What I like about him is how he doesn't ponder much. It's something very clearly been drilled into him from the Bilbao days with their quick and short one two touch passing exchanges. That's why I feel he adds a. Different dimension to us in terms of linking up play. The pass for Rooney's second being a first time one was what made the delivery just perfect.
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Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 41
- Goals
- 5
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 9
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
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None of the No.10 strikers have worked though, I think he could be fighting with Fellaini for that spot. Then there will be game its suits Ander and games it suits Fellaini. Adnan isn't up to it at the moment. I am sure Wayne appreciated the short time Ander played there. Him, Mata and Memphis will provide goals galore for him.
He looked absolutely stoked to get that goal. Love his attitude.
At number 10 he can be instinctive, which is risky further back in midfield. A lot of his passes are first time ones. Moving him upfield definitely gets the best out of him, not just assists but he can chip in with goals. The pass for Rooney and the finish from the superb Bastian pass were sublime.
The first half mistakes seemed to be out of really trying a bit too hard to impress, and failing. He probably kenw he needed a second half performance given the competition.
I love his movement after his first touch. Always seems to be able to get away from his marker and start an attack. Would like to see him as our starting #10.
True. I don't think he likes having loads of time on the ball. He's not like carrick in that regard who likes peace and time to do his stuff. Herrera plays with less calculation and more drive.
It's a strange one because I don't consider him good with his back to goal, and earlier said that number 10 is the wrong role for him, but I suppose it depends on how far forward he picks up the ball. Yesterday was perfect. A few league games he came on he seemed too advanced.
The first half proved he shouldn't play in a midfield 2, he was dreadful. The second half showed the complete opposite great runs behind the opo defence something we miss a lot from our midfielders. He should take Januzaj's place and continue to play in a midfield 3.
Terrible first half, and I'm so glad the boss left him on instead of hooking him, especially after the booking. We probably wouldn't have seen him again for a little while if that happened, as he did himself no favours.
Second-half in a 3 - he was very good. I really, really want Adnan to capre diem in his role, but Herrera is currently the best option I must concede. That is the issue with the big clubs. I'm certain that if we continue to invest games in Adnan, the reward would be massive. At this level, that won't happen. I also think Andreas earned a shot in that role too in pre-season, and he is perhaps more natural there than Adnan.
Second-half in a 3 - he was very good. I really, really want Adnan to capre diem in his role, but Herrera is currently the best option I must concede. That is the issue with the big clubs. I'm certain that if we continue to invest games in Adnan, the reward would be massive. At this level, that won't happen. I also think Andreas earned a shot in that role too in pre-season, and he is perhaps more natural there than Adnan.
I wouldn't read too much into the midfield performance. He was poor, but mainly at the passing side of the game. That's usually a strength of his, so I'm willing to chalk it up to rustiness.
When it came to movement and making himself available for a pass, I thought he was terrific. He actually did the hard parts of being a midfielder well and messed up the easy parts. Once he gets a few games under his belt, I'd be happy to try him out a little deeper again.
I think it's a bit reactionary to want to put him in at #10 based on yesterday.
When it came to movement and making himself available for a pass, I thought he was terrific. He actually did the hard parts of being a midfielder well and messed up the easy parts. Once he gets a few games under his belt, I'd be happy to try him out a little deeper again.
I think it's a bit reactionary to want to put him in at #10 based on yesterday.
Mata will become a considerably more effective player with Herrera on the pitch. This should not be forgotten. These 2 really enjoy playing together and are always on the same wavelength. He should be starting every game. It genuinely makes my blood boil when he is not in the team
I also think that if the attack is stagnant, then he is a great option to change the formation and get the attack going, not putting Fellaini on and pump the ball up. Try something a bit more subtle for a change. LvG may put Fellaini in to start and then he now knows he can change the formation about. It is no good if you stick to the same formation or you soon get found out.
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I just love the guy
Herrera and Mata are the best 10s at the club. At least Herrera might begin starting there now.
How long until LVG realises Januzai should be starting out wide. Hopefully he'll "try" that to accommodate them both in the team at some point.
How long until LVG realises Januzai should be starting out wide. Hopefully he'll "try" that to accommodate them both in the team at some point.
Nightmare of a first half .But that could be down to rustiness and being played out of his comfort zone. Second half was much better playing in a more forward position.
Yep. Looked very poor/rusty in the first half. Great second half. Would love to see him at the point of a midfield three with Schneiderlin and one of Carrick/Schweinstiger behind him. I think that could be role for him. Not necessarily a number 10, but the most forward of a midfield three, especially in big away games.
Yes fair play, it was a very good call. It's the first that springs to mind though. Poor subs vs. Newcastle for example.
It seems every time he's asked a question by the manager he stands up to it and performs. Even after a stinker of a first half hour.
He starts whenever its fit for me, just a valuable asset in the team. Can pass, tackle and get about the pitch with ease.
He starts whenever its fit for me, just a valuable asset in the team. Can pass, tackle and get about the pitch with ease.
I think his subs/tweaks at 60 minutes against Villa were very good. Really shut the game down. None of that nervous closing spell we had against Spurs.
Also fair.
Fellaini and Hernandez were good subs in the first leg, too.
Yep, been impressed with Van Gaal's substitutions this season. In fact his selection in general has been pleasingly 'common sense'.
The one really obvious "too clever for his own good" decision was Demphis at 10. Fair play to him for giving Januzaj a go instead. A pity it's not been fully vindicated yet and perhaps it's time to give Ander a crack.
Dunno. I agree with you that he actually showed a lot of promise in the midfield role - everyone calling it a total disaster is a bit knee-jerk. His tackling and passing were both well off what they normally are, but that movement, tempo and always being available for a pass were all noticeably there. The problems looked like rust and nerves more than being ill-suited to the position.
That said, he was excellent in the second half, so I think we have to consider that the role for him at the moment and keep the option of trying him a little deeper again for when he's settled back into the side.
Yep. Januzaj really worked there for a couple of games, for me, so there was nothing wrong with that, but Herrera seems like the right choice for Swansea.
Van Gaal looks set with the two sitting midfielders, usually two of Schweinsteiger, Carrick and Schneiderlin. I don't think Herrera is suited to the way he wants those two sitting midfielders to play, but he could be great as the #10 in this formation, as we saw in the 2nd half.
His natural instincts as a footballer seem to be that he always wants to be involved, and to be where the ball is, so as a #10, he will probably perform like a hybrid of a #8 and a #10, dropping deep, bringing the ball forward and getting into the box. He will link the sitting midfielders to the attack, which is something that has been lacking so far. There's often a huge gap between the front and the back, and nobody to fill it.
Januzaj can make things happen with the ball, but he's not the man to link it all together. Not yet anyway. Herrera and Mata are much more suited to that, and with Herrera's tenacity off the ball as well, I think he should be given a run in that position.
Solid.
His natural instincts as a footballer seem to be that he always wants to be involved, and to be where the ball is, so as a #10, he will probably perform like a hybrid of a #8 and a #10, dropping deep, bringing the ball forward and getting into the box. He will link the sitting midfielders to the attack, which is something that has been lacking so far. There's often a huge gap between the front and the back, and nobody to fill it.
Januzaj can make things happen with the ball, but he's not the man to link it all together. Not yet anyway. Herrera and Mata are much more suited to that, and with Herrera's tenacity off the ball as well, I think he should be given a run in that position.
Rooney
Memphis ------------- Mata ---
Herrera
Carrasteiger Schneiderlin
Memphis ------------- Mata ---
Herrera
Carrasteiger Schneiderlin
Solid.
Some players look better in different shapes of that midfield 3 formation.For example Carrick looks better if he plays as single protector of back 4,Ander at the moment looks like he can play only as one of CMs in midfield 3 with point back,or as number 10.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ws/manchester-united-herrera-van-gaal-9940576
How did author conclude LVG wanted to sub him after 13 minutes?
How did author conclude LVG wanted to sub him after 13 minutes?
He didn't say anything of the sort, he inferred that he would sub him, not stating when exactly but saw he was improving towards the end of the half. That's headline writers for you.
Whether it's true or not, I could see why LVG might have wanted to. He was too aggressive off the ball, fouling them needlessly and received an early yellow card in the 13th minute. The worry of going down to 10 men.
Herrera definitely became a lot less hyper afterwards fortunately. Probably received an instruction to calm the feck down.
Edit: Oh and LVG saying he played well at the "DOUBLE 6 POSITION"
What the feck is that.
Herrera definitely became a lot less hyper afterwards fortunately. Probably received an instruction to calm the feck down.
Edit: Oh and LVG saying he played well at the "DOUBLE 6 POSITION"
What the feck is that.Exactly. Journalism, what a terrific job.
Interesting that LVG acknowledges it as doubles 6's. Normally want a 6 and an 8.Whether it's true or not, I could see why LVG might have wanted to. He was too aggressive off the ball, fouling them needlessly and received an early yellow card in the 13th minute. The worry of going down to 10 men.
Herrera definitely became a lot less hyper afterwards fortunately. Probably received an instruction to calm the feck down.
Edit: Oh and LVG saying he played well at the "DOUBLE 6 POSITION"
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Think it's cause he got booked after 13 minutes probably and Van Gaal said he was "thinking of changing him then", as in when he got booked but I think Van Gaal was more thinking like thinking of subbing him off at half time, rather then wanting to take him off after 13 minutes.
I like to hear all these positive noises from the players who aren't currently in favour. Fellaini, Young, Herrera and even Mata/Blind. Bin Hernandez for another forward so he can't post his cryptic instagram bollocks and we'll be grand.
Herrera will flourish at the no. 10. Overall, he didn't have a great game last night, but in the second half, he showed what he is capable of. Better option than Januzaj, that's for sure.
Agreed. He looked very good as the right CM in a 433 with Mata as the RW. Those two seem to have a very good understanding.
The game against Bruges was totally unrepresentative of the way our season will go. We won't face many weaker sides this season, for one thing.
Herrera looked good because Bruges were all over the place and he had space to run into. Januzaj is van Gaal's first pick because he's much more likely to beat a man. The two players take to the role very differently. Against PL opposition, I can see why LvG opts for Adnan, since the space that Herrera thrives in is far more difficult to find.
Herrera's problem is that he's not really a #10 so it'll be difficult for him to be the creative fulcrum in tight games. I think he'd look better as one of two #8s in a 4-3-3, but we don't really have any other #8s to pair him with.
This could be a frustrating season for him, I reckon. His best hope is that we buy another box-to-box midfielder to replace Carrick at some point.
Herrera looked good because Bruges were all over the place and he had space to run into. Januzaj is van Gaal's first pick because he's much more likely to beat a man. The two players take to the role very differently. Against PL opposition, I can see why LvG opts for Adnan, since the space that Herrera thrives in is far more difficult to find.
Herrera's problem is that he's not really a #10 so it'll be difficult for him to be the creative fulcrum in tight games. I think he'd look better as one of two #8s in a 4-3-3, but we don't really have any other #8s to pair him with.
This could be a frustrating season for him, I reckon. His best hope is that we buy another box-to-box midfielder to replace Carrick at some point.
I love the way people seem to have forgotten how well he played in some of the big games last season. He had no trouble finding space then in fact he left a few vaunted PL players literally on their arses.
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