[#07]

When I saw Rooney go to the left of the diamond yesterday part of me thought 'wherefore not Ander?'

Still, I'm sure he'll get his chance. He's been a bit inhibited since he broke his ribs, barring that game against Hull. However, even when he's at 6 outta 10 level his natural game quickens our pace. We need that.

 

[Raw]

"Entrenamiento terminado , felices por la victoria de ayer // training finished, we are happy to get the 3 points yesterday"

At least he seems happy at United despite his limited appearances.

 

[Sarni]

Perhaps but I still don't think he has been as good as others.

Let's agree to disagree, IMO he has the best passing range of all our midfielders and has been very good this season. Funnily all our best offensive performances coincide with him being on the pitch (QPR, first 60 minutes versus Leicester, Hull). Fellaini, Blind and Carrick have all been good this season but there is no issue playing two of them alongside Herrera who offers something different.

IMO the main issue with him is he is not Strootman. Van Gaal will try to get rid of him in the Summer and replace him with his favourite.

 

[united_99]

I know this is not United's problem but as someone who likes Herrera and Athletic Bilbao it's really frustrating that we got one of their best players from them who we are not playing while Athletic are really struggling this season.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Let's agree to disagree, IMO he has the best passing range of all our midfielders and has been very good this season. Funnily all our best offensive performances coincide with him being on the pitch (QPR, first 60 minutes versus Leicester, Hull). Fellaini, Blind and Carrick have all been good this season but there is no issue playing two of them alongside Herrera who offers something different.

IMO the main issue with him is he is not Strootman. Van Gaal will try to get rid of him in the Summer and replace him with his favourite.

We need both of them. The way we have injuries and that likely won't go away, we need as many players as we can get. Strootman has to get to the end of the season yet. He has been linked to us remember, that is the kiss of death.

 

[Ballache]

Rooney looked knackered at one point yesterday and felt Herrera would inject much needed energy in midfield. Don't know what the deal with this guy is but I rate him, LvG doesn't.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I know this is not United's problem but as someone who likes Herrera and Athletic Bilbao it's really frustrating that we got one of their best players from them who we are not playing while Athletic are really struggling this season.

Watched them last night, they seem to struggle manufacturing goals and once they go behind, you worry another goal will soon follow. Liked Laporte though.

 

[Feed Me]

Hopefully Ander will start the next couple of matches. In a diamond, I reckon the following has the best balance:

Herrera

Di Maria - Fellaini

Carrick

It's plain to see that our play lacks pace, so we should be doing everything possible to integrate Hererra.

 

[bosnian_red]

I think we have got that used to there being no competition in our midfield, the fact Scholes had to come out of retirement, that we are freaking out when someone isn't playing. It's actually a good thing, that we have real quality in there and lots of options with maybe more to come in the summer.

Yeah, everyone seems to panic when a player isn't starting all the time and assume he'll be sold. Its useful having top class players to rotate in and out of your team, all other top teams have it.

 

[Feed Me]

Yeah, everyone seems to panic when a player isn't starting all the time and assume he'll be sold. Its useful having top class players to rotate in and out of your team, all other top teams have it.

In the case of Hererra though, there's not any rotation - he's barely featuring.

I don't buy this theory that LvG thinks he's lightweight, because Mata gets enough game time and he's weak as piss.

 

[Kakeru]

Yeah, everyone seems to panic when a player isn't starting all the time and assume he'll be sold. Its useful having top class players to rotate in and out of your team, all other top teams have it.

It's almost insulting to call that rotation. I haven't seen LVG pulling out his main players for some of those guys who are eager to make a difference off the bench. Someone mentioned Rooney looked tired yesterday after spending his time in an unfamiliar position and yet was not pulled out, so questions have to be asked.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

It's almost insulting to call that rotation. I haven't seen LVG pulling out his main players for some of those guys who are eager to make a difference off the bench. Someone mentioned Rooney looked tired yesterday after spending his time in an unfamiliar position and yet was not pulled out, so questions have to be asked.

The that is LvG's fault. Next season if he doesn't rotate with a lot more games he will players dead on their feet by Christmas. Rooney is now and that will be a problem down the line.

 

[Sarni]

Yeah, everyone seems to panic when a player isn't starting all the time and assume he'll be sold. Its useful having top class players to rotate in and out of your team, all other top teams have it.

He isn't being rotated, he is frozen.

 

[Sarni]

Hopefully Ander will start the next couple of matches. In a diamond, I reckon the following has the best balance:

Herrera

Di Maria - Fellaini

Carrick

It's plain to see that our play lacks pace, so we should be doing everything possible to integrate Hererra.

He has not started in the league since Stoke at home, has he? And that was November. feck all chance of him starting the next few games with Fellaini, Blind, Carrick and Rooney all fit.

 

[Feed Me]

He has not started in the league since Stoke at home, has he? And that was November. feck all chance of him starting the next few games with Fellaini, Blind, Carrick and Rooney all fit.

I was talking about Cambridge (FA Cup) and then Leicester at home - no need to play conservatively or worry overly about balance in those two games.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

He has not started in the league since Stoke at home, has he? And that was November. feck all chance of him starting the next few games with Fellaini, Blind, Carrick and Rooney all fit.

He starts in the F.A. Cup though and that is the next game. Rooney and Carrick are not far away from a usual late season injury as well. It always happens. Especially as they are playing constantly. I am not sure he realises the strain on his players bodies in this league. It is a lot more frantic than he has been used to.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I was talking about Cambridge (FA Cup) and then Leicester at home - no need to play conservatively or worry overly about balance in those two games.

If the players are available, I would almost like the team that lost at Leicester to try and put it all right.

 

[Feed Me]

If the players are available, I would almost like the team that lost at Leicester to try and put it all right.

I wouldn't mind that team either. Think we'd fare far better this time.

 

[Sied]

He starts in the F.A. Cup though and that is the next game. Rooney and Carrick are not far away from a usual late season injury as well. It always happens. Especially as they are playing constantly. I am not sure he realises the strain on his players bodies in this league. It is a lot more frantic than he has been used to.

The likes of Hazard and Terry must have played plenty more minutes than Rooney and seem fine. No idea how to find the actual stats on this, but I'd be very surprised if they (and quite a few others) haven't played plenty more minutes than Rooney and Carrick. I really think they should be able to cope with the number of minutes being expected from them. Especially a player like Rooney he seems to noticeably benefit from playing week in week out, and quickly loses match sharpness when he misses a game or 2.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

The likes of Hazard and Terry must have played plenty more minutes than Rooney and seem fine. No idea how to find the actual stats on this, but I'd be very surprised if they (and quite a few others) haven't played plenty more minutes than Rooney and Carrick. I really think they should be able to cope with the number of minutes being expected from them. Especially a player like Rooney he seems to noticeably benefit from playing week in week out, and quickly loses match sharpness when he misses a game or 2.

From what people say, Chelsea don't do the intensive training that we do, probably why they don't tire and don't get the injuries we get.

 

[m1y2]

somebody should rename the name of the thread to
Ander Herrera | 2014/2015 benchformances
van gaal talks a lot of bollocks about his so called balance in the squad, this guy should start every game

 

[Sied]

From what people say, Chelsea don't do the intensive training that we do, probably why they don't tire and don't get the injuries we get.

I probably should have used some examples outside of Chelsea. How about Sanchez, Cazorla, Pelle, Eriksen?

Back to the topic, Herrera doesn't have an obvious place in the 352. He's suffering because of the formation in the same way Januzaj is. He will play more when (if?!) we revert to a formation with 4 at the back.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I probably should have used some examples outside of Chelsea. How about Sanchez, Cazorla, Pelle, Eriksen?

Back to the topic, Herrera doesn't have an obvious place in the 352. He's suffering because of the formation in the same way Januzaj is. He will play more when (if?!) we revert to a formation with 4 at the back.

I presume that is why he wants new defenders and lots of them. Problem is making this common knowledge is making the ones we have play like rabbits in headlights. Yes they are keeping clean sheets, but it is Big Dave that is securing that stat for them. Also other teams being even worse than us at scoring.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

In the case of Hererra though, there's not any rotation - he's barely featuring.

I don't buy this theory that LvG thinks he's lightweight, because Mata gets enough game time and he's weak as piss.

I agree. I simply just don't think LVG rates him that much to be honest rightly or wrongly. He will start in the FA cup this Friday though.

 

[RedSRM]

Herrera back in to central midfield with Rooney playing as a forward again. Please.

 

[justboy68]

Should be playing ahead of Mata in my opinion. Has more presence and athleticism about him which should allow for the balance that LVG is desperately looking for. I know I'm preaching to the choir but a midfield of:

----Di Maria----
Blind ------Herrera
-----Carrick-----

looks to have great balance. Di Maria can be swapped to the left with Herrera playing attacking mid if you wish. Likewise Blind and Carrick could also swap. Mata would be a great option off the bench.

 

[Sarni]

We might as well sell him in January while we are at it. Never going to start again.

 

[Cassidy]

I actually feel sorry for this lad

 

[Borys]

We might as well sell him in January while we are at it. Never going to start again.

I don't know what to think, honestly.

If we play 4 at the back today than Fellaini over Herrera makes sense. If not, then he has found himself in quite a situation.

EDIT: Actually, there might be another reason. LvG mentioned that Cambridge play "long ball" football didn't he?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Ribs still bothering him, right?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I don't know what to think, honestly.

If we play 4 at the back today than Fellaini over Herrera makes sense. If not, then he has found himself in quite a situation.

I really don't know why either. LvG can be a nasty bastard that way.

 

[charleysurf]

If there was any kind of reasonable offer for him it'd be better to sell him now. Probably wouldn't get half what was paid for him, but at least it could go towards getting a player the manager does trust.

 

[Sam]

Oh Ander

 

[Sarni]

Ribs still bothering him, right?

It was never the case. Van Gaal simply decided he doesn't like nor does he trust him to get the job done. The ship has sailed.

 

[bucky]

You have to wonder why we bothered signing him, especially with that sort of fee. I mean he should play, but it's really poor business from us once again if this carries on.

 

[Sarni]

If there was any kind of reasonable offer for him it'd be better to sell him now. Probably wouldn't get half what was paid for him, but at least it could go towards getting a player the manager does trust.

I concur. Even if Athletic offered to take him on loan or Valencia offered to pay €10m for him it would be reasonable to let him leave. He's serving no purpose here and it is clear as a day now that he will not feature much.

Extremely bad management from van Gaal to agree to spend £30m and then refuse to play him at all.

 

[JustAFan]

Reports now that Herrera has been pulled from the squad completely for "personal reasons" Hopefully nothing, but not difficult to imagine that he is unhappy about not even being able to get a start v Cambridge.


EDIT: False alarm, The Guardian admitting now the source turned out to be a fake twitter account

 

[limerickcitykid]

You have to wonder why we bothered signing him, especially with that sort of fee. I mean he should play, but it's really poor business from us once again if this carries on.

What does his price have to do with anything? Conversely, Fellaini cost 27m so he has to play as well.

 

[MTR]

Reports now that Herrera has been pulled from the squad completely for "personal reasons" Hopefully nothing, but not difficult to imagine that he is unhappy about not even being able to get a start v Cambridge.

I hope it doesn't mean he's going to get banned for corruption.

 

[Cassidy]

Reports now that Herrera has been pulled from the squad completely for "personal reasons" Hopefully nothing, but not difficult to imagine that he is unhappy about not even being able to get a start v Cambridge.

Fecking hope not