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Post by matt on Aug 18, 2015 21:27:19 GMT
If the manager is desperate to keep Rooney in the side I wouldn't be completely against Rooney dropping to number 10 in this system behind a top drawer striker with Memphis left and Pedro right. Yeah I agree. But where is LVG going to find that striker? To be honest, we don't need a big-profile 50M+ signing. As long as we get someone who can add the so much needed pace, power and strength and good ball retention, we would be fine. We have excellent players in the middle now, able to provide assists, through-balls, control the play, etc. But we lack a real presence up top, someone to harass the defence, able to take a cracker now and then, to be at the end of crosses, a constant threat. Rooney no longer is that player, as much as I think he once was. LVG won't convince me that he is happy with his options upfront. Same with our GK. I'd rather take Lindegaard than Romero. A CB would be good, but that's not the priority. We still have Rojo who was rock solid when not injured, Jones who is not as bad as people say, and Evans who is a good back-up, not to mention Blackett and McNair. Best defence in England from November isn't a coincidence. But we don't have a world-class striker. And we need one. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2015 21:28:39 GMT
I'd much prefer the 4-3-3 as well but for whatever reason the manager has settled on 4-2-3-1 for now. Maybe thinks it gives the team more stability. I have to say even though Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger/Carrick were playing as holding midfielders they did get forward at every opportunity.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2015 21:30:45 GMT
I don't know who that striker is either. I would only take someone of very high quality though, otherwise it's pointless. In an ideal world you'd love a Benzema or a Muller or someone of that ilk but we all know that's extremely unlikely.
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Post by Dave on Aug 18, 2015 21:34:33 GMT
LVG wants more of a second striker.
I'd keep Januzaj going, did well tonight, held the ball up much better. Some lovely turns, trickery you can see his confidence is growing, I see a bit of Muller in him and he can go grow into that position.
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Post by matt on Aug 18, 2015 21:35:01 GMT
As stupid as it will sound for many, I wish we hadn't sold Welbeck because he is the profile we're lacking. Yes I am aware of his flaws, but he offered pace, power, great spirit/commitment and hard work, great ball retention and link up play, and we sold him because of RVP and Falcao, and where are they now? Welbeck was not everyone's cup of tea, but he offered something different, something we're missing in this system imo.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2015 21:36:17 GMT
I do think Pedro will make a difference though, even with Rooney staying as a striker. He's far more difficult to defend against than Mata and he has that creative speed that LVG desperately wants, Rooney should be able to find more space and if he has the desire which has normally never been in question he will get chances.
My issue is with Rooney being the only quality option. He still has pace and he's always been relatively powerful but he just looks so static at the minute. There's no movement and when the ball does come to him he's slow in processing what he wants to do or it just bounces straight back off him. Just look at the own goal vs Spurs, I couldn't believe how long it took him to sort his feet out.
Newcastle are one of his favourite clubs to play against historically so we'll see how he gets on at the weekend. Needs to show some improvement though.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2015 21:39:45 GMT
LVG wants more of a second striker. I'd keep Januzaj going, did well tonight, held the ball up much better. Some lovely turns, trickery you can see his confidence is growing, I see a bit of Muller in him and he can go grow into that position. I agree on Januzaj, his all round game was much better tonight compared to the Villa game. |
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Post by Dave on Aug 18, 2015 21:40:33 GMT
He's always a bit of a slow starter once he runs off those pies he'll be fine.
I'm glad LVG took him off today shows he isn't immune.
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Post by tr0y on Aug 18, 2015 22:03:09 GMT
I'm happy with that. I think it was a vastly improved performance, albeit against a relatively poor side. It's just brilliant to be back in Europe.
There are a lot of positives to take. Memphis was outstanding, Smalling was brilliant again, the fullbacks impressed.We can't afford to get complacent, but we're half way there.
On to Newcastle.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2015 22:06:30 GMT
Boss reckons he wants to give Memphis tongue, think I'd run if I were him. :lol:
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Post by Rach1986 on Aug 19, 2015 7:31:02 GMT
www.skysports.com/football/news/15115/9955773/man-utd-3-1-club-brugge-five-talking-points-as-memphis-shinesMan Utd 3-1 Club Brugge: Five talking points as Memphis shines Magic MemphisThis is what Manchester United paid £31m for. Van Gaal described Memphis as "one of the greatest talents of his age" following his arrival from PSV Eindhoven this summer, and the winger showed his class with two breath-taking finishes and an assist on a scintillating European debut. It was the kind of thrilling, almost arrogant, performance that has rarely been seen at Old Trafford since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure six years ago - and it was exactly what they have been crying out for. Over the course of the 90 minutes, Memphis managed more shots on target and as many goals as United mustered between them in their underwhelming 1-0 Premier League wins over Tottenham and Aston Villa. But the statistics only tell part of the story. For the first goal, Memphis used a combination of chest, head and feet as he chipped the ball over his marker and drilled a stunning low finish into the bottom corner, and his second was even better. Daley Blind spotted Memphis' clever run off the left flank, and he unleashed an unstoppable long-range effort with that lethal right foot. His late cross for Fellaini's third goal was inch-perfect, too. The only criticism of his performance is that he could have had more, but it feels as though Memphis is a superstar in the making. Fellaini's big momentMemphis' goals were a joy to watch, but Fellaini's was undoubtedly the most important. This was the Belgian's first appearance since his sending off against Hull on the final day of last season, and it could prove to be a priceless contribution. "That's a huge difference, going to Brugge with a two-goal advantage as opposed to the one having conceded an away goal," said Sky Sports pundit Matt Le Tissier, and United's jubilant celebrations spoke of their relief. Indeed, the Belgian side would have been more than happy to escape Old Trafford with a 2-1 reverse having had one effort on goal to United's 19. Fellaini only had eight touches of the ball following his 84th-minute introduction, but the goal is a timely reminder of the threat he poses in the opposition box. Rooney's struggles continueThere were occasional touches of class from Rooney, notably a deft backheel from which Memphis should have scored in the second half, but this was another unconvincing centre-forward performance from United's faultering captain. Rooney's goalless streak now stretches to nine games for United, and while Memphis was busy peppering the Brugge goal with shots, the England man is still yet to muster a single effort on target this season. As against Tottenham and Aston Villa, Rooney struggled to make an impact on the game, and in the Sky Sports studio Le Tissier admitted it "wasn't his night". Excluding Carrick, who was withdrawn at half-time, Rooney had fewer touches than any of United's outfield starters, and his failure to hit the target from four attempts on goal laid bare his struggles in front of goal.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 8:06:36 GMT
Smalling was so dominant it became funny to watch last night, I genuinely think their No.10 had nightmares last night about the big black bloke who kept knocking him over.
I was very happy with last night, but for a 10 minute spell before the second goal I thought we carried a massive threat every time we got forward. Rooney was massively improved, still a few dodgy passes but his movement and his touch were fine. I've not heard/read much about Januzaj since the game but I thought he was absolutely brilliant, neither their midfield or their defence had any clue what to do with him or who should pick him up. Mata was classy and Memphis was obviously brilliant.
The opposition obviously weren't that good but the way the play-off draw is set up, you have to be a pretty decent team (2nd/3rd in a strong league rather than Champions in a piss poor one) to be in it. They got to the quarters of the Europa last season so can't be too bad.
The only negative for me was Carrick, and not because of the own goal. This system doesn't suit him in the slightest, he's too high up the pitch and too often has to receive the ball with his back to goal which simply isn't his game. He still didn't have a particularly bad game, he jut struggles to hold any kind of influence in this setup. Bastian to start on Saturday.
Our full backs currently look the best they have as a pairing since Brown and Evra dominated all in 07/08.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2015 8:45:32 GMT
Agree with most of what you say. Even though Rooney's touch was much better he was still largely ineffectual and slow for me but there was definite improvement. Mata also didn't have a great impact on the game and I thought he was slow on the ball like Rooney.
Januzaj did exactly what the manager asked of him after the Villa game, his all round game was fantastic last night and he's done more than enough to keep his place in the side.
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Post by Mani Khatra on Aug 19, 2015 9:02:12 GMT
Januzaj and Memphis linked up and rotated positions really well. A couple of over hit passes but a very good and confident performance from Adnan. Also it was funny hearing the brugge fans sing glory glory man utd.
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Post by Mani Khatra on Aug 19, 2015 9:37:42 GMT
Would like to see the free behind rooney be Memphis Ander and adnan against Newcastle
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