22 Jul 2017 19:28:47
My take from the first three pre season games is this. Lukaku looks very willing to work hard for the team. He looks committed to working harder than ever and making more runs in behind and pulling defenders out of their comfort zone, which we missed with Zlatan (who plays more back to goal) . Inevitably those runs cause disorganisation amongst the defensive set up of the opposition, therefore allowing the other attacking players more space.
Another big positive has been the confidence of Rashford, Lingard and particularly Mikki. All quick players who enjoy space to run into and break the lines. I personally see Mikki being like a new signing if he continues how he has started. Personally i'd like to see him playing number 10 as he has the creativity and ability to break the lines and feed other runners around him. Zlatan didn't offer these runs last season, so maybe the arguement of Lukaku only offering his goals isn't true, maybe it has a positive knock on effect for the runners around him.
This theory will also see improvements in Pogbas effectiveness as he has superb vision and range of passing. I personally disagree that we need loads of players to improve us, IMO that is basic tunnel vision. One player can potentially cause a domino effect throughout the team. We didn't score enough last season, and that's what cost us. Bringing in a player who will create attacking spaces and make attacking runs for the creative players to assist and run into could be the solution. On the other hand, it may not be so effective versus the teams who chose to sit deep. Only time will tell I suppose.
I would be happy going into the season with our defensive midfield options of Carrick, Herrera and Pereira. i'd definitely side with giving Pereira opportunities ahead of signing a solid 7/ 10 player like Matic. Unless its a player going to make immediate significant impact then buying, buying, buying isn't the answer IMO.
The positions we need to address are RB in this window or maybe next summer, left back needs sorting, either Shaw pulling his finger out or finding significant improvement elsewhere if available, and possibly a forward. But again, unless its Sanchez or that calibre i'd rather go with the players we have, giving them an opportunity in a more fluid attack than previous. Just my take :) buying isn't always the answer.
22 Jul 2017 20:06:49
A LB should be a priority. In 3 years I've seen nothing to convince Shaw is the answer. RB probably needs addressing soon. Tony is great but has no end product. I think we need another option in CM. If we lose Hererra or Pogba to injury we're short. Fellaini isn't the answer. Also think we need a wide forward, but needs to be a real top player. A Sanchez or a Bale.
22 Jul 2017 20:18:55
Herrera, Pogba, Pereira, Carrick, Blind should be sufficient enough for 2 CM positions. i'd like to see Herrera and Pereira play the DCM role. Pereira more than held his own in that role against the big teams in Spain, and that was in a poor Granada team. He surely deserves a go after such performances against better teams whilst playing in a weaker team. I don't know if YouTube has any such footage and I know you can't go off that, but it'll hopefully give you an idea, I'm personally excited to see him step up for us.
22 Jul 2017 21:05:21
Pereira deserves a chance, Carrick should have been replaced, his legs have gone. Blind should be moved on.
22 Jul 2017 22:07:37
Blind is a very good footballer. He may not be blessed with pace or super strength
But his footballing brain is exceptional
He would be my first choice at cdm.
22 Jul 2017 22:20:42
Carrick's legs are far from gone! He's as fit as a fiddle still and we play better with him in the side than without. Admittedly this needs addressing for a long term replacement, but to dismiss our best midfielder is ridiculous.
22 Jul 2017 22:26:12
Carrick will do a job more than likely. Like last season, he started strong. Midway through he suffered as he was playing weekly. If he plays 1 in 2/ 3 he'll be fine. Blinds versatility to do a job in a number of positions when we have an injury/ suspension is good. can't have a squad of world beaters. But agreed Fellaini isn't up to scratch haha.
22 Jul 2017 22:52:13
Stand, a bit harsh mate, Blind is a fantastic squad player and has rarely let us down. Carrick may be bobbing on but if used properly he still had a role to play, I think Carrick has been under appreciated since he arrived. We need 1 or 2 top quality players and we have a very strong squad.
22 Jul 2017 23:21:24
Carrick was brilliant the first ten games last season, he had a poor second half to the season. He is one of the PL most underrated players. But we can't hang onto him forever. Blinds lack of pace means he gets caught out at LB very often, and I don't see him in CM. he's best at CB for us but I'd have rojo ahead of him there.
23 Jul 2017 00:41:07
Stand,
Carrick hardly played in the first 10 games and when Jose realised we play better with him in the team he got lots of game time and we improved. If memory serves me right we didn't lose a game for about carrick's first 20 starts last season.
23 Jul 2017 02:37:01
Some good posts in this thread.
I agree 1 player with a different style to his predecessor can Jane a domino effect but i don't think any team that needs the likes of fellaini to start 20 odd games in midfield and blind at cb will challenge for the title. Yes both give their all but over the course of a long league season they will be exposed and that's what has happend over the last 4 years 5th 4th 5th 6th. i'm not doubting their professionalism or effort and i'm obviously not blaming them alone others like rooney rojo smalling even playing a converted winger right back every man and his dog left back and a no10 on both wings leads me to believe that our league finishing position for the last 4 years is primarily down to the players not being good enough. I think if jose gets his 2 more new signings that will mean he will have signed 8 with 7 remaining my guess is those 7 will play most of the games they are available for. The other 4 being toni shsw ddg and herera and i would suggest 2 of those 4 will be replaced so jose obviously feels the players he inherited were not good enough either and that's why 70% of the ' first 11' will bane been replaced within 12 months of him arriving.
23 Jul 2017 11:16:55
Gds, I meant in Carrick's first ten games. We didn't lose a game for a long time but we weren't winning a lot of them. We were a better side with him in to begin with but his influence deminished as the season wore on. If we're going to play a 4-2-3-1 I don't think we can play carrick there much longer. My opinion.
23 Jul 2017 13:07:16
Can't understand why we'd pay a whack of money for a big, slow CDM like Matic, when we have a much more intelligent player in Blind already capable of playing that role.
23 Jul 2017 13:10:15
What gives you the idea that Fellaini and Blind at CB will play 20+ games this season. can't just presume what happened last season will happen this season.
Lukaku has come in and offers more movement up top. Hopefully allowing others to excel as mentioned.
Lindelof has come in and added another CB who, touch wood, won't get injured for large parts.
Pereira has come back off a personally successful loan, playing regular in a strong league therefore having a full season under his belt.
Mikki has come back looking strong, fit and very confident. We didn't see him for half last season, and his form only really picked up the backend of the season.
Rashford has worked hard on his fitness and strength and again looks sharp and confident so far this pre season. Hopefully his finishing will be much improved through experience of playing his first full season.
Jesse has looked good running into spaces created by others so far. I've been on the fence with him for a while, but who knows, he's only young and similar to rashford that he may well improve with experiences of another full season.
I do not see Fellaini playing a big role this season, or at least I hope not. I agree that if he does, its not good enough to really push.
23 Jul 2017 13:15:07
Carrick is more than capable of giving us something this season. Just not on a week to week basis one would assume. he's a very very good footballer and if you listen to any current or previous player, they all echo the same responses. Underrated and still a very influential player. And if you watch any of the training sessions so far this pre season, he doesn't look physically out of place by any stretch.