Chance for our players to show guts and self confidence.
The Manager's press conference today at 12:00 BST
- Thread starter RedMachine03
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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.
The fact that Jones and Blind played on despite injuries in the derby is commendable but in hindsight its frustrating as we have no holding midfielder left!
I'm glad LvG isn't going to try the Fellaini at DM experiment, that would be a mega disaster. Rooney can cover in midfield but he completely lacks the positional discipline to do what Carrick does. Will be a huge test for Van Gaal's coaching to see if he can make Rooney sit deep, play short and smart passes instead of making forward runs and repeatedly playing hollywood balls from deep.
I'm glad LvG isn't going to try the Fellaini at DM experiment, that would be a mega disaster. Rooney can cover in midfield but he completely lacks the positional discipline to do what Carrick does. Will be a huge test for Van Gaal's coaching to see if he can make Rooney sit deep, play short and smart passes instead of making forward runs and repeatedly playing hollywood balls from deep.
Yeah he should just play it to the forwards, no hollywood or pointless long balls, keep it simple, lets seat deep and hit them on the counter.
Valencia in Herrera' s position, Rafael at RB. Herrera at DM. Should sort that.
So did anything else happen at the presser?
Does anything else matter?
For me why weaken your forward line with so many injuries already? Fellaini holding and Di Maria in his position and Shaw and McNair to replace Jones and Blind. Be a stroll in the park for Chelsea's defence if Falcao or RVP are up front. Fellaini has shown he can follow instruction with his recent form so surely as an actual midfielder he is a safer bet than Rooney in a DM role?
Fellaini lacks the ability to make those short quick passes, create space for himself and the occasional incisive through ball from deep.
Also I dont think he has much awareness regarding who's around him, up front he just muscles his way past midfielders and even if loses the ball, the midfield is there to cover. but at DM, losing the ball is going to be a disaster with players like Costa, Hazard, Willian and Oscar around
Also I dont think he has much awareness regarding who's around him, up front he just muscles his way past midfielders and even if loses the ball, the midfield is there to cover. but at DM, losing the ball is going to be a disaster with players like Costa, Hazard, Willian and Oscar around
Well I'd just like some positive stuff as well. Or van Gaal taking the piss out of some journo.
Jesus. What have I woken in to. It's like I woke up into hell
Not a disaster if Blind was available, but now total disaster.
Neither do I but he's probably the best option.. I don't think Herrera can sit deep, he loves to pass and move. Make runs into the box and get forward. Which was LvG benched him for so long earlier in the season, we need someone who will be content to sit deep and control the game from there, be in a position to help out the defense in case of a counter attack..
So were Rooney's, wouldn't you agree?
Fellaini as DM for the biggest fouling contest of the season against Oscar the little cnut
It's a guessing game for both managers really. If Mourinho was thinking about playing Zouma to combat Fellaini, he's probably second guessing where Fellaini will play now. It's a disaster for us though, no doubt.
It's a guessing game for both managers really. If Mourinho was thinking about playing Zouma to combat Fellaini, he's probably second guessing where Fellaini will play now. It's a disaster for us though, no doubt.
Well Valencia doesn't have any of the attributes that would assist him in playing centrally. The current system we are using works because Fellaini is utilised further up the pitch as he doesn't perform well in a defensive-mid position (liable to foul, lacks the required turn of pace of track back). What order would the three play in?
Our current system works, and will probably make it easier for Rooney to emulate the Carrick role (obviously he is nowhere near Carricks standard) but he just needs to sweep up, be willing to take the ball, and move it forward quickly.
I didnt mean Valencia would play centrally. He'd play as a RM.
Come to think of it Herrera would be the best option for a nr. 6 imo.
Fellaini as DM with Di Maria playing the Fellaini role.
or
Rooney as DM with Falcao playing up top.
Neither sound very good to me.
or
Rooney as DM with Falcao playing up top.
Neither sound very good to me.
Can Hererra play holding midfield?
Harsh on Smalling. He has played quite a few in a row now, and has certainly been the standout CB. The Jones injuries are frustrating though, and seem more frequent. At least this season anyway.
Not really. Only once made more than 20 league appearances in the past 5 seasons. Averaging about 50% of our league games. Not great tbf.
Well he has 19 this season, so he is about to surpass that. Also that can't be just put down to injuries. Sometimes he wasn't picked when fit. Obviously a part of it is injuries though. Just thought it was strange to criticise Smalling considering he is fit (and has been for a while). The Jones part I get though.
We might end up playing a back 3 in the game..
McNair-Smalling -Blackett with Young and Valencia playing as wing backs, Rooney and Herrera in midfield and Fellani-Falcao-Mata up front.
If Fellaini plays on the left he'll be up against Ivanovic, would it make sense to switch him to the right and let him take him chances with Azpillicueta and Chelsea's DM (Zouma i guess going by the press)
McNair-Smalling -Blackett with Young and Valencia playing as wing backs, Rooney and Herrera in midfield and Fellani-Falcao-Mata up front.
If Fellaini plays on the left he'll be up against Ivanovic, would it make sense to switch him to the right and let him take him chances with Azpillicueta and Chelsea's DM (Zouma i guess going by the press)
Fellaini is a better defensive midfielder than Rooney. He's far more likely to disrupt their attacks and stop them from cutting through us. Keep the latter upfront or as an attacking midfielder at worst.
Breaking News: Van Gaal out for 5 weeks
His injury record is almost identical. Slightly better, if anything, in that he managed 26 and 29 league appearances in two out of his five seasons at the club.
Smalling's best ever is 25, second best is 19 (and counting) this season.
I knew RvP would be desperate to get back in the team but this systematic nuking of he rest of the players is unexpected!
Moyes called up as an emergency loan.
That surprises me actually. Oh well, fair enough then. I think things are turning around for Smalling though, and I think his injuries will be less frequent. Not basing that on anything other than a gut feeling though.
Fecking Kompany and his rash challenge on Blind, the bastard. How he only got away with a yellow is outrageous. With Blind available, it would've been fine.
I had the same gut feeling about both of them!
Jones is a wrecking ball, I don't think he will ever change too much. There is hope for Smalling though.
He didn't have any injuries in his first season but was just the first choice cover for Rio & Vidic. Spent most of the season on the bench apart from when Rio was out.
11/12 and 12/13 were torrid though and he think he broke his ankle in one of those seasons. Unfortunately it let a far less talented defender like Evans get ahead of him in the pecking order for the CB spot. We'd have been much better off if Chris got all those games and the ones he wasted at RB.
Giggs should get the boots on 
I've never wanted Jones to be fit more than now. Jones and Smalling make me feel better about having Rooney in midfield.
Mind games.
LvG: "I hope that we can recover two of them (Blind and Jones) but Carrick and Rojo are out."
Hope. If we can get these two back I'd be delighted.
Hope. If we can get these two back I'd be delighted.
De Gea
Valencia Smalling Jones Shaw
Blind
Herrera Fellaini
Mata Rooney Young
Valencia Smalling Jones Shaw
Blind
Herrera Fellaini
Mata Rooney Young
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Not sure why people are shoehorning Rooney or Herrera into the DM role, id rather 3 in midfield, noone can cover Carrick if Blind Rojo and Jones are out. We need to change thr position. Id like to see:
David De Gea
Rafael Smalling McNair* Shaw
Valencia Rooney Herrera
ADM Falcao Young
* Evans if fit
Rooney would be more supported and not need to be as disciplined with Valencias work rate next to him, but its the Rafael.. Or curious case of..
David De Gea
Rafael Smalling McNair* Shaw
Valencia Rooney Herrera
ADM Falcao Young
* Evans if fit