13 Dec 2017 08:35:32
AJH,
There are things that you have mentioned in a post yesterday that I agree with and then there are things that I might have a different opinion on. So here's my two cents worth of whatever is popping in my head:
Yes, we have done well if you compare us to last season. We are in the knock-out stages of the CL, the FA Cup is still there and even the League Cup (for whatever it counts) . The PL is obviously a different story. Now I'm not going to whine about what has happened, coz it has and there is nothing that one can do about it. There were games where we should have done better.
Liverpool was in my opinion 2 massive points dropped. Stoke was another disaster (strong word, I know), Chelsea were not totally confident when we played them, I think, they were coming after a loss to Roma (not too sure) . And then the recent one City. We all know what we felt about that and we know Mou messed it up big time. And I think, it is safe to say that out of the 4 games mentioned above, Mou messed up all of em (slightly harsh, but just my opinion) .
Now, coming on the argument about winger vs midfielders, I think we need both and I think Mou knew that. He knew offer little from the sides going forward, all of us know Valencia can't cross the ball and Young is not consistent enough, though is better than the others that are there. We also know that Mou tried to sign Perisic and it did not happen for whatever reason, maybe it's the money, maybe Inter did not want to sell, who knows.
But what one does know is the fact that when you are the manager of Manchester United, are you not supposed to have a back-up plan in case Plan A doesn't work? And that was for the left side of the team, what about the right hand side? Was Bale plan A, if not then who was it? If that didn't work then who was the back-up? Surely, you can't just have one option, right?
For the centre of the park, the problem is we have solid holding/ defensive midfielder in Matic and then we have Pogba, who is not your typical holding midfielder, rather, he might just be a box to box midfielder. Now, we all want Pogba to showcase what he's worth inside the oppositions half and not get bogged down by too much defending. But, when that happens, it makes Matic look vulnerable and he can't really do the job alone then.
So, does this mean that we let go of the two in the middle formation? Instead, do we look at a three man midfield? Possibly, Matic + Another CM (no name here) + Pogba and with that, we have a 3 in the front? Lukaku + Martial + Rashford (Mikhi + Lingard + Mata as subs, whatever suits people) . Do you think this formation can work? This way, not only do we solve the problem of being outnumbered in the middle, we also have pace on the wings, which is good.
One more thing that I have noticed every time we play is that out team just doesn't form triangles when we play a short passing game. There is support through the lines, but never through the middle, which baffles me, coz if you want to play a passing game (I don't mean a 'Barca-ish' game) you need to create triangles or maybe that's just my thinking.
All in all, I think results have improved, but nothing drastic has been changed. We are defeating teams we are supposed to, but it's the defensive minded approach against the big ones that are costing us. Certain players need to step up and take command of the game, certain players need to put in some extra hours in the training ground.
13 Dec 2017 10:08:28
I think the meltdown has been a bit over played. We were beaten by the better team on the day, the one that is further on with there plan, and one that can out spend us.
2nd is nothing to start crying about, and Jose will know what he needs but just doesn't have unlimited funds and time to do it. If he did our midfield would have been fixed and so would our RB and LB positions a bit like what city did last window with RB LB and midfielders brought in.
Lastly I don't think our midfield can go toe to toe with sides without pogba. Herrera is no where good enough this season he has gone backwards and i'm not getting into Fellaini, I don't think he will play much now he wants to leave.
13 Dec 2017 10:48:42
FZZ,
I'm not talking about there being a meltdown, I'm just stating a few things and by no means is that me panicking.
I don't think City can outspend us. They are attracting good players, but so are we. I don't know for sure, but I doubt city outbid us for any player, at least not since the time Mou has come in. I think a lot has to do with the player wanting to work for a particular manager (not too sure) .
City spent a bomb in the summer and they didn't really sell their players for a lot of money, so it wasn't like they balanced their buying through selling. United did the same. Yes, we need a RB and LB and that means clearing deadwood, but I think the budget was available to Mou (Again, just what I think) .
I agree, our midfield without Pogba is incomplete and whenever he isn't playing we can see how we simply by-pass our central players. Maybe, Mou could try and strengthen our central area in January.
13 Dec 2017 11:04:43
It will be interesting to see how we progress in midfield JMS model this season was to have 5 pogba matic Carrick Herrera and Fellini . Mctommay has been used maybe due to the Carrick issues and Mata Miki and lingaard are more of a ten or wide players . Come the seasons end Carrick and fellani may not be with us and Herrera is using up most of his credit for his good form 7 month ago . Pogba and matic look as good as any two in the league but quite often face 3 . Without either matic or pogba it's easy to fear the worst against good sides.
13 Dec 2017 17:39:37
Raghav, good post mate. I think, we have the players to compete but for whatever reason we rarely leave look fluid. There have been spells and moments but nothing sustained, even the 4-0 wins were a little stop and start.
I think there is potential in our team that remains untapped and it is up to Jose to get it out. I’m not sure he will though, he will ship some out and ship some more in, which seems a little clinical. I want to see what he’s made of and what he can get out of the players we have.