For him to thrive, Pogba had to be the engine or there needs to be creativity from martial and neither was in their element. Not surprising that he didn’t generate more as he’s more a finisher rather than a creator.
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Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 36
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 1
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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.
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Tidy, sure, but he was invicible for most of it, which is always the case with him. The difference when Bruno came on to replace him was staggering.
I remain unconvinced he will really add anything to United.
I remain unconvinced he will really add anything to United.
He is a good player but not on the level of Bruno or Pogba
Will be a good squad player for us but if I was picking 2 from him,Pogba and Bruno,he will be no 3
Will be a good squad player for us but if I was picking 2 from him,Pogba and Bruno,he will be no 3
Did very well, showed he can be a great stand in for Fernandes and I think could happily play alongside him.
Proved Ole right in that he needs time to settle in.
The moaners who have come out in the press lately need to give their heads a wobble. There is a class player here but lets nurture it.
The moaners who have come out in the press lately need to give their heads a wobble. There is a class player here but lets nurture it.
He did ok , did he prove that he should have been starting all along ? Nope .
To be fair to him , He’s probably not match fit but I think he needs to be used from the bench More frequently . 10 mins here and there isn’t going to help him .
To be fair to him , He’s probably not match fit but I think he needs to be used from the bench More frequently . 10 mins here and there isn’t going to help him .
he proved the manager right. He’s being eased in. good performance, and allowed Bruno to be rested. Will grow and get more game time.
This season more than any other is all about squad depth. He will play lots of games, as any rational person has been saying since he joined.
Hardly wasted a pass, for his first start that was good, showed his intelligence throughout and played some nice, quick passes.
Not weird at all, He needs times to involve and blend with the team. Remember how fred needed a full season to do it?
He is a smart player and will do anything for the team, even if he's just a decoy. In the Newcastle game, he released our front 3 wide open because he knew they would pressed him hard.
We need a player like this, he would bring flexibility to the tactics. Our opponents will have a headache to scout our tactics now, he will have the answer to counter the high pressing or parking the bus.
He is used to quick one touch football at Ajax. I think he is a very good player, retains the ball well, creates space. He is a AM/CM not a DM.
Some lovely passes from tight spots, just in the unfortunate position of not being as good as Bruno Fernandes.
Weird formation didn't help, didn't justify the clamour for him to start in my eyes, fernandes looked a class apart when he came on.
Did very well - just won't be remembered as much because Bruno came on like a baller today. Honestly though he showed that he provides excellent squad depth. Excited to have him.
He had some nice touches and only lost the ball once that I can recall, good player that can get the job done when called upon
Thought he done very well done. Extremely good when under pressure on the ball.
Especially when we play the likes of Liverpool and City who do that to us
Especially when we play the likes of Liverpool and City who do that to us
Perhaps Grealish would do better in his position today, but in the end he always create space with his well timed passing.
He's not a number 10, although he can play there but he'd be far more effective in a 8 - Pogba or Freds position if we play a diamond midfield.
Needs to play a bit more to get into the groove with this team, however he came close to scoring and from the off you could see his quality. He's like Daley Blind, intelligent enough to play anywhere.
For now though I do prefer him in between split strikers.
For now though I do prefer him in between split strikers.
Good at retaining possession when under pressure. Decent performance overall.
It was the improved quick passing in the second half that did for the Germans. And that's maybe how to beat a high press in general. So VDB is going to be critical to us.
He wasn't bad, but I'd say he was our least good player today. Either him or Greenwood anyway, and Mason scored the goal to put himself ahead. Some nice little touches but overall he didn't get involved much.
Basing it purely off what he's shown for us so far I see him being a good squad player but probably not a regular starter. It's early days though so there's a fair chance he'll continue improving and push for a starting spot.
Basing it purely off what he's shown for us so far I see him being a good squad player but probably not a regular starter. It's early days though so there's a fair chance he'll continue improving and push for a starting spot.
He looked good. Our most press-resistant player? Think he’ll become an important part of our squad. He’ll soon learn to not make so many runs and stand around more often!
Very unique, tidy footballer. He’s doesn’t create much but he is so good at bringing others into play and creating space for others to run into.. one of those players who other players love playing with!
Not seeing much to get excited by yet, hopefully that’ll come as things settle a bit more.
I thought he did well today as he's done in all his appearances
I also think while Pogba lacks the discipline to play in midfield I feel we could easily line up with both VDB and Fernandes in a 3 man midfield and not get caught out. Might be an easy decision to make if Pogba leaves in the summer
I also think while Pogba lacks the discipline to play in midfield I feel we could easily line up with both VDB and Fernandes in a 3 man midfield and not get caught out. Might be an easy decision to make if Pogba leaves in the summer
Yeah the people criticizing him don't seem to understand the player he is or ever has been. VdB will make everyone better around him, because his brain is his best asset and as a player he provides a movement and speed of thought that is as good as any in the world. I was really pleased as well with how he held up to the press from Leipzig, it confirmed my thoughts that he's a great asset to have in big games.
I also think he can be used a lot in breaking down teams parking the bus. People saying he doesn't add much to our squad are the same that would be crying when we bring on Lingard to change a game or if one of our creative players got hurt.
Glad to see the diamond work tonight. I feel using this formation gives us so many options and really plays everyone in their best positron too!!!
He's a link player between midfield and attack in the same vein as Kagawa, in my view. He also has similar traits to the former United player. Good close control, very much a link up player and has a decent range of passing on him but ,also like Kagawa, he seems somewhat hesitant in getting physically involved and looks, which is understandable, timid on being a more influential figure in the games so-far.
Not bad, but the things i'm seeing people praise him for in the match thread basically makes him a level above Pereira. Which is great, but not sure if its worth 50m yet.
firstly he wasn’t £50m, it’s reported he was around £36m. Secondly, let’s give the player a chance, thought he did well tonight, and don’t personally see the comparison Ethernet him and Pereira.
Agree. In my opinion he is at the level of McT maybe, but in a position where he competes with Bruno and Pogba who both are levels higher. However give this guy a year or two and we have a top class player.
Different type of CAM to Bruno. Bruno is an all-action midfielder. He'll go looking for the ball and try audacious passes, but VdB is more of a link player, which is something I felt he did really well tonight. Would have liked to see him a bit more involved, but when he got the ball, he showed some good stuff.
He was 40 million. Tidy performance and really helped the team tick.
They play the same position, and if Andreas could do those things like making the right decisions, keeping it simple at times and not losing the ball, we wouldn't have to sign VdB. And unless he could find a way to play deeper behind Bruno, I dont see today as a case for him to start, he's a good deputy for Bruno like we expected.
Tonight is a prime example why Bruno will be played ahead of him quite a lot, that's no reflection on VDB, he will still be a good rotation player for us.
Bruno takes the game by the scruff of the neck, different type of player.
Bruno takes the game by the scruff of the neck, different type of player.
I fully agree with this.
Would love to see today's formation with VDB, Pogba and Bruno all starting together.
Don't know how it would hold up defensively though.
He will come good I'm sure. He needs to have patience, and we as fans need to have patience.
If we start playing the diamond more, he will have plenty of chances and won't have to compete with Bruno for a very select position.
If we start playing the diamond more, he will have plenty of chances and won't have to compete with Bruno for a very select position.
Yeah but he has improved squad depth so much better him start or come on than James or Lingard. Yeah Grealish is a better player(I don’t think by much) Villa would of wanted a fortune this summer and we couldn’t really afford with covid and all
Our best team should include two players from each group to give the balance we need.
Group 1:
Matic
Fred
McT
Group 2
Pogba
VdB
Bruno
Quite obviously a talented lad but I don’t get how he fits with our system & all round style of play.
I suspect he’ll be fed to us as the Pogba replacement when he’s sold next season & we don’t spend big on a replacement - hopefully this is his season of transition as he has qualities.
I suspect he’ll be fed to us as the Pogba replacement when he’s sold next season & we don’t spend big on a replacement - hopefully this is his season of transition as he has qualities.
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