Agree with this. Last season he was almost as good as ever, and that was playing nearly as much football as he did in his 'plays every game' years.Age is nowt but a number. Evra is invincible. Freakishly fit. Giggs-like. I think he's got another 3 years at the top in him. Maybe more.
It's a wrong opinion. Baines is a superb crosser, but with Evra back on form last season they were equals defensively, and Evra is a brilliant dribbler of the ball, as good as any of our wingers except a top-form Nani. That's something Baines doesn't have in his locker. And Evra added goals last season too. Plus just watching him he's a higher calibre of player.It's an unpopular opinion but Baines would be an improvement over Evra.
Are you kidding me? One of the things that stick in my head about last season is Evra casually dropping back and us conceding a goal whilst the likes of Cleverley and Carrick try to cover for his ass.Agree with this. Last season he was almost as good as ever, and that was playing nearly as much football as he did in his 'plays every game' years.
You're thinking of the season before last. Last season he was much better on that front. Obviously there was the odd goal, but that's the same with any attacking full-back. Rafael was caught out a few times too.Are you kidding me? One of the things that stick in my head about last season is Evra casually dropping back and us conceding a goal whilst the likes of Cleverley and Carrick try to cover for his ass.
Had a great game the other day but he was nowhere near his best last season. He was still very good and I would not take Baines over him, but I think time and those 2 anomalous seasons have eroded the memory of how great Evra actually was. Consistent 8 and 9 out of 10 performances. That first half of 09/10...I honestly don't think I've ever seen anything like that from another full back. 2009 in general, actually; that was some way ahead of anything even Cole has ever produced.It's a wrong opinion. Baines is a superb crosser, but with Evra back on form last season they were equals defensively, and Evra is a brilliant dribbler of the ball, as good as any of our wingers except a top-form Nani. That's something Baines doesn't have in his locker. And Evra added goals last season too. Plus just watching him he's a higher calibre of player.
Evra is almost as good as he has ever been at the moment, back up there with the top few left backs in the world. Baines is great, and his crossing/free kick taking is indeed a great asset, but he's not the better player.
Cleverley? No you've definitely imagined that.Are you kidding me? One of the things that stick in my head about last season is Evra casually dropping back and us conceding a goal whilst the likes of Cleverley and Carrick try to cover for his ass.
This.feck Baines, if Pat needs a rest or is out, play Fabio.
The problem with Baines is that he's pretty old and would command high wages plus a £16m plus fee. I think we should look at a youngish prospect, but I'd struggle to name one.
Think he signed a contract extension this summer.Luke Shaw
I wouldn't say it was some way ahead of anything Cole produced, but I agree, he was at performing at an even higher level than he was last season. We've been very lucky to have him. His mentality and playing style has always gone hand in hand with United, brilliant player.Had a great game the other day but he was nowhere near his best last season. He was still very good and I would not take Baines over him, but I think time and those 2 anomalous seasons have eroded the memory of how great Evra actually was. Consistent 8 and 9 out of 10 performances. That first half of 09/10...I honestly don't think I've ever seen anything like that from another full back. 2009 in general, actually; that was some way ahead of anything even Cole has ever produced.
Baines is markidly better at crossing and set pieces, and a marginally better defender. Evra is a far better passer of the ball, his link-up play is superior and he's the better dribbler too. He's also far better in the air then Baines.It's an unpopular opinion but Baines would be an improvement over Evra. His crossing is significantly better and he would set RvP up with loads of chances. Anything over 15 million is too much though, and it seems a bit pointless to have both him and Evra in the same squad on 80k+ wages. I think if we don't sign a big name midfielder (which is looking very unlikely to happen now) such as Modric or Fab then we may well spend 18-20 million on this guy.
I wouldn't say it was some way ahead of anything Cole produced, but I agree, he was at performing at an even higher level than he was last season. We've been very lucky to have him. His mentality and playing style has always gone hand in hand with United, brilliant player.
Agree. He was clearly better than Cole on 2007-2009. I don't think that the assist stats were that much different from them, despite Cole having a beast playing upfront while United never had a striker who was that good in air. I think (speculation) that if Drogba played for us, Evra would have made a lot more assists than he did.He was at least matching him defensively and a lot more influential in the build up and our overall play than Cole has been for either Chelsea or Arsenal in my opinion. Take Evra out of our team and the entire style of play would've changed enormously. At times he was our main creative outlet, it was bizarre. Said it before on here but I think if his stats were better in terms of goals/assists he'd be seen by many as one of the best full backs ever.
This probably depends on how much you interpret 'some way' to mean. I mean it in the sense of 'significantly' and 'clearly' - there was a clear distance between the two in my opinion, that is to say. Cole has never put in consistently amazing performances like Evra has done, as he good he is.
Agree. He was clearly better than Cole on 2007-2009. I don't think that the assist stats were that much different from them, despite Cole having a beast playing upfront while United never had a striker who was that good in air. I think (speculation) that if Drogba played for us, Evra would have made a lot more assists than he did.
This is true in so many ways, probably more than he intended."I always say the biggest opponent for Manchester United is Manchester United."
Could be, would be very odd to have both if them especially in a World Cup year. I don't think evra does want to go though which makes it weird.The only possible reason I can see for us wanting Baines is that Evra would prefer to leave but has agreed to stay until we get a replacement in. Sounds weird but we can't have both of them, they're too good not to be starting. Evra wanted to leave once before and Fergie convinced him to stay.
From what Evra has been saying and from how motivated he's been looking on the pitch - he doesn't look like a bloke that wants to leave.The only possible reason I can see for us wanting Baines is that Evra would prefer to leave but has agreed to stay until we get a replacement in. Sounds weird but we can't have both of them, they're too good not to be starting. Evra wanted to leave once before and Fergie convinced him to stay.
From what Evra has been saying and from how motivated he's been looking on the pitch - he doesn't look like a bloke that wants to leave.
After the last two games, I absolutely do no want Baines replacing Evra.... because frankly, I think Evra offers us more as a footballer.
This is exactly why the Baines bid makes little to no sense.From what Evra has been saying and from how motivated he's been looking on the pitch - he doesn't look like a bloke that wants to leave.
After the last two games, I absolutely do no want Baines replacing Evra.... because frankly, I think Evra offers us more as a footballer.
Yep, having both Evra and Baines (and Fabio) looks a bit stupid to me. I wouldn't be against signing Baines but only if Evra wants to leave, and even then we should do everything in our power to convince Evra to stay for a year or two until Fabio becomes capable of starting.
He is 23 but he hasn't played that much. I would be happy if we give him 20-30 (as both a LB and RB) games this season and see how he develops. If he does well than we can promote him as our No.1 left back next season and leave Evra to go in France if he wants, or to leave them compete for that position. As much as I like him, it would be a very dangerous decision leaving Evra to go and not signing another left back, cause we still don't know if Fabio is ready yet, and more importantly if he has passed his injuries. So the best decision for me is having both Evra and Fabio this season, signing Baines would be the end of Fabio IMO. And I think that Fabio can become a better player than Baines.Fabio is 23. He should be capable of starting now.
That said we could just let Fabio and rafael fight it out for rb.
Moyes has him crossing from deep ala Baines.