Manchester United Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 12/13

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

Nah, I'll pass thanks.

It's critique by the way, not critic.

alchemist33 wrote: »

By the same token, you could join Anderson at Old Trafford and demonstrate your mastery of football to those mere amateurs

The system was most interesting when van Persie replaced Welbeck, because it demonstrated the flexibility of the front three. First it seemed Rooney was going to the left, then van Persie moved to that side, then Nani went over there. Van Persie was later seen defending the right flank, then it was Rooney’s turn to move to that side. In short, with the exception of Nani (and his replacement, Ashley Young) not popping up in the centre, the three attacking players played all three positions after van Persie’s introduction. The block of three were interchangeable, but Kagawa’s position was permanent.

For now, the shape and system will need more work before it becomes fully functional, but the signs here were more promising than the scoreline suggests. United’s use of the ball in midfield was generally very good – they passed quickly, they got Kagawa involved in the play a great deal, despite the fact he was marshalled by two Everton central midfielders, and Welbeck made good runs from wide positions in behind the defence on at least two occasions to find himself apparently in one-on-one situations, though he was denied by good challenges on both occasions.

The system broke down in the penalty box largely because of a particularly poor display from Rooney, who didn’t look 100% fit and didn’t offer anything like the movement required for a lone striker. Kagawa’s performance was encouraging, but often he looked up and Rooney wasn’t in a position to receive a clever pass. Sometimes he came towards play to get the ball, but there was rarely a reverse run into a striking position, and United ended up playing in front of Everton.

United’s problem here was a lack of physicality – not just at the back, but also in midfield. Having a creative number ten in conjunction with three forwards asks a great deal of the two central midfielders; Cleverley got stuck in but is a more creative player than he is a scrapper, while Scholes’ tackling has always been his weak spot, and he handicapped himself with a particularly silly early booking. The return of Carrick to midfield would be a slight improvement but not a solution.

United will have to focus upon ball retention to hide their lack of ball-winning ability, though few sides this season will exploit United’s physical weakness as expertly as Everton did here.

cloptrop wrote: »

I called him a poor mans yaya. I meant he looks like yaya. People want a yaya so bad they will buy an imitation one who isnt even a third the player yaya is.

stooge wrote: »

I'm not saying we should replace him or anything, just that he has a bit of work to do to become world class.

Roger Sterling wrote: »

I know that. But this idea that he's some kind of Yaya Toure clone based on him destroying makshift defenders by getting on the end of incesant long balls is typical knee jerk stuff from the likes of homerjay who has probably seen him play once or twice outside United games.

Roger Sterling wrote: »

Whats the difference between 4-2-3-1 and what we played last night exactly apart from where you write the names "on paper."

keane2097 wrote: »

Don't think there's any argument that RVP should play up front with Kagawa off him next time out is there? Rooney on the bench, Nani on the bench, Valencia at RM and Rafael at full back?

MagicMarker wrote: »

How's he gonna get match fit if he doesn't play any matches?