- First start in over a year
- No worse than any player in the first half an hour
- Got better as the game went on, as did most
- Great assist
- Great goal
- Controlled the game after the first 30 minutes
- For someone who you say can't run, he seemed to cover ever blade of grass
- Was always available for a pass
31
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 4
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 0
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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Oh God, don't start him off again @Eriku. I asked the same question and he went off on some bizarre tangent about how big transfers take time and how players are in the know about this stuff etc etc.
Anything to try and "prove" his bizarre point.
Must have missed that
Just read on Facebook that hes only 31?!
I was sure he was around 33 or 34. Wow
I was sure he was around 33 or 34. Wow
32.
Don‘t forget Martial.. he didn't score against poor championship team!! Clearly should be sold back to France or to League 2 team
Just to be perfectly clear here, just because Schweinsteiger played (and played well IMO) doesn't mean that anyone here thinks we're sorted for the Carrick role. In fact, I bet if you started a poll asking the Caf that very question, I doubt more than 1-2% would say yes. And even that would be purely because of the opposition fans on here having a bit of fun. So if you're gonna make that argument, save it.
With that said, I'm really struggling to see why you've taken your Schweinsteiger is a waste of time position. Our performances this season seem to indicate 4-3-3 with Herrera and Pogba flanking Carrick is our best team. Now, Carrick is deservedly first choice here, but he's also 35 years old and so, can't play every game. Fellaini and Herrera have both shown themselves to be uncomfortable in the Carrick role, while Schweinsteiger has just had a very good game in that role. Would he be able to replicate that same level against a Premier League team? I don't know, but his performance was encouraging and till he actually plays a league game, we can't be sure. I have my doubts, but he showed at the Euros that he does still have the ability. He started knockout games against Italy and France and did well. The game against Italy was a very cagey one and although he wasn't that great, and Ozil was the one who produced Germany's goal IIRC, in a game where both teams were struggling to impose themselves, him and Toni Kroos seemed to be the only players still capable of keeping possession. Against France, he gave away a stupid penalty, but he absolutely ran the game and completely dominated a midfield of Matuidi and the soon-to-be most expensive player in the world. So, he may yet surprise us.
That said, even if it doesn't pan out well, he seems a more than capable deputy to Carrick for simpler games where we need to rest players. Why you can't just look at his performance and give him credit for a good game (and that isn't just me speaking; he was voted MOTM here, was voted MOTM in the post game twitter poll that United do, and was also MOTM according to the WhoScored performance index) is beyond me. I mean he's here for the rest of the season and getting paid for it, so we might as well use him when we need to, right?
As for the being a burden on Bayern thing, that isn't really true. I mean yeah he was having a lot of injury problems, particularly in his knees and ankles, but he was playing when fit. You keep mentioning the fact that Bayern were buying central midfielders yet conveniently ignore that he was starting above these players.
He was obviously instrumental in the treble winning season, and in the season after, when Pep Guardiola took over is when his injury problems started. Even then, with him being available for 25 of the 34 match days in the Bundesliga, he started 23 games, coming in as a substitute in another. This includes games against Dortmund, Leverkusen, Gladbach, Wolfsburg and Schalke (only mentioning the better teams here). He also started all the group stage games in the Champions League except for 2 against CSKA and Manchester City where he was out with an ankle injury. Also missed the away leg against Arsenal but started at home, started against us but missed the return leg due to a red card, and then started against Real Madrid where as you may remember, Bayern got hammered and knocked out.
In 14/15, he started the season injured with a Patella problem and missed the first 11 match weeks in the Bundesliga. He was still involved in 20 league games (missed a further 2 due to a tear), starting 15, including games against Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Leverkusen, Gladbach and Mainz. Him and Alonso both started in games against Hoffenheim, Hertha, Leverkusen, Augsburg, Freiburg (these are games in succession), Wolfsburg, Schalke and Stuttgart with Alonso missing a match in between against Mainz due to injury. After Stuttgart, Alonso missed another game due to injury against Hamburg (Schweinsteiger started) and then they both again started against Koln, Gladbach, Leverkusen and Dortmund but I think you get the point by now. In fact, him and Alonso both starting was one of the complaints many Bayern fans had because their games didn't complement each other: they both wanted to receive the ball from the defence and dictate the game.
In the Champions League, Schweinsteiger did start against Shakhtar, Porto and Barcelona in the knockout games, missed most of the group stage games due to injury.
So tell me, with Bayern buying so many midfield players, Schweinsteiger being such a "burden" and Pep playing the likes of Lahm and Alaba in midfield, how did he manage to start so many games? The simplest explanation seems to me to be that Pep felt that with Schweinsteiger's injury problems mounting, he could no longer be first choice, Schweinsteiger probably felt that United were a good chance to test himself in another league, at a famous club that he admired (I'm sure you've seen the photo of a young Schweinsteiger in a United shirt that his brother posted on Twitter), with good wages and with a coach he liked. Taking all factors into consideration, both probably felt that it was a good idea to part ways. Your post makes it seem like Bayern were desperate to get rid and were laughing all the way to the bank after they conned us into signing him.
Vidal was of course, bought the season Schweinsteiger moved on, so can't really comment on what their roles might have been.
In case you were interested, these are according to WhoScored, Bayern's most common line up in the Bundesliga in 2013/14:
Neuer
Rafinha-Dante-Boateng-Alaba
Lahm
Schweinsteiger-Kroos
Muller-Mandzukic-Ribery
Their most common line-up in the Bundesliga in 2014/15:
Neuer
Rafinha-Dante-Boateng-Bernat
Alonso-Lahm-Schweinsteiger
Muller-Lewandowski-Gotze
Their second most common line-up in 2014/15:
Neuer
Rafinha-Boateng-Batstuber-Bernat
Schweinsteiger-Alaba
Robben-Gotze-Ribery
Lewandowski
Though the second one was only used 4 times and Pep's Bayern changed starting 11s regularly so isn't really much to speak about. The point is Bastian Schweinsteiger was still very much a wanted member of the Bayern squad.
Yep, it seems to me a strange suggestion that he simply came to United for the retirement money after Bayern pushed him out. Even leaving aside that he mist be quite wealthy given that he was a regular starter at one of the biggest clubs in the world and the numerous sponsorship deals with Adidas and Audi that came with it, surely going to the US was an easier retirement option? And even if we accept that he only wants the money, why keep working in training and fight your way back into the team if that's the case? He could've just sat on his arse when he was told he won't be considered for the first team. He was going to get paid regardless, and if United wanted him out they would've had to pay him compensation for terminating his contract. I feel like @devilish is getting his feelings about the Schweinsteiger situation and overpaid football players get in the way of his objective assessment.
@SomeRandomPerson good post.
Some fans just want to air an opinion for the sake of it, or pretend to be experts on how players are feeling, how managers are mistreating players, how they can tell a player needs to be sold within 25mins of playing or how they are the club's Accountants and know the exact cost and benefits of keeping players and selling them.
The CAF is full of experts in everything who certified themselves.
Top drawer wasn't it.
It's what I would have loved to have posted if I just had the patience
More quality stuff, as if a manager has never changed their mind before
erm?More quality stuff, as if a manager has never changed their mind before
You really seem excited by the fact that Bastian had played against the pre-ultimate team in the Championship aren't you?
Lets see how many games he will play against the top sides now. We still have to face Shitty, Arsenal and Chelsea. These are the games you need 200k a week players to feature. The Wigan game could and should have been played by youths
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His cross for Fellaini goal is one of the best/ most beautiful we produce for ages.
He looks a bit slimmer this game than few weeks back.
A very good performance, but it's early to judge whether he can really get back at very top level. Hope he does since we would need some squad depth given our option in the central midfield area (the no 6 role)
He looks a bit slimmer this game than few weeks back.
A very good performance, but it's early to judge whether he can really get back at very top level. Hope he does since we would need some squad depth given our option in the central midfield area (the no 6 role)
I have a theory on this whole BFS thing, and I'm not sure if its been posted here before but here goes:
1. BFS's injury problems meant that he wasn't playing enough for Bayern. He felt that he needs to make a move (and like he said before, the only club who he would switch for Bayern was Man Utd.).
2. BFS comes here and has a big adjustment to make in his first season. Gets injured mid-way and has an on-again/ off-again season. LVG suffers for this because he was really hoping that BFS solves United's midfield issue.
3. Jose thinks (a) BFS had a poor season and is injury prone, (b) he's been a Pep/ LVG type player for the last 4-5 years (pass, pass, pass ...) and doesn't suit his vision for United, and (c) is not a long-term solution (like Morgan could have been). He wants to make a statement to the players about who's boss and sends BFS to the reserves to get him out of the club. (Reduce his wages from the overall bill).
I really think, BFS's Pep - LVG connection has a lot to do with that decision. Jose really does have a big 'anti-Pep' agenda.
4. BFS doesn't leave (as he doesnt want to play for another other club). Starts training with the reserves. Impresses Jose with the attitude. Jose brings him back and has now finally given him his first proper chance to play in Jose's system.
I think that's some great professionalism and commitment from BFS and some maturity from Jose to acknowledge that BFS could offer something to the team. I hope he plays more often for the rest of the season with so many games coming thick and fast. Plus, BFS's attitude around the whole club will be a perfect example for Jose to give youngsters like TFM, Tuanzebe etc. If you don't get the chances - keep at it, and they will come soon!
1. BFS's injury problems meant that he wasn't playing enough for Bayern. He felt that he needs to make a move (and like he said before, the only club who he would switch for Bayern was Man Utd.).
2. BFS comes here and has a big adjustment to make in his first season. Gets injured mid-way and has an on-again/ off-again season. LVG suffers for this because he was really hoping that BFS solves United's midfield issue.
3. Jose thinks (a) BFS had a poor season and is injury prone, (b) he's been a Pep/ LVG type player for the last 4-5 years (pass, pass, pass ...) and doesn't suit his vision for United, and (c) is not a long-term solution (like Morgan could have been). He wants to make a statement to the players about who's boss and sends BFS to the reserves to get him out of the club. (Reduce his wages from the overall bill).
I really think, BFS's Pep - LVG connection has a lot to do with that decision. Jose really does have a big 'anti-Pep' agenda.
4. BFS doesn't leave (as he doesnt want to play for another other club). Starts training with the reserves. Impresses Jose with the attitude. Jose brings him back and has now finally given him his first proper chance to play in Jose's system.
I think that's some great professionalism and commitment from BFS and some maturity from Jose to acknowledge that BFS could offer something to the team. I hope he plays more often for the rest of the season with so many games coming thick and fast. Plus, BFS's attitude around the whole club will be a perfect example for Jose to give youngsters like TFM, Tuanzebe etc. If you don't get the chances - keep at it, and they will come soon!
I think Duncan Castle's narrative ( which was posted before Bastian was even allowed to train with the first team) is very truthful in this situation:
1. Bastian came here but lack hunger. Seeing how unfit he was with us comparing to his last games for Bayern.
2. LVG showed favoritism toward Bastian while managing other players with iron rod. Bastian was allowed to travel around with his back then fiancee while the team needs focus on result. Bastian became the black sheep in our dressing room
3. Mourinho does appreciate Bastian's talent, but he has other problem to deal with our team. Bastian's exile is a political move (arguably a correct move at the time).
Now Bastian has worked hard to show that he wanted to be here and the team has progressed and more comfortable to welcome him back in than back then.
He stayed, fought for his place and had a good game. But no, apparently he has already retired and doesnt want to play football anymore. I Iove this place.
Hes playing because
A- we lack the numbers
B- we failed in push him out.
C- it was a game in which mou could rest players in
Ill be very surprised if bastian play in meaninful games especially next season when we will bring new players in
A- we lack the numbers
B- we failed in push him out.
C- it was a game in which mou could rest players in
Ill be very surprised if bastian play in meaninful games especially next season when we will bring new players in
Match vs Wigan was a meaningful game, it was FA cup tie.
Maybe Jose was impressed with Schweinsteiger's professionalism and his work in training.
The Wigan match showed Bastian still has some fuel left in his tank. So far so good. With Morgan gone, he will likely get game time in relatively unimportant matches. But I don't think he will be a regular part of the squad in PL. I also think this is his last season as an active player in United. Next year, with new players coming in, he will be got rid of.
It was a game against the preultimate team in the Championship table, which is more or less, at a testimonial game level. Someone like Bastian could handle that.
Honestly I would have rather see us play a kid instead.
Wolves are 18th in championship and beat Liverpool at Anfield. We got smashed 4-0 against MK Dons who were in league 1. So it was a meaningful game and which we had to win to avoid extra game.
On a good day, any team can beat the favourites. It happens all the time. There again, you expect a player like Bastian to still be able to keep the pace against a team whose pre-ultimate in the championship especially if you surround him with internationals (Romero, Smalling, Rojo, Fellaini, Rooney, Martial etc).
If you ask me, we did our best to get rid off him and we failed. Considering that
a- our summer transfer targets aren't available during the January window
b - we were successful in selling Schneiderlin
then we're currently light in CM
Under such circumstances we might as well use Bastian as an extra body to throw in the deep end when we need players to be rested.
I would be very surprised if Bastian features in games next year expecially if Mou gets his men. That of course unless we suffer from a series of injuries which would force our hand.
Done himself no harm the other night, after a turbulent opening half hour (which all 11 players had) he settled in well & was without doubt a candidate for MOTM.
With Carrick-Pogba-Herrera going off the boil we should starting involving him more for league games.
St. Etienne 0:1 Man Utd
Looked quite good when he came on
Oozed class. BFS.
Oozed class, looks fitter with every appearance. Surely should be taking some of Fellaini's minutes now?
BFS
Glad to hear it as I missed most of the match. If Carrick is injured, do you think he looked good enough to make the squad for the Cup final?
Oozed Class did our BFS
Didn't really do anything wrong. Maybe he should get some more minutes?
I'll likely get shot down for this but I personally think he's still a better player than both Fellaini (obviously) and Carrick and should be getting a lot more minutes for us than he currently is.
Class when he came on
Let's face it though they were shite tonight
Let's face it though they were shite tonight
Pretty good, pretty good.
I agree.
Nice little cameo.
You are correct.
Introduced at a nice time when the opposition had started sitting off, but played well and was tidy on the ball.
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