Think he can do it in a counter-attacking setup, where his through balls can pick out runners and he has energy to press. When teams sit deep, he looks very limited. His short and long passing game is very average for a patient build-up.
21
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 41
- Goals
- 5
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 9
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
- Status
He'd operate much better in a MF3, Van Gaal has practically spayed all of the mobile defensive ability that he had. His pressing is completely different now than at Bilbao. Much less to do with chasing the ball and more about reading the play and I don't think that is his strength. He'd be much better off with the time and space to close down the ball without the responsibility of holding his zone. Iturraspe, De Marcos, Gurpegui and Martinez were much better foils for him in the three at Bilbao.
This squad at the moment really doesn't have a suitable three combination at all. Especially with Schweinsteiger/Carrick doing a timeshare when they aren't injured. It is a bit of a mess which is why Van Gaal has completely changed Herrera's game. Which imo is for the worse and away from what would be a strength domestically in England but that is my opinion.
This is spot on. I watched him play at AB a few times on TV when rumours started about us getting him. Their press was much more about chasing the ball rather than this zonal press we have. He obviously had much more freedom to roam and press forward at AB and it suited his strengths of dribbling and going forward and joining the attack. That said, I think he deserves a starting spot with a true holding MF like Morgan as his partner. He was okay in tonight's game but he clicks rather well with Morgan. Obviously has a connection with Mata.
I think whichever system we use he's best as the most advanced in a proper 3 man midfield, not as a #10 or in the double pivot.
He's great in big games but isn't suited to be regularly the first name on the team sheet.
Certainly not the first name -- that always goes to De Gea -- how about being a regular starter, allowing for the occasional rest or tactical benching?
He wasn't at his best against Watford, but can't really blame him as he and the other players were obviously tired after playing 3 games in 6 days last week, so Watford's pressure, energy, aggression and physicality were too much to handle. That's why winning the game was was important, especially when you consider the losses of our rivals.
He also makes some very good points in his interview, it's not the usual generic rubbish that the other players tend to say after poor performances. Watford played without any pressure whatsoever and they were pretty close to going home with the 3 points had Ighalo scored some of his chances.
He also makes some very good points in his interview, it's not the usual generic rubbish that the other players tend to say after poor performances. Watford played without any pressure whatsoever and they were pretty close to going home with the 3 points had Ighalo scored some of his chances.
God I love him and Mata. I think they should start every game; Herrera isn't without his faults, but he brings a dynamism that is sadly lacking when he's off the pitch.
Don't give in to his anti-Herrera lunacy.
Herrera is the only midfielder we have who can pass AND move at higher than average levels. Bastien and Mata can pass but not move. Schneiderlin can move but not pass.
Midfield is Herrera, a deeper midfielder (normally Schneiderlin but with enough possession there's a case for Schweinsteiger or Carrick or even Blind) and a 3rd player, either Mata or a midfielder we desperately need to sign this summer.
From this squad, a midfield three of Herrera Schneiderlin and Blind would be outstanding. That puts a lot of pressure on Morgan but I really do think he'll be up to it next season.
But this thread is about Herrera and once the man is in his rhythm he's incredibly effective. He's no defensive destroyer but he's competent defensively. He's a passer, not a dribbler, but he's not afraid to move with and without the ball. And he's good for the occasional goal.
He offers us something different than our other CMs. In big games, he's a must. He's a little inconsistent in others though.
Agree with the rest of your post. But is that 1st line directed at me? You couldn't be any wronger with that.
If I look in my heart, I have to say it's directed at Van Gaal.
If we sneak top 4 and lose in a not-embarrassing way (say a tight loss to Dortmund, Spurs or Sevilla) in the Europa League semi-finals or finals and win the FA Cup and an argument on if we should keep Van Gaal breaks out, Herrera being benched at times will be a factor (not first, but there) for me.
It genuinely confuses and annoys me the the only player other than Shaw on the team who is mobile and technically strong (I guess De Gea sort of counts too) isn't undroppable.
West Brom 1:0 Man Utd
What an awful half. He has been misplacing passes all over the place and giving the ball straight back to the opposition during aerial duels every single time.
Completely disagree, at least since the red card. Didn't like him this year at all, but today after Mata's red he's been great, IMO.
Seriously? He played some beautiful passes out to the right flank. Such a shame we are down to ten men as he looks on his game today.
Huh? He's been great in duels, considering that's what the WBA midfield specialise in. And he's got us out of pressure many times. Those passes to Lingard from the middle of a crowd were great.
I've been a big fan of him, but feck me he seems lost most of the time. He throws the ball away so stupidly and careless - and not just when trying to be adventerous. That I could forgive, but most of the time there is seemingly no idea behind his hoofing or direction of the ball.
I thought that after the red he should be shifted to a "narrow" wide position, with Schneiderlin replacing Lingard, but Lingard has been much better sine moving to the left. In fact, Rashford, Martial, and Lingard all look more comfortable in their new positions.
He gives the ball away too much and takes too much time on the ball. Not good from the guy who is supposed to link up between midfield and attack.
Yes he has had some nice passes here and there but he has been carelessly giving the ball away a lot this half. I don't know why he heads the ball straight back to the opposition when he clearly has the space or time to control the ball or pick out a team mate. He is capable of much better.
Would take 15-20m for him in the summer and never look back, not good enough. Just like Shinji, too much hype
I actually thought he was one of our best players before he got subbed. But Van Gaal doesn't like high energy centre midfielders apparently.
He was utter shit.
He was okay. Didn't do too much, but offered more than Carrick certainly. He should've ideally been more of a creative force though with his energy, someone driving us forward despite them having the extra man.
I am genuinely puzzled at this. Was he? He was winning duels, and actually playing and pressing high enough to play with the front three and not invite West Brom into our half.
We lost the momentum after his sub.
The lack of appreciation for intelligent players is truly astonishing.Under LvG, i dont see the intelligence. You mean keeping possession and doing feck all is intellligence now? He plays so badly against the average teams, he just cares against the big boys.
After that red card, what did you expect him to do? Honest question.
I thought he was our best outfield player after Smalling today, the only midfielder we have that can both move and pass.
No he wasn't. No one was apart from Mata.
Except that I'm not referring to that. Who aside from Ander picks the right passes on a regular basis and provides mobility and the extra passing option with his movement?
The system is to blame. Not the player.
Haha, 'intelligent player'. He really isn't great. Can't defend, isn't a great passer of the ball, can't tackle, not really great with the ball. Should never play in a two men midfield by the way. He's got energy and is tidy sometimes, but that's about it. Decent squad player but shouldn't start every game for Manchester United.
I should clarify that I didn't want LvG to sub him off. Stupid change.
You would think based on the fact we were out numbered keeping him on would have been wise as you would expect him to be able to get around the pitch more than Carrick. Also offers far more going forward.
Thought he did ok today suffered when Mata went off.
Thought he did ok today suffered when Mata went off.
He's not an intelligent player ffs
Intelligent players make use of their technique, understand the space around and how to use it. He's our Henderson. Passionate, tenacious but far from intelligent.
Jack Wilshere has wonderful technique but is the opposite of intelligence. Technique isn't the be-all!!
Intelligent players make use of their technique, understand the space around and how to use it. He's our Henderson. Passionate, tenacious but far from intelligent.
Jack Wilshere has wonderful technique but is the opposite of intelligence. Technique isn't the be-all!!
Bizarre reaction in here. We were horrendous after he came off. Thought he was our best player before being subbed.
Really didn't notice him much so he must not have played well but certainly replacing him didn't do anything either.
Now now lets not be harsh here. Herrera is a far better player than that clown even if he does get overrated now and then.
Needs to show more composure at times. Some of his passing was really rushed and sloppy and it was pretty basic stuff.
- Status