Play both, put Rashford on the right for his pace and dribbling and put MKII through the middle.
No points awarded for whom I'd drop.
No points awarded for whom I'd drop.
Zlatan vs Rashford - Who Should Start?
- Thread starter YouOnlyLiveTwice
- Start date
Has Zlatan ever played as a 10? Sure he drops a lot, but that doesn't mean he plays as a 10.
The kid is 18 and has plenty of time ahead of him. Not to mention he shouldn't be expected to be starting for a team aiming to challenge for the title.
We're ones of the title favorite this year, Rashford is not quite on the level to be starting for us. If that was the case then I'd have to worried about our level right now.
Play both, drop the other guy!
Why not exactly? He's consistently performed for us most of last season, theres nothing to suggest he can't continue those performances.
And yes he can play from the wing, he spent half of has youth career playing from there, he's perfectly adept.
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Mhki is struggling to get a spot on one wing and we have plenty established players used to playing from the wing finding it hard getting in the starting line up.
All of Mhki, Martial and Mata are better players then him especially coming from the wing. We cannot just drop them like nothing to play an 18 years old improving STRIKER and go about our business as if that's not silly.
Mou himself said if Rashford has to play on the wing, he has to learn how to. His impact subs are fine for now.
It depends on the opposition to be honest. If we're the ones mostly in attack and the opponent is sitting back, Ibrahimovic is a good passing station and someone who could distribute the ball up front, although some of his passing has been a bit underwhelming. His good footwork for a man his size and his shot from distance are also very helpful in such scenarios.
If we're facing an attacking-minded team that we can constantly hit on the counter, Rashford is the better choice. His pace and his solid footwork make him very hard to stop in open play and a better asset in that regard than Ibrahimovic.
I wouldn't rule out Rashford starting over Ibrahimovic, but we shouldn't run an 18 year old into the ground. Let him develop and play him regularly when he is more polished than he is now. Ibrahimovic will most likely be gone after two seasons, by that time Rashford will be 20/21, hence with all the experience he's collected until then and all the improvements he will have made, he will be our ideal long-term solution.
If we're facing an attacking-minded team that we can constantly hit on the counter, Rashford is the better choice. His pace and his solid footwork make him very hard to stop in open play and a better asset in that regard than Ibrahimovic.
I wouldn't rule out Rashford starting over Ibrahimovic, but we shouldn't run an 18 year old into the ground. Let him develop and play him regularly when he is more polished than he is now. Ibrahimovic will most likely be gone after two seasons, by that time Rashford will be 20/21, hence with all the experience he's collected until then and all the improvements he will have made, he will be our ideal long-term solution.
As an either/or option it's Zlatan, but there is something wrong if we can't fit both in the team.
Fergie didn't choose between say, Cantona or Cole.
Fergie didn't choose between say, Cantona or Cole.
You guys have had your snouts in the nose candy trough if you don't think Zlat's got clauses or verbal guarantees assuring he gets picked first. On that basis alone, he should start first.
I would suggest to start with both and bench Mata or Rooney,play Rashford as wide forward.
Martial ----------Ibra-----------Rashford
--------Pogba----------------Mkhi/Rooney
--------------Carrick/Fellaini---------
Shaw-----Blind---------Bailly--------Valencia-
-----------------DDG------------------
Martial ----------Ibra-----------Rashford
--------Pogba----------------Mkhi/Rooney
--------------Carrick/Fellaini---------
Shaw-----Blind---------Bailly--------Valencia-
-----------------DDG------------------
Based on current form, i'd drop Martial for Rashford, and play Mkhi on the right rather than Mata.
You can't really drop Zlatan, his aerial presence alone would be missed... he definitely has that goal scoring edge i hoped he'd have.
You can't really drop Zlatan, his aerial presence alone would be missed... he definitely has that goal scoring edge i hoped he'd have.
Think everyone wants that lineup but it won't happen.
Both. Drop Rooney.
Martial is in horrible form, Mhki hasnt settled and Mata isnt better coming from the wing, you seem to be seriously underrating Rashford's abilities from wide.
As I said, much of his youth was spent as a winger. Mata is a #10, so is Mhki and Martial is a striker, hes as experienced out there in the English game as the next bloke.
So what if he is 18? he's a fecking good 18 year old who doesn't seem to be affected by the big stage. I have no doubt you were one of the many who also preached Martial was too young to be a regular starter last season. Age has nothing to do with it, as long as the player is physically developed and mentally prepared, which he is, then his talent and form should be all that matters.
Martial form is expected to pick up, Mhki hasn't been given the chance to play (not that he hasn't settled in) and Mata is simply a better option than Rashford from the left.
And no I wasn't one of those claiming Martial shouldn't play last year, that's your own wrong assumption and I frankly don't care about that.
And you seem to be mistaking playing as a sub in cameos to playing from the start with added responsibility and higher expectations.
Players make impact subs all the time. It's easier to have great moment(great moments remenbered without the added scrutinuty that comes along when one is a regular)as impact subs with less responsibilities than one trusted with the task to consistently deliver weekly. Most people know that including Mourinho which is why you're not gonna see him kneejerk and make Rashford his starter in league games just yet.
And as those your remaining points such as Martial being primarily a striker or also being young, unlike what you think Martial played mostly from the wing at Monaco before joining us and was proven from the wing thus it's easier to trust him with that task.
He had a great year from the wing with us last year thus establishing himself for us in that position. Players go through bad form but good ones picks themselves up and rediscover it more often than not which is something expected from Martial.
why in gods name would we drop zlatan
stupid thread
stupid thread
Your post is riddled with hypocrisy.
Martial brought less experience with him than Rashford currently has in this league yet you deemed him right to start? Pah.
If you're that adamant what Jose says goes then Mhki isnt ready yet, you can't pick and choose when Joses word is indisputable.
Kneejerk? Do you understand the meaning of the word? What would be kneejerk about play Rashford ahead of Mata? He outperformed him last season and has more experience playing as a wide man than Mata, not to mention a better skill set to suit the position.
Sorry who was playing as a cameo?
Played there for Sweden quite a few times I think
Thing is Rashford can play from the wings too, I really don't see this question as relevant. Zlatan should start as much as possible, form and fitness permitting though.
If Aguero wasn't banned for our match, but City decided to play Iheanacho upfront instead of him, we would not only be more confident of a win, but confused as to why Pep isn't playing Aguero.
This is why you play Zlatan.
Play your best players if fit in their best positions, every time.
This is why you play Zlatan.
Play your best players if fit in their best positions, every time.
SAF would rotate & combine on repeat and win it. Expect Jose to do something similar.
Nobody's getting dropped if you play 4 parallel competitions with expectation to bring some silver with you.
EDIT: One of two has to be Zlatan if so... for now.
Nobody's getting dropped if you play 4 parallel competitions with expectation to bring some silver with you.
EDIT: One of two has to be Zlatan if so... for now.
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Zlatan all day every day with Rashford coming on from the bench
Zlatan should be playing behind Rashford.
Rooney. FML.
Rashford
Martial Ibrahimović Mkhitaryan
He thrives on movement around him and can link the play effortlessly when allowed to roam. That's what he did at PSG.Martial Ibrahimović Mkhitaryan
Rooney. FML.
Hypocrisy?
Martial came in last year when we were in so much need to reinforce and a huge fee was paid to bring him in. He got to play and quickly established himself. Prior to that he had previous experience at high level playing for Monaco first team. A vastly different scenario to Rashford would need to displace player simply better than him.
Rashford doesn't have any experience playing as a winger on the highest level and while he could always be given the chance there, it shouldn't get at the expense up better players than him. Time is all get has and will get a fair crack to play where he should.
I'm not even gonna get into the Mata situation with you but just for argument's sake let's say you're right about Mata, Mhki is still the player that'll get ahead of him.
And kneejerk is seeing posters thinking Rashford is ready to be our starter because he's had a great sub appearance and a goal while we still have better options everywhere.
Zlatan starts, Rashford can continue as is. I see him as our long term CF and at his age doesn't and shouldn't be starting every week for obvious reasons.
Rashford came into that same window mate, what does the transfer fee have to do with anything? Does that join the ranks of age which supposedly means more than talent when picking an XI now?
Most of these posters haven't decided after one sub appearance, what have you that idea? They've watched Rashford last season, and many in the U18's and U21s before. Have a glance at all the starting XIs that was posted before a ball was even kicked, how many of them do you think has Mata or Rooney ahead of Rashford in their sides?
Mhki is an attacking midfielder who can play wide, first and foremost Rooney is the one to make way for him, not our right winger.
The fact Rashford can play on the wings makes him an ideal candidate to come on as an impact sub, not a starter. It's against tired defenses that he can wreak havoc the most and even though he has enough about him (and shown last year) to trouble the opposition from the start, I think Ibra is more suited to play the striker's role in a Mourinho system (ie. a strong target man).
This is of course ignoring the fact that Ibra is one of the best strikers on the planet and we haven't got him just to provide strength in depth. If he's fit for all 38 PL games, my guess would be he'll start at least 35 of them. It remains to be seen how seriously Mourinho takes the Europa League.
It also seems unlikely they'll both start together based on Mourinho's comments that he sees Rashford as a striker and not a winger, and that the only time they can both play is when we are really dominant (presumably he means the kind of situation against Hull where they are just defending for their lives while we throw players forward).
This is of course ignoring the fact that Ibra is one of the best strikers on the planet and we haven't got him just to provide strength in depth. If he's fit for all 38 PL games, my guess would be he'll start at least 35 of them. It remains to be seen how seriously Mourinho takes the Europa League.
It also seems unlikely they'll both start together based on Mourinho's comments that he sees Rashford as a striker and not a winger, and that the only time they can both play is when we are really dominant (presumably he means the kind of situation against Hull where they are just defending for their lives while we throw players forward).
If fit, Zlatan without a doubt and this no matter the opponent (unless it is a truly meaningless match). Even after having read the OP, I cannot believe this is a legit question. Rashford will find it tough very soon, just like Martial is at the moment.
Premier League away games: Zlatan
Premier League home games: Zlatan or both (dropping Martial)
Premier League ‘very dominant’ home games: both (dropping Rooney)
Europa League: Rashford
League Cup: Rashford
FA Cup: Rashford
There's one hard thing in this equation of putting Rashford as first option. Besides (maybe) Martial and (very hardly) Memphis, who's to rock the boat as a substitute striker when United is chasing a result?
Premier League home games: Zlatan or both (dropping Martial)
Premier League ‘very dominant’ home games: both (dropping Rooney)
Europa League: Rashford
League Cup: Rashford
FA Cup: Rashford
There's one hard thing in this equation of putting Rashford as first option. Besides (maybe) Martial and (very hardly) Memphis, who's to rock the boat as a substitute striker when United is chasing a result?
Both. Rashford should be utilized as a shadow striker. Jose has already made it clear that he doesn't see Rooney as a midfielder ("Maybe he's not a striker any more. Maybe he is not a No 9 anymore but he will never, with me, be a No.6. He will never be 50 metres from the goal. For me he will be a No 9 or a No 10 or a nine-and-a-half, but with me he will never be a No 6 or even a No 8." ), and therefore Rooney whilst occupying the no.10 role isn't responsible for being a traditional playmaker, but rather as a goal scorer. Similarly, Jari Litmanen had the role of a shadow striker for Ajax respectively, as did Muller for Bayern Munich under Juup Heynckes' 4-2-3-1 which is comfortably one of the most prominent 4-2-3-1 system in recent years. Speaking of Muller, Jose has already confirmed that Muller was very much a player he was interested in, as exemplified by "is anyone in England interested in Thomas Muller? For sure. Can we, England bring Thomas Muller from Bayern Munich? I don't think so." This suggests that Jose was open to having a shadow striker at Chelsea, and it's widely believed by many that Jose wanted Griezmann, another whose mostly suited best as a shadow striker, and the Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo said the following, "right now, Griezmann's thoughts are not on a sheik or blue princess coming to sign him." I felt it was particularly noteworthy that he mentioned "blue princess" which I assume was hinting at Chelsea. Furthermore, Rashford's link up play, is one of his best attributes, he offers pace from in behind which is an attribute Zlatan doesn't particularly possess, and the "almost like a free role" as Rooney put it would suit Rashford quite well due to his exuberance he conveys each time he steps on the pitch. Watch the first 3 minutes so of the following video, to see a brief visual representation of what Rashford is capable of when he isn't scoring.
Watch first 3 minutes:
At Man Utd, he could play as a shadow striker, the role Griezmann flourished in, playing alongside Giroud from the last 16 andthe subsequent games which followed, or the relationship Dybala flourished in with the big, powerful Mandzukic. Rashford can be our Griezmann or Dybala and Zlatan can have a somewhat similar role to that of Manzukic/Giroud.
Zlatan at PSG played in a 4-3-3 system which had no no.10 which allowed him to drop deep, as his current evolution as a footballer has dictated that nowadays he operates as a false no.9 which makes it paramount for him to have willing runners, and pace around him. At PSG he had that with Di Maria, Lucas Moura and even Cavani who whilst not being particularly fast, has fantastic off the ball movement. Having Rashford as the shadow striker, would mean we still don't have a traditional playmaker in the no.10 spot that predominantly creates chances, and therefore the aforementioned too can work well in conjunction, as when Zlatan invariably drops deep, Rashford can run beyond him. We'd also have the option of having Zlatan occupying two center halves due to his overwhelming physical presence, concurrently, Rashford instills fear in the opposition due to him being very direct.
Watch first 3 minutes:
At Man Utd, he could play as a shadow striker, the role Griezmann flourished in, playing alongside Giroud from the last 16 andthe subsequent games which followed, or the relationship Dybala flourished in with the big, powerful Mandzukic. Rashford can be our Griezmann or Dybala and Zlatan can have a somewhat similar role to that of Manzukic/Giroud.
Zlatan at PSG played in a 4-3-3 system which had no no.10 which allowed him to drop deep, as his current evolution as a footballer has dictated that nowadays he operates as a false no.9 which makes it paramount for him to have willing runners, and pace around him. At PSG he had that with Di Maria, Lucas Moura and even Cavani who whilst not being particularly fast, has fantastic off the ball movement. Having Rashford as the shadow striker, would mean we still don't have a traditional playmaker in the no.10 spot that predominantly creates chances, and therefore the aforementioned too can work well in conjunction, as when Zlatan invariably drops deep, Rashford can run beyond him. We'd also have the option of having Zlatan occupying two center halves due to his overwhelming physical presence, concurrently, Rashford instills fear in the opposition due to him being very direct.
Don't want to be a d**k to the op, but haven't this been discussed to death involving the actual person who should worry about Marcus?
Zlatan should really not even be questioned thus far. Also, haven't it been disproved that he's not mobile? Add to that the fact that he can still put defenders on their arse and it shouldn't be a contest.
Rooney should worry, as should Mata. Not because they've been bad (imo), but because they've been comfortably the lowest achievers.
Zlatan should really not even be questioned thus far. Also, haven't it been disproved that he's not mobile? Add to that the fact that he can still put defenders on their arse and it shouldn't be a contest.
Rooney should worry, as should Mata. Not because they've been bad (imo), but because they've been comfortably the lowest achievers.
Zlatan.
Well you worded it in such a way as to elicit a response, and it had a question mark at the end. So I would say yes, it is.
How do you even entertain the idea of dropping Ibra for a massive game like this? 
Drop Martial for Rashford.
Drop Martial for Rashford.
What a great problem to have, you'd never drop Zlatan because his presence is immense but at the same time Rashford continues to take his opportunities whenever he gets the chance, its like the Cole, Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer era, plenty of choice and options for the amount of games we will be playing. You can see Martial being rested on the bench against City, coming on as a sub and scoring the winner. good times.
Two of them would be our most dangerous attacking options against City.So the answer is obvious.
Rashford > Martial
Clearly Ibra. If you want to drop someone in the starting 11 for their lack of pace, the culprit is obvious.
DDG?