I agree now (with Ibra deciding to play as a playmaker and alegeri can do nothing about it)
the best formation is 4-3-2-1
Milan should utilize the flanks some how, by full back or midfielder or forwards, to stretch defenses...
I definitely agree that our inability to threaten from wide positions costs us dearly in the modern game.. It's not like we are even hoping to change our identity, we were able to attack from anywhere on the pitch from Sacchi's era through Ancelotti 2005, but we no longer threaten anyone on the flanks.
I think Taiwo can certainly add something on the left side, but Abate is as useless going forward as he is useful defending. People wonder why he hasn't been called up to the national team, but it's not that difficult to figure out if you just watch him on the opponent's side of the pitch... He gets into great crossing positions but repeatedly sends in horrible balls. The only assist from Abate in an official match that I can think of was a complete mistake against Inter last season (Pato's header)... I love the kid, but he's a huge part of the problem that you are referring to.
With this squad, I'd like to see us give the Christmas tree a shot:
Abbiati
Abate-Nesta-Silva-Taiwo
Aquilani-Van Bommel-Seedorf
Robinho---Ibra
Pato
Now, I don't know that we would want to use that formation in every match, but I think it's the best one that we can come up with. Compared to the Christmas tree from 2007, we basically ask Robinho to do Kaka's duties (run at the defense, roam all over the pitch), Ibra fills Seedorf's role, and we exchange Gilardino/Inzaghi for Pato (the only improvement over the 2007 version). I think the most important thing is that Ibra/Robinho are not responsible for all of the creativity... We struggled last season with those three playing together because we didn't have other creative options, but we shouldn't have that problem with Aquilani and Seedorf on the pitch.