After his last performance Mata should start over AdM. Bring him on as a sub in the next couple of games and if Mata plays badly and AdM has a good sub performance or two he gets to start again. I think this kind of competition is good for our team. No one should be certain that he starts regardless of how he has performed before. I remember Evra mentioning that this was one of the main things under SAF that would make everyone give their best in every game, that there was always another player breathing down your neck for your starting spot.
The Juan Mata v Di Maria Debate (Liverpool) | Poll added
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Moreno is worse defensively IMO.
Kind of ironic it was Evra saying that given he had the least amount of competition for his space of everyone in the squad, pretty much.
It didn't break against Spurs... Mata should start.
Same if Rojo becomes available before Sunday... Smalling and Jones should start at CB.
Same if Rojo becomes available before Sunday... Smalling and Jones should start at CB.
Yeah I think it was more in that way in the beginning when he came here. In the later stages of his career it's true he had basically no competition for his starting spot and arguably that was also the time his performances started to get worse.
I definitely agree with what you are saying - what he was saying - as a guiding principle. You can spend your time worrying about the impact on Player X or Player Y but the bottom line is people should be dropped when they are playing badly and picked when they have played well.
But its easier to say that as a fan who doesnt have responsibility for man-managing the players, that also has to be acknowledged. I can see Van Gaal's predicament, if he has a £60m player who is potentially the best player in the league but is struggling to impose himself, there must be a temptation to treat him a bit differently. There are other factors to consider. And Id also say SAF used to pay a lot of lip service to this principle but he was also capable of selecting people who werent playing that well, or dropping people after a great game. These things happen.
So I wont be surprised at all if the team this weekend is a little different. And if I had to put money on it Id probably bet Di Maria will start. I just cant see him being left out. But in my simple, black and white world, I hope to see the same team start this weekend as last.
Seeing Van Persie picked up front and Rooney drop back is actually going to annoy me more to be honest.
Exactly
Done.
Muchos gracias.
Nice poll. I am struggling to decide - glad I'm not the manager!!
I went with Young and Mata. Both have earned themselves a start. Plus gives Di Maria a message not to be so petulant. Plus, it's a nice player to bring off the bench against tiring Liverpool legs!!
I feel bad leaving Young out but I ultimately feel we're going to set up pretty defensive for the match and I'd rather have Di Maria there, as I just think, despite his poor form, he's more capable of the sort of moment of magic we might need than Young is, especially as Sterling will be bombing forward and there'll be some space on the wing for him.
Young has been consistently good this season but not overly impressive when used on the wings, he doesn't create enough to be used in a three man attack.
Young has been consistently good this season but not overly impressive when used on the wings, he doesn't create enough to be used in a three man attack.
Surprised to see you say that, I totally disagree. Di Maria has been consistently ineffective recently, and Young has been consistently productive. He might not be getting the goals and assists himself, but again and again he's been the man creating the dangerous situations... whereas too often Di Maria hasn't been producing either.
Young's showing against Spurs was probably his best in the season, and he was playing on the wing. Whereas the fact that Di Maria has been much less effective on the wing is now well documented. And while Di Maria is respectable defensively, Young is undoubtedly more so. I'd definitely feel more confident having him helping our LB with Sterling than trusting Di Maria to do it. After all, Young himself has been the LB a number of times this season, and done a pretty good job of it.
So yeah, as far as I can see it'd be daft to drop Young after his showing against Spurs and his consecutive months of good work.
You're surprised to see me, of all people, pick an extremely talented but frustrating winger over a far less talented but harder working and more consistent one?
I really didn't think Young was that good against Spurs, although that could be because he was simply overshadowed by some great performances by the likes of Rooney, Mata, Fellaini, and Herrera. I thought Blind stood out on the left more than Young did too, actually.
You're surprised to see me, of all people, pick an extremely talented but frustrating winger over a far less talented but harder working and more consistent one?
I really didn't think Young was that good against Spurs, although that could be because he was simply overshadowed by some great performances by the likes of Rooney, Mata, Fellaini, and Herrera. I thought Blind stood out on the left more than Young did too, actually.
Blind and Young did a good job on the left.. they had good understanding of each others whereabouts, I would keep that same combo.. for Liverpool..
You're surprised to see me, of all people, pick an extremely talented but frustrating winger over a far less talented but harder working and more consistent one?
I really didn't think Young was that good against Spurs, although that could be because he was simply overshadowed by some great performances by the likes of Rooney, Mata, Fellaini, and Herrera. I thought Blind stood out on the left more than Young did too, actually.
Fair play.Normally I would say keep the same team, but because of Liverpool's pressing and high line our players will have less time on the ball and we need pace to hurt them on the counter, Mata isn't quick and needs time on the ball to be effective therefore Di Maria and Young have to play imo.
Young has been our most creative player in recent matches imo. You shouldn't confuse flair with creativity.
Or we could just play all 3 by sticking Young at LB and his pace would be useful vs Sterling, i think Blind's pace would be exposed there.
I know this has been said before but just imagine if youd seen this thread a year ago. The idea that the majority would have been calling for Young to start a game like this. The idea that there would be almost universal acceptance that Fellaini should be playing essentially as a #10. That we would have Di Maria but many people would want him left out. Its quite stunning what can change in a year when you think about it.
Cheers for adding the poll.
There's a black man in the whitehouse? Has anyone told the president?
Much less effective than what? Certainly not his United form. He's been poor in central midfield at United more often than he's been good, that's for damn sure.
In fact, I would argue that his only good performances at United in the last six or seven months have been on the wing.
Di Maria has been less effective on the wing than Young. That was how I read it.
I'd rather have Januzaj and Mata.. Don't like Young or Valencia in midfield or further up the pitch
Sunday was - by pretty much all accounts - our best performance for two years. Two sodding years! I don't see why we shouldn't ride that wave as much as possible into this next game... sure we could over-think this Liverpool side and their relative strengths/weaknesses, but feck it, let's have them worry about how easily these 11 players brushed Spurs aside and how we might do the same to them.
I've picked on people here criticizing Di Maria for his "ineffectiveness."
League Assist Chart
Di Maria 8 Assists
(Rooney, Falcao 4 Assists)
(Herrera 3 Assists)
Mata 3 Assists
Young 1 Assist
Now obviously we're looking at an attacking perspective here but if we're talking about a match winning moment from our wingers, it can only be from Di Maria out of the above wingers. People seem to have forgotten what he adds to the team. It was his ball that rescued us a point against Chelsea, in Madrid it was his cross for Bale which got Madrid the Champions League winner. He's the guy to come up big for a big moment.
He's a guaranteed 10KM+ runner in a match and he will give their wingbacks hell, especially if he gangs up on them with our fullback creating a 2 v 1 situation and that's where I honestly think we'll see the best of Di Maria with time and space to cross and/or cut inside as our fullback occupies their wingback, their players will be dragged out of position and he'll certainly have a lot of joy on the wing. I really do feel that this of all matches is tailor made for him.
Whether this means dropping Young/Mata, I cannot answer that. But Di Maria is needed for this game and I will be disappointed if he doesn't play from a tactical point of view.
Gary Neville is quoted to say:
"The big decision is Di Maria or Mata. I would go with Di Maria for pace. I think they will need to play on the counter attack and also match the speed of Moreno and Coutinho (on the Liverpool left)."
League Assist Chart
Di Maria 8 Assists
(Rooney, Falcao 4 Assists)
(Herrera 3 Assists)
Mata 3 Assists
Young 1 Assist
Now obviously we're looking at an attacking perspective here but if we're talking about a match winning moment from our wingers, it can only be from Di Maria out of the above wingers. People seem to have forgotten what he adds to the team. It was his ball that rescued us a point against Chelsea, in Madrid it was his cross for Bale which got Madrid the Champions League winner. He's the guy to come up big for a big moment.
He's a guaranteed 10KM+ runner in a match and he will give their wingbacks hell, especially if he gangs up on them with our fullback creating a 2 v 1 situation and that's where I honestly think we'll see the best of Di Maria with time and space to cross and/or cut inside as our fullback occupies their wingback, their players will be dragged out of position and he'll certainly have a lot of joy on the wing. I really do feel that this of all matches is tailor made for him.
Whether this means dropping Young/Mata, I cannot answer that. But Di Maria is needed for this game and I will be disappointed if he doesn't play from a tactical point of view.
Gary Neville is quoted to say:
"The big decision is Di Maria or Mata. I would go with Di Maria for pace. I think they will need to play on the counter attack and also match the speed of Moreno and Coutinho (on the Liverpool left)."
Who would have thought a year ago that 39/46 of us would rather Young start over Mata or Di Maria.
De Maria has played badly and deserves to be dropped. He should come on as a sub and prove he's worth it. An uncompetitive top player is top a top player.
With not a hint of controversy in the fact that Fellaini is 100% certain to start.
Fellaini should always be a dead cert to start against Liverpool, even when we all hated him!
I think clearly, the biggest negative about this whole debate is that this will be the first port of call for the "I told you so's" if we lose... (it'll certainly be mine dammit).
Mata is my Favorite United player and he deserves to play, Young like wise has earned his place and been one of our best players this season. On the other hand i think that Di Maria would be slightly harder working than Mata but he has been totally shite and gives the ball away alot.
Mata and di Maria
I'd leave Di Maria on the bench. Not just because you shouldn't change a winning formula, but because almost regardless of the score he'll be an immense option from the bench.
A draw is a good result but even if we were drawing I'd put him on with 30 mins to go. Against their defence it's worth the gamble in my opinion.
I just can't see any of our other player's being able to change the game from the bench. Mata might create a bit of magic, but he isn't going to completely change the tempo, pace etc.
A draw is a good result but even if we were drawing I'd put him on with 30 mins to go. Against their defence it's worth the gamble in my opinion.
I just can't see any of our other player's being able to change the game from the bench. Mata might create a bit of magic, but he isn't going to completely change the tempo, pace etc.
Yeah I think the whole Di Maria as weapon from the bench thing deserves emphasis, it is bound to be quite a tight game and he could do some real damage in the later stages.
Stop talking nonsense, Eboue needs to start on both wings at the same time instead.