Sky Sources : Blind and Mata set to leave this summer.

[Duafc]

So do you think we can win a league with Blind and Smalling defence? Mourinho hasn't come here to finish 4th.

LVG put Blind in and arguably turfed out a better player in Evans. According to Squawka, Mata was our third best player behind Smalling and Blind. Martial was 9th and Schneiderlin was 5th. That is why I do not take these sites seriously. According to that site, Ashley Williams was the 5th best defender in the league. Was he feck.

If people watched our away games and how we struggled then you would see that we need to improve defensively to even have a chance of challenging for the league.

Firstly, you seem to suggest that people on the Cafe don't watch away games? Seems odd.

I actually stated in my first post in this thread today that I would buy a top class CB this summer, or Stones, who will likely become one.

However it's not ridiculous to suggest that a defence that has the joint best record won't be capable of winning the league next year. Shaw will come back and make it stronger, Tony and Darmian can hopefully remain fit and provide more consistency at RB. Blind has not only displayed that he has the qualities (and more) to play there but has grown into the role and imo, would continue to do so. I think on the balance of things he was as good as Smalling this year.

Personally I think the reason we've looked shaky at times, particularly away from home is two fold.

1) LvGs posession tactics - forces fullbacks, cbs and DMs very far forward, often because of our lack of final ball or incision the ball is endlessly recycled and we creep forward and forward as a team, when it does ultimately break down our defenders are left one versus one or worse and the opponents have so much room to run or play into. We still don't press well enough as a team to win the ball back quickly and are therefore just asking to be countered and often Smalling or Blind and our fullbacks are so high and stranded, through largely no fault of their own, left in a very tricky spot. Often they do well but it's always asking for disaster.

2) Shit CMs - been a problem all year. Bastian not fit, Carrick seeming to have aged a little too much for some games, Morgan nowhere near the player he seemed last year, feli is a liability in open play, Herrera gifts it away cheaply. Rooney ironically seems the most reliable defensively behind Morgan (though it's his only job) which really tells you all you need to know. I hope Morgan can step up and do the job better this year but wouldn't be surprised if Jose goes for a Kante or similar.

In summary, I agree about the stats, comparing players in different positions is useless, but that stat was comparing two Centre backs in the same team... So it is actually very worthwhile.

A good defence is more the sum of the parts and i actually think those two compliment each other very well, our problems are further up the pitch.

I'd buy a CB, but I wouldn't sell Blind and don't think him and Smalling starting writes us off in terms of a league title.

 

[RaptorSlo]

Surely just educated guess work

Educated... ha!

 

[jesperjaap]

I think something happened with Mata and he has lost everything that once made him a great player. I remember him even at Valencia he was a threat on the wings or as no 10 and then at Chelsea he looked like he had a goal or assist in him in every game... He was in the top 3 players on my fantasy team, after that something happened and he totally lost it, he is slow, inadequate and often out of position and showed glimpses of his older self once in a while...I have no idea whether it was LVG's fault or not...As far as Blind is concerned, I am of the belief that every squad striving for success should have a player like him. He is very smart, his positioning is very good and his passing range and vision are of good standard. He is not the world class player who can decide games but he can fill holes and play in a number of positions (deep lying playmaker is his best in my opinion).

Good post. A lot of people say we are wasting Mata on the wings, but forget he started most of his career on the left for Valencia. Im not sure he totally lost it, more the other way round and had an 18 month purple patch at Chelsea. He is a good player and appears a top man as well, but he was never a signing we should have made in the first place, especially for the money paid.

I kind of agree with you on Blind. If I was Mourinho there would be other people moved on before Blind like Rojo, Fellaini for example in areas he can play with his versatility.....at the same time though, for me he is not a centra back, I have hated watching him play there. Ronald Koeman couldnt defend but was great on the ball....but this myth about Blinds anticipation astounds me, he is slow cant read flick ons or runs in the box and just doesnt have any pace to rectify these problems. He is a decent left back but I would much rather Bothwick Jackson has that position as cover for Shaw. So that leaves central midfield and Carrick looks like getting one more year, Schneiderlin has been pants but deserves one more year due to being a decent if over rated player at SOuthampton, also I can see Mensah devloping into a good defensive or box to box midfielder. Add to that other central midfielders we have and one or two more probably to come and personally it leads me to the conclusion he isnt really needed.

 

[Slavkov]

Good post. A lot of people say we are wasting Mata on the wings, but forget he started most of his career on the left for Valencia. Im not sure he totally lost it, more the other way round and had an 18 month purple patch at Chelsea. He is a good player and appears a top man as well, but he was never a signing we should have made in the first place, especially for the money paid.

I kind of agree with you on Blind. If I was Mourinho there would be other people moved on before Blind like Rojo, Fellaini for example in areas he can play with his versatility.....at the same time though, for me he is not a centra back, I have hated watching him play there. Ronald Koeman couldnt defend but was great on the ball....but this myth about Blinds anticipation astounds me, he is slow cant read flick ons or runs in the box and just doesnt have any pace to rectify these problems. He is a decent left back but I would much rather Bothwick Jackson has that position as cover for Shaw. So that leaves central midfield and Carrick looks like getting one more year, Schneiderlin has been pants but deserves one more year due to being a decent if over rated player at SOuthampton, also I can see Mensah devloping into a good defensive or box to box midfielder. Add to that other central midfielders we have and one or two more probably to come and personally it leads me to the conclusion he isnt really needed.

I definitely agree with everything you say. I just say that every team nead such a squad player that can fill holes. If our squad is deeper and the players you mentioned imrpove their game and step up then maybe we will not need him at all.

 

[carlosp]

I would definitely keep Blind.

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m...ors/errors_leading_to_goal/goals_scored#total

There was many a good time when a person thought he was beaten and he then stopped the rush forward by the opposition. We should at least keep him for his versatility.

 

[paulscholes18]

Rather Rojo & Carrick left then Blind

 

[adexkola]

The first 2 pages proves that people believe whoever they want to believe, with bs laden justifications like "he's not a proper source".

Regarding the subject matter, I have never seen the point in letting decent players go unless they are being replaced with better ones, or they are standing in the way of youth players needing game time. Mourinho got it wrong with Mata at Chelsea. I hope but doubt he is making the right decision by letting Mata walk (assuming the rumors are true). Blind, even less so... But we'll see how things go.

 

[murphs_law]

Good to see SSNHQ have not lost their anti United Agenda. Consistancy, ya cant knock it.

Whats the odds their researcher is a plastics fan ?

 

[shamans]

I hope to God Mata stays. Please

 

[mattsville]

Blind is a fantastic player, very intelligent and technically sound, he has also shown, as he has mentioned, that he is capable of competing in the PL, he is young and not costing a fortune on wages, defo keep him as the squad player he should have been, Mata can go imo, nice guy, but does'nt produce enough, scores some goals, slows down play and not enough end product from set plays, but if people are looking to put a finger on it, arguing for and against, here is an example, he scored twice away at the dippers and won the game, so did forlan, we still sing about forlan, never heard a song about mata.

 

[mark_a]

Fellaini, Rojo & Schweinsteiger would be before them in the queue to go for me. Possibly Jones as well, for a player who's going to be strong AND fit!

 

[Offside]

For some reason when I saw Blind may leave Barcelona did just some straight to mind.

 

[Offside]

Good to see SSNHQ have not lost their anti United Agenda. Consistancy, ya cant knock it.

Whats the odds their researcher is a plastics fan ?

Such a RAWK post.

 

[murphs_law]

Such a RAWK post.

And yet none the less true.

 

[RoadTrip]

I'd be disappointed if Blind left. He's a good player who can cover in many positions. Better to remove the deadweight. Blind might not be world class but his versatility means he adds depth to a lot of positions.

 

[Von Mistelroum]

I'll be so sad if we let Blind go. He's got real quality and I think, under a good manager, he can contribute a lot. I used to love Mata, but he's not the same player and, while he's a nice guy, he hasn't enough to his game now.

 

[Gandalf Greyhame]

Losing Daley Blind will be very stupid from our end. This is a man who has been shifted from LB to CDM to CB, and succeeded everywhere. He has proved all his critics wrong this season - we wouldn't have such a good defensive record if one of our CBs was shit. He handled players stronger, taller and faster than him multiple times, scored a couple of vital goals and created some, too, played the ball out from the back with style, and is probably one of the most intelligent players in our squad, if not the most. He is someone who sets technical standards high deep in midfield and defence, and keeps things ticking at the back.

You don't get rid of such a versatile, mature, proven, intelligent, experienced and technically gifted player with at least 5 years of football left in him without giving him a chance in the new regime. I am sure he will be an excellent squad cover, if not a consistent and dependable regular starter.

I would be thoroughly disappointed in Mourinho and the club if we did indeed let Blind leave.

 

[Jaybomb]

Fellaini, Jones and Rojo are all tall, strong, physical players. Perfect for Jose's bus.

Mata and Blind are small and weak. It makes sense when you think about it.

 

[bosnian_red]

Letting go of Blind would be a terrible choice IMO. He's a quality player, really versatile, and seems like somebody who will stay as long as he's wanted. Such an intelligent player and we need more of those intelligent players on the ball because we don't have all that many of them these days. Can easily see Barca take him and just replace Mascherano at center back with him with no problem at all.

As for Mata... It's a matter of when, not if he leaves I think. Can be a quality player, just needs the right system and players around him, something we haven't had and won't have with Mourinho. Best for him, even though he is so likable, if he finds somewhere else he'll be valued more.

 

[DenisIrwin]

Fellaini, Jones and Rojo are all tall, strong, physical players. Perfect for Jose's bus.

Mata and Blind are small and weak. It makes sense when you think about it.

Shame Arnie's too old eh?

 

[stu_1992]

Can't say I would be surprised if this is true. The Mata one seems obvious enough, and I always thought that Blind would only feature as a centre-back under Van Gaal. Don't see we can't keep him a good squad player though.

 

[SamVimes]

Fellaini, Jones and Rojo are all tall, strong, physical players. Perfect for Jose's bus.

Mata and Blind are small and weak. It makes sense when you think about it.

No it does not. Mata and Blind are intelligent footballers who had a reasonable good season under difficult circumstances.

The other three were woeful and are limited footballers. Is Hazard a physical player? Oscar? Was Duff or Robben? Jose is not a fool and understand s there is more to the game than athletes.

 

[ti vu]

No it does not. Mata and Blind are intelligent footballers who had a reasonable good season under difficult circumstances.

The other three were woeful and are limited footballers. Is Hazard a physical player? Oscar? Was Duff or Robben? Jose is not a fool and understand s there is more to the game than athletes.

Hazard, Oscar, Duff, Robben are all athletic. They are not physically tough, but they provide pace and power with their play.

Not saying anything about Fellaini, Jones, and Rojo though. Just want to correct the idea that Mata and Blind can be put in the same category of those Chelsea (former) players.

 

[Sammyjunn]

But even if Blind isnt an ideal CB, he's still a very good LB (was arguably the best at the WC, but then again Rojo looked good there). People said he could keep against pacey wingers, but he did that with ease in 13/14 in that streak concluding Spurs, Liverpool and I think Arsenal but not sure. He's so good om the ball, a good crosser, good passer, knows when to come forward/stay behind, links up with the winger and can defend really well for a full back, ideal stand-in for Shaw, and is just so versatile, would be so stupid to sell him.

 

[cfkane]

Unless Blind wants to leave, I hope he stays. I have said it when I was on the newbie forums and I will repeat it here. Blind is the current version of John O'Shea in our squad. You wouldn't pencil him in in the regular starting XI, but if you had a midfield or defensive injury or just needed to rest a player in one of those positions, you would be glad you had that versatility in the squad. So unless Jose buys someone like that, Blind should be retained.

 

[stevoc]

Carrick wasn't considered as a big deal even at Spurs who always thought huddlestone was better than him. When he came he was similar to blind. Not particularly fast, not very athletic but very good passer and good at plugging gaps attacking and defensive wise

Is that part actually true though? Huddlestone didn't even break into Spurs first team until after Carrick left.

And lets remember Spurs weren't exactly happy to lose Carrick. He was arguably their best player.

 

[3KDré]

Great squad player who clearly has great affinity for the club. If he leaves I will be sad to see him go as on his day he can ping some really good passes. But if he leaves, it wouldn't be a huge loss.

 

[wiz4231]

I'm not against getting rid of Blind only if we bring someone solid in. PL proven players like Van Dijk would be a good move or Varane etc. Mata on the other hand as much as I love him as a player i believe under Jose is surplus to requirements unfortunately.

 

[Jaybomb]

No it does not. Mata and Blind are intelligent footballers who had a reasonable good season under difficult circumstances.

The other three were woeful and are limited footballers. Is Hazard a physical player? Oscar? Was Duff or Robben? Jose is not a fool and understand s there is more to the game than athletes.

I prefer Mata and Blind to the prior 3, but there's a lot more to it than that. You know that.

Like all managers, Mourinho has a preferred system and Blind and Mata obviously don't fit it. On top of that, we will probably get decent fees for them which can contribute to someone more fitting like Pogba or Varane hopefully.

 

[MileHighRed]

The question any united supporter should be asking about Blind or Mata is would either of them get into the united squads let alone first 11 of the two teams that won the CL in 99 and 08? The simple answer is no. This is the standard that SAF has set for this club and players of this ilk including Fellani aren't good enough.

 

[Jaybomb]

Unless Blind wants to leave, I hope he stays. I have said it when I was on the newbie forums and I will repeat it here. Blind is the current version of John O'Shea in our squad. You wouldn't pencil him in in the regular starting XI, but if you had a midfield or defensive injury or just needed to rest a player in one of those positions, you would be glad you had that versatility in the squad. So unless Jose buys someone like that, Blind should be retained.

A lot of players can play in multiple positions. Not just Blind. The thing about Blind is, he's not particularly brilliant in any of those positions.

As a CB, he's weak and small and we rely on his reading of the game and passing more than his physicality and strength. Not ideal for Man United who are used to having big warrior defenders like Vidic, Stam and Bruce.

As a CDM, he was exposed last season. Got overrun in midfield a bunch of times.

LB is probably his best position for me. I remember last season, he had a run of games at LB and we got wins against the likes of City, Spurs, Liverpool, etc. Plus he's a good crosser.

Either way, I'd like him to stay but if he was to go... meh. Who cares. We've lost better players over the years. In Jose, We Trust

 

[Jaybomb]

The question any united supporter should be asking about Blind or Mata is would either of them get into the united squads let alone first 11 of the two teams that won the CL in 99 and 08? The simple answer is no. This is the standard that SAF has set for this club and players of this ilk including Fellani aren't good enough.

None of our players now would get into those squads. Not even De Gea.

But if I had to force 3 players in there, it would be De Gea, Mata and Schweinsteiger.

 

[MileHighRed]

None of our players now would get into those squads. Not even De Gea.

But if I had to force 3 players in there, it would be De Gea, Mata and Schweinsteiger.

So you're telling me;Sweinstiger the player we saw a hand full of times this season gets into the squad? instead of who? and as for Mata?? No chance, he's not quick enough, can't defend and doesn't do enough as a forward who can't defend!

 

[carlosp]

I would definitely want Blind to stay, especially since we have the Europa League to contend as well. Yes we have the youngsters but with all our injuries and games i.e. Capitol One, Europa League, FA Cup and of course the PL to play through, there will be injuries and counting on the youngsters to pull us through is going to be bonkers. Another injury like Shaws will severely limit the squad again. I would prefer Blind over Depay to be honest.

Also, just read that Barca might get him for 18 million Euros. Ridiculously low price if indeed true.

 

[Jaybomb]

So you're telling me;Sweinstiger the player we saw a hand full of times this season gets into the squad? instead of who? and as for Mata?? No chance, he's not quick enough, can't defend and doesn't do enough as a forward who can't defend!

This is a squad that had the likes of Blomqvist, Butt, Cruyff, May, etc in it. You seriously think Mata and Bastian wouldn't get in?

 

[Red Pavan]

Blind would be great addition as CB at Barca. Not surprised about Mata but Blind can still play a vital role as a squad player in multiple positions.

 

[Varun]

Amazed at the number of people who believe losing Blind would be a disaster. The guy won't even be first choice backup in any of the positions, let alone a starter. Unless we send CBJ on loan in which case he'd be the 2nd choice LB.

 

[caid]

Good post. A lot of people say we are wasting Mata on the wings, but forget he started most of his career on the left for Valencia. Im not sure he totally lost it, more the other way round and had an 18 month purple patch at Chelsea. He is a good player and appears a top man as well, but he was never a signing we should have made in the first place, especially for the money paid.

I kind of agree with you on Blind. If I was Mourinho there would be other people moved on before Blind like Rojo, Fellaini for example in areas he can play with his versatility.....at the same time though, for me he is not a centra back, I have hated watching him play there. Ronald Koeman couldnt defend but was great on the ball....but this myth about Blinds anticipation astounds me, he is slow cant read flick ons or runs in the box and just doesnt have any pace to rectify these problems. He is a decent left back but I would much rather Bothwick Jackson has that position as cover for Shaw. So that leaves central midfield and Carrick looks like getting one more year, Schneiderlin has been pants but deserves one more year due to being a decent if over rated player at SOuthampton, also I can see Mensah devloping into a good defensive or box to box midfielder. Add to that other central midfielders we have and one or two more probably to come and personally it leads me to the conclusion he isnt really needed.

I'd keep blind above basically any of our other midfielders tbh (excluding mata and rooney because they're just different plaeyrs and its a pointless comparison)
Carrick has been great, probably our best midfielder again but hes getting on - also any shortcomings blind has, carrick has.
If were planning to use carrick at all we'll need to build the team to accommodate him somewhat.

Schweinsteiger is probably still a better player overall but his injury record makes him borderline irrelevant.
Hererra has had a lousy season, its seems a bit backwards to dump blind after 2 good years over hererra whos just come off the back of a really poor one.
Schneiderlin .... not too impressed with personally. I dunno, he didn't have a bad season. Be a bit harsh to criticise him. He seems very limited
Fellaini is a good number 10 but i still dont think hes a midfielder in the real sense. Play him there and your forced to go long and bypass midfield most of the time.

I'd be kind of bummed if we sold blind tbh.

 

[Offside]

This is why we should have brought Jose in when Fergie left. He is not afraid to bin fan faviroutes, like what Mata and Blind have been since they came, if it brings success. He showed this at Chelsea getting rid of Mata and Lampard to win a first title in 5 years.

Compare this to Moyes, who when he took over in 2013, it was clear we needed a few changes, players moving on etc - despite winning the title easily. Moyes just did not have the bottle - playing it safe thinking he would at least get top 4 with a title winning team.

Whether you agree with these 2 players going or not it certainly feels like the foundations of the team are truely being tampered with. It's all well and good Van Gaal getting rid of Cleverley and Welbeck etc. but Mata and Blind are good players. But, as one poster said they aren't 1999 or 2008 standard. Getting rid of players like this proves to me we finally have a serious winner who's interest is success for Man Utd - no sentimental value in any individuals.

 

[ti vu]

Blind would be great addition as CB at Barca. Not surprised about Mata but Blind can still play a vital role as a squad player in multiple positions.

. Barcelona can't afford another softie in defense. Pique biggest asset is his game reading ability, yet Pique is way more physically strong and faster than Blind, while not being athletic. Mascherano, Matthieu, Vermaelen all athletic. Most important thing, he is a CB by trade. Perhaps Bale skinned Batra, who is never starter or good enough for Barcelona, gives people this impression about all Barcelona CB?