 'player placement' or if there are deeper programmed associate actions - truth is likely to be between the 2. If we assume formations have more to them than just placement then we might think of established/recognised formations as controled formations (with advantages/disadvantages or srengths/weaknesses). Soooooooo, unusual formations are free from that (be it an advantantage or disadvantage) - their intent therefore is to find space and avoid coverage.

Another intention of an unusual formation might be to cause the opposition to do something different and force a mistake.

Ofc, most of these different placements are not that different....just a slide one 'square' either way for single players.

On the other hand, we can see this as just farting about with words and thoughts, reject it and get on with playing the game.