I'd love to hear Sir Alex and Giggs' views on what is required of a CM because I can't think of another manager who would've played Giggs in CM in so many games. And then there was of course Park-Rafael in 2011. Giggs looks to have taken on a similar POV given how he's using Kagawa. It makes sense to me because he does pretty much everything Cleverley does but offers more going forward and it is a way to try and fit our best players into the team at the same time but it's just not something I could ever see another manager at a top club doing.
Southampton vs Manchester United (11.05.2014)
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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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Not surprising. We've a very important match for youngsters three days from now.
Also Giggsy
Welbeck will be doing pretty much the same job as he did against Madrid last season, I would hope so anyway.
Anyway in 3 more hours we will never have to think about this season again.
Anyway in 3 more hours we will never have to think about this season again.
Mata behind RVP...... The dream
Until Rooney comes back and fecks it all up
Until Rooney comes back and fecks it all up
Final U21 may be for Wilson. Lawrence hasn't play for U21 that much this season.
Yep, agreed. Looks good to me, Fletcher needs to be very disciplined though. Not pleased with Smalling at right back, but oh well, I hope this crap stops next season.
Kagawa vs Wanyama.
Skills vs Strength
I really hope this is the last time we ever see Smalling at right back.
Januzaj, Mata, Kagawa, Welbeck & RVP in the same starting 11.
Interesting lineup! Is it a 4-3-3, or is Kagawa playing in a midfield-two again?
-------- Fletcher ------
---- Mata - Kagawa ---
Januzaj - RVP - Welbeck
-------- Fletcher ------
---- Mata - Kagawa ---
Januzaj - RVP - Welbeck
So we've moved from defenders into midfield to number 10s in midfield. What's wrong with playing midfielders in midfield? Other than that I like the line up.
Smalling at right-back... Why!? He's awful there. I was hoping Varela would start and Smalling at CB again.
Southampton are going to bully our midfield but nice to see Lawrence on the bench.
Southampton are going to bully our midfield but nice to see Lawrence on the bench.
Looks a lot better like that. Wish Smalling didn't have to play RB, though. Other than that, it looks like a good attacking line-up, who should have enough guile to bag a few goals. Could be a bit open, though, but who cares, eh?
Kagawa will probably get shrugged off trying to make any forward movements.
Fun line-up
A very interesting line up. Kagawa will play in CM role just like against Hull City. Very attacking as well. Creativity, pace, strength and with RVP the lethal one. I will be surprise if this game will end 0-0
Going to be a cracking last day of football. Think we'll win it 1-2.
I'm not sure why people are complaining about Kagawa in CM. We're trying him in a new position with meaningless matches to go. He could turn out to be someone like Modric.
Also another blow for Giggsy loves playing with two wingers out wide brigade. No Tony or Young or Nani now.
Also another blow for Giggsy loves playing with two wingers out wide brigade. No Tony or Young or Nani now.
Seems like the rumours about Kagawa being trained at CM were true after all.
Maybe Van Gaal told Giggs to play the boys like this. It's weird to see Giggs changing from the flat 4-4-2 he played on the first two matches to a formation with Kagawa on the midfield, Lawrence, Wilson in the team etc. Now it's a weird 4-1-4-1/4-3-3 hybrid. I'm telling it's all Van Gaal's idea.
Has Cleverley started a game under Giggs in his short tenure?
4-1-4-1 technically but not really sure how well it suits Mata and Kagawa. If we do get Carvalho or another beast of a DM, then it might be worth trying out.
Started the first one and was awful.
I can understand Kagawa in midfield a little more this time around, Southampton will press and Kagawa could go some way to nullifying that.
Started the first one and he was shite.
Yes. Against Norwich.
Wanyama will have Kagawa for breakfast, then for dinner aswell if we are not playing in a 4-3-3. Hopefully, Welbeck will support him in midfield if occupying a 4-2-3-1.
Nevertheless, what I like about this lineup is a possibility of a central partnership of Kagawa and Mata ala iniesta/Xavi.
This could be a future look at our football under Louis Van gaal.
. Hopefully, Welbeck will support him in midfield if occupying a 4-2-3-1.Nevertheless, what I like about this lineup is a possibility of a central partnership of Kagawa and Mata ala iniesta/Xavi.
Fletcher(Carvalho)
Mata - Kagawa(Kroos)
Januzaj - Rvp - Welbeck
Mata - Kagawa(Kroos)
Januzaj - Rvp - Welbeck
This could be a future look at our football under Louis Van gaal.
Interesting line up that. Will be interesting to see where everyone actually ends up playing, whether Kagawa stays deeper or Fletcher's left on his own a bit.
I suppose this is the only way Kagawa realistically has a long term future here. I'm enjoying Giggs' experimenting in these last few meaningless games. Feels like it takes the pressure of the players shoulders too.
Because we don't have any that are up to the job perhaps?
It's like Giggs was reading the CAF last night when I said Kagawa or Mata would be better served in central midfield as opposed to the wings
Is it not a 4-4-2 diamond with Fletcher anchoring, Adnan and Kagawa on the wings, and Mata behind RVP and Welbeck?
Also glad to not see Carrick today to be honest. Even though Fletcher has his bad moment, he is capable of taking risk and making the progressive passes. Beit, he would not have to with Kagawa and Mata alongside him.
please pm if anybody has a decent river.
"number 10's"
The thing that defines a "10" is passing, now what should be the main attribute of a central midfielder?
Exactly. Seems people would rather persist with those who have played there and failed all season rather than try something new. Granted it might not work but you don't know unless you try.
What happened to Rafael and Evans? I haven't seen them for ages.
I want LVG to bring some right back from the Eredivisie or sth, if Varela is not ready yet.
I want LVG to bring some right back from the Eredivisie or sth, if Varela is not ready yet.
First I hear of this, who was reporting it?
Not quite sure Kagawa has the engine to play cente midfield. Modric, on the other hand, use to be a very hard working attacking midfielder. Kagawa seems to trot around the pitch, at times.
As for our wingers, I can imagine Giggs will tell Januzaj and Welbeck to stay wide. With Kagawa and Mata in the middle, we don't want to make our play too narrow with our wingers always tucking in. We need to be looking to stretch Southampton's back four with our wingers trying to get in behind. I thought Januzaj looked a lot better in the second half against Hull when he stayed wide, where he could run at the full back. He gave Figeuroa a torrid time.
Excited to see how we do with this line-up. And it against a team in Southampton who will give us a good test.
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