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2017-18 Performances


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Jacky Quacky

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The overreactions are fecking pathetic, mourinho said he was really tired after midweek and he was fantastic then. If he does well against Liverpool those who constantly say how we should sell him after every game need to give up.
 

Santoryo

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What the he'll happened to Mhki anyways. His form has dipped tremendously and seems like he can't keep the ball.

I've spent the most part of my time in this thread defending him and felt people were harsh on him but his current form is very worrying.

When he plays well and assured, whenever he get the ball in that final third I was expecting something to happen, be it key pass and such but lately whenever Mhki gets the ball be it deep or close to the opponent box I expect him to lose the ball either via a misplace simple pass or pushed off it. And it happens 9 times out of 10.

His form has started worrying me now. He's incredibly wasteful, he needs to work on that part of his game. He can't keep turning over possession that easily and for every single pass or challenge.
 

Raees

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His style of play especially in a side like ours is to be the game breaker and turn passive possession into dangerous possession. He is unique for a 10 in that he's incredibly dynamic and can track back and bomb forwards at electric speed with or without the ball. He reminds me of a young Giggs/Di Maria but an attacking mid version where his decision making is all over the place but when he gets it right he can be spectacular and despite the inconsistency and frustration with his style of play he can still rack up assists galore.

It's come to the point where it is not a form issue, he permanently plays like this and it must just be his style of play. You have to take the rough with the smooth.. if you stick a Mata in there we keep ball better but look boring as feck in attack and very one paced, or you stick Mkhi in there - lose the ball a lot but when it does click it produces lethal counters or creates very unpredictable attacking situations kinda like how Nani would give the side cutting edge despite his own flaws.

I think people should be careful what they wish for if we drop Mkhi. We're scoring shit loads with him as a 10, he creates chaos - take him out and the team starts playing in straight lines and loses its penetration.

If we want a replacement we need a dynamic 10 with a better footballing brain who combines him and Mata. But if I had to pick between them Mkhi all day as the side as a whole is better for his presence.
 

Pace Abuser

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I've defended him but it's looking more an d more he's just not very athletic and blessed with stamina.

*edit* by athletic I mean he's not built for grueling schedules or intensity.
 
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Footballsaurus

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I don't think he played bad today. However, his contribution is immense. During preseason derby with Man City, it was very clear that we dominated. Most of the domination was through center via Mhki. I don't think the problem is the attack but rather the variety of.

This season we have seen more of a threat from wings. More crosses and more cutting in from the sides (not through center). All teams target Mhki. I have noticed he has always at least three around him constantly as he roams. Mata is starting to donthis. I think if you get Greizmann, he will roam as well and it will overload opponent. However, ironically, having more in the center congests the middle. What I think will improve and take pressure away from Mhki (or AG) will be more variety from sides. More width will push opponent to move away from center.

Let's be honest Greizmann against Chelsea was terrible and it is not as simple as throwing AG into the mix as most think the problem is with Mhki. AG is going to face same problem. It was apparent that AG was having same problem against Chelsea. I just don't think it's smart going gung-ho on the AG band wagon without solving the width issue. Matic also was losing possession and making bad passes, honestly, I noticed it one or two times but his other contributions were immense. The other factor is fatigue and when you look at whole team as whole they were just cruising.

End of the day, I just don't think it's smart thinking that Mhki does nothing as we have had many games without him and MU played much worse. Notice, we add a striker that has pace and size and a controlling Mifielder, we are beating teams 4-0. I think adding width will add more value. Any number 10 is going to face the dilemma of limited space. Our attack cuts in centrally and opposition targets center man most often, when you provide more width playing wide and a proper winger, the attack as a whole will improve.
 

MadMike

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He just needs to keep possession of the ball and keep it simple when things are not going for him. He surrenders position so easily. When it's not his day he's a complete liability.
 

MyOnlySolskjaer

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He came big for us in a tight game last season against Spurs with a fantastic goal.

Can understand the reasoning of dropping him against Liverpool but I'd still be reluctant to do it because he contributes goals/assists even when not on song.
 

MadMike

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He is tired after the midweek match.

I believe he'll be back in the goals and assists soon.
It's not about the goals and assists though. Mata had gone, what, 6-7 games without a goal or assist. But Mata doesn't give the ball away so cheaply, he doesn't make you want to pull your hair out.

Mkhi is playing centrally now, not on the wing. He needs to show playmaker qualities. No just collecting assists and goals, but maintaining possession and dictating the tempo.
 

MyOnlySolskjaer

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It's not about the goals and assists though. Mata had gone, what, 6-7 games without a goal or assist. But Mata doesn't give the ball away so cheaply, he doesn't make you want to pull your hair out.

Mkhi is playing centrally now, not on the wing. He needs to show playmaker qualities. No just collecting assists and goals, but maintaining possession and dictating the tempo.
Honestly, he's never been that type of player and at age 28 he'll never become that type of player. It's like asking Di Maria to start playing like David Silva.

He's our ball carrier, his role will be to initiate our counter attacks. He just needs to improve his decision-making.
 

MadMike

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Honestly, he's never been that type of player and at age 28 he'll never become that type of player. It's like asking Di Maria to start playing like David Silva.

He's our ball carrier, his role will be to initiate our counter attacks. He just needs to improve his decision-making.
Then he'll be replaced. At least as far as the #10 position is concerned. We'll sign a #10 (most likely Griezmann, but who knows) and Mkhi will be shoved to the right.
 

ChaddyP

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What a reaction from the "fanbase" :lol:. Wednesday he was great today he's turd. I suspect he will look much better to you bunch when he's playing with pogba or Herrera as the CM. When fellaini is there he gets crowded out as there is no reason in the world to break ranks and press Fellaini when he has time and space on the center circle :lol:.
 

Dave46

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The overreactions are fecking pathetic, mourinho said he was really tired after midweek and he was fantastic then. If he does well against Liverpool those who constantly say how we should sell him after every game need to give up.
They won't give up, trust me.
 

Cee90

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The overreactions are fecking pathetic, mourinho said he was really tired after midweek and he was fantastic then. If he does well against Liverpool those who constantly say how we should sell him after every game need to give up.
Well if he's tired why play him in the first place? Sounds like an excuse to me.

Sure, he's racked up a good amount of goals and assists this season, but his overall play has not been impressive at all. Yes, that includes midweek in Moscow. There's no way I would say his performance against CSKA was 'fantastic' anyway, perhaps I have high standards for what a United number 10 should be, I don't know.

I just watch the likes of De Bruyne and I can't help but feel Mkhitaryan isn't near his level.

In my opinion, Mkhitaryan is an extremely frustrating player. He rarely wins a 50/50, gets bullied off the ball too easily, and has been sloppy in possession. Have you actually seen him take the game by the scruff of the neck? Reminds me of Ozil in that regard. A good player on his day, but he is not really a game changer.

This is a forum and people have varying opinions and for you to call those opinions pathetic is unreasonable.
 

Isotope

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He might have an inherent ability to see 2 seconds ahead of time. It's sporadically surfaced unconsciously, triggered by unknown event. So in his view, the opponent shouldn't be in where he pass the ball.
 

Camilo

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Then he'll be replaced. At least as far as the #10 position is concerned. We'll sign a #10 (most likely Griezmann, but who knows) and Mkhi will be shoved to the right.
I don't think he'll be shoved right, I think he'll be shoved out the door in the summer. People seem to see Ozil mk2, but with more goal threat when they watch him... I see Aiden Mcgeady.

Hopefully he'll keep chipping in until then though - if he keeps on doing what he's doing we've a chance of success this year.. Average or not, he's doing his part (just like Cleverly did in SAFs final year).
 

Silas

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I don't think he'll be shoved right, I think he'll be shoved out the door in the summer. People seem to see Ozil mk2, but with more goal threat when they watch him... I see Aiden Mcgeady.

Hopefully he'll keep chipping in until then though - if he keeps on doing what he's doing we've a chance of success this year.. Average or not, he's doing his part (just like Cleverly did in SAFs final year).
Why would we sell him? At most he'll become a squad player.
 

MadMike

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What a reaction from the "fanbase" :lol:. Wednesday he was great today he's turd. I suspect he will look much better to you bunch when he's playing with pogba or Herrera as the CM. When fellaini is there he gets crowded out as there is no reason in the world to break ranks and press Fellaini when he has time and space on the center circle :lol:.
He wasn't great on Wednesday. He grabbed a goal for sure but again his distribution was very erratic through out the match. And that was against a very poor team. Was watching it in the pub with another 8 Cafites and everyone was saying the exact same thing.

I mean you'd have to be pretty shallow in your analysis to just look at the goals/assist stats and ignore how many times he surrenders possession in a game.

He's still a very useful player to have but he seems to be a Nani type, someone you can't afford to build your team around due to how inconsistent he is. Compare him to other playmakers like KDB, Silva, Thiago, Isco etc who apart from popping up with goals and assists, they also maintain possession of the ball infinitely better.
 

krazyrobus

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I'm starting to think Mkhi is going to be our new Veron. The sample size may be small but so far he seems to play a better overall game in continental competitions than in the PL.
 

Alexrad

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Well if he's tired why play him in the first place? Sounds like an excuse to me.

Sure, he's racked up a good amount of goals and assists this season, but his overall play has not been impressive at all. Yes, that includes midweek in Moscow. There's no way I would say his performance against CSKA was 'fantastic' anyway, perhaps I have high standards for what a United number 10 should be, I don't know.

I just watch the likes of De Bruyne and I can't help but feel Mkhitaryan isn't near his level.

In my opinion, Mkhitaryan is an extremely frustrating player. He rarely wins a 50/50, gets bullied off the ball too easily, and has been sloppy in possession. Have you actually seen him take the game by the scruff of the neck? Reminds me of Ozil in that regard. A good player on his day, but he is not really a game changer.

This is a forum and people have varying opinions and for you to call those opinions pathetic is unreasonable.
Agree...and I actually feel he would be better for us on the right wing cause he can still produce odd moment of brilliance and creation (and we completely lack that from the right wing, so that would already be an improvement) and him being there and misplacing a pass or being bullied off the ball wouldn't be nearly as dangerous as him doing that where he is right now. On top of that we would probably play Pogba in his position which would bring added sharpness to our attack.
 

Donsangre

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I've defended him but it's looking more an d more he's just not very athletic and blessed with stamina.

*edit* by athletic I mean he's not built for grueling schedules or intensity.
He was fine last season. He played with the same schedule for the last several years. Dortmund plays 10 times faster than we do. I dont remember anyone complaining about his form. He is not 50 either. Was just a bad game for him and besides he only played for an hour.
 

Donsangre

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He wasn't great on Wednesday. He grabbed a goal for sure but again his distribution was very erratic through out the match. And that was against a very poor team. Was watching it in the pub with another 8 Cafites and everyone was saying the exact same thing.

I mean you'd have to be pretty shallow in your analysis to just look at the goals/assist stats and ignore how many times he surrenders possession in a game.

He's still a very useful player to have but he seems to be a Nani type, someone you can't afford to build your team around due to how inconsistent he is. Compare him to other playmakers like KDB, Silva, Thiago, Isco etc who apart from popping up with goals and assists, they also maintain possession of the ball infinitely better.
Have you watched a full game with KDB lately? Everyone loses the ball. KDB plays in a different team with similar minded players around. There is no ground for comparison.
 

Donsangre

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I don't think he'll be shoved right, I think he'll be shoved out the door in the summer. People seem to see Ozil mk2, but with more goal threat when they watch him... I see Aiden Mcgeady.

Hopefully he'll keep chipping in until then though - if he keeps on doing what he's doing we've a chance of success this year.. Average or not, he's doing his part (just like Cleverly did in SAFs final year).
Mcgeady? haha. Spartak got rid of him. That guy lost most of his speed when switched to Everton. I used to watch Spartak playing, he was ok on the flank. Not much brain, just speed. I dont even know how can such a comparison appear in you mind?
 

Donsangre

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I don't think he played bad today. However, his contribution is immense. During preseason derby with Man City, it was very clear that we dominated. Most of the domination was through center via Mhki. I don't think the problem is the attack but rather the variety of.

This season we have seen more of a threat from wings. More crosses and more cutting in from the sides (not through center). All teams target Mhki. I have noticed he has always at least three around him constantly as he roams. Mata is starting to donthis. I think if you get Greizmann, he will roam as well and it will overload opponent. However, ironically, having more in the center congests the middle. What I think will improve and take pressure away from Mhki (or AG) will be more variety from sides. More width will push opponent to move away from center.

Let's be honest Greizmann against Chelsea was terrible and it is not as simple as throwing AG into the mix as most think the problem is with Mhki. AG is going to face same problem. It was apparent that AG was having same problem against Chelsea. I just don't think it's smart going gung-ho on the AG band wagon without solving the width issue. Matic also was losing possession and making bad passes, honestly, I noticed it one or two times but his other contributions were immense. The other factor is fatigue and when you look at whole team as whole they were just cruising.

End of the day, I just don't think it's smart thinking that Mhki does nothing as we have had many games without him and MU played much worse. Notice, we add a striker that has pace and size and a controlling Mifielder, we are beating teams 4-0. I think adding width will add more value. Any number 10 is going to face the dilemma of limited space. Our attack cuts in centrally and opposition targets center man most often, when you provide more width playing wide and a proper winger, the attack as a whole will improve.
I agree, at least three every time he gets the ball in the middle. That is very good for the team. Opens up more space for the others. City was very good at pressing today. I hope we can hold them. Im not worried about Pool. Their defense is shit, all we have to do is score more than they do. Remember what brazilian's used to say?"score as much as you can, we will score as much as we want":)
 

Varun

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Some of the posts in here :lol:

"He'll be at Milan in 2019" , " Show him the door" and the best one "I see Mcgeady in him"

Insane.
 

Pace Abuser

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He was fine last season. He played with the same schedule for the last several years. Dortmund plays 10 times faster than we do. I dont remember anyone complaining about his form. He is not 50 either. Was just a bad game for him and besides he only played for an hour.
He barely got a look in in the beginning of the season. Then got a proper chance against Spurs and was injured. He had a very stop start season. At Dortmund only his last season was highly productive, before that and especially under Klopp he was in and out of the side not to mention they have a winter break.

Mkhi just seems to be knackered and his game goes to rubbish with it. This is a personal observation to explain his wild inconsistency and it may be off the mark admittedly. The other explanation being he's a fair weather player, therefore Griezman in summer.
 

Mcking

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We lack a playmaker. A playmaker in the De bruyne and eriksen class, a real playmaker. The number of attacks and counters Mkhi ruins per game is so frustrating and he can't keep the damn ball. If he keeps dropping 2/10s like he's being doing lately -especially in the big games-, then I have great fear for our title ambitions.
 

Paxi

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If Ozil is available next summer on a free I’d 100% upgrade. No brainer, really.

Mhitaryan is way too inconsistent. Built like a side of a fiver - so he gets bullied off the ball. Relies only on confidence and he’s also deceptively slow.
 

Ferguson

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I don't get all the criticism. Our good form has coincided with playing Mkhitaryan in a central role and that isn't coincidental.

He's tired from the midweek and the accumulation of matches. Mourinho even said he could see Mkhitaryan's tiredness in his post match interview. Jose knows his player. He knows it is tiredness, not a lack of quality.

He has equalled a 23 year old record for assists at the start of a season. United are winning 4-0 match after match. This isn't a coincidence.

If opponents have to focus on him, crowd him out, and give him no time on the ball, then that means there is space elsewhere on the pitch for Rashford, Martial, Lukaku, and Mata to operate. And given his assist totals, it is hard to say their defensive tactics are really working on Mkhitaryan.

I don't think Griezmann will stop Mourinho from playing Mkhitaryan. Ok, he may move out to the right, but I could also see Antoine coming in from the right with Mkhi staying where he is. As for Ozil, he doesn't put in a defensive shift like Henrikh. I know that in the past Jose has called Ozil the best number 10 in the world, but I don't think he would seriously swap Mkhi for Ozil on their recent form in the Premier League. I think the Ozil rumors are just made up by journalists with nothing better to do. Ozil is too lazy defensively these days for Jose.
 

11101

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Agree...and I actually feel he would be better for us on the right wing cause he can still produce odd moment of brilliance and creation (and we completely lack that from the right wing, so that would already be an improvement) and him being there and misplacing a pass or being bullied off the ball wouldn't be nearly as dangerous as him doing that where he is right now. On top of that we would probably play Pogba in his position which would bring added sharpness to our attack.
He's rubbish on the wing and Pogba is better playing from deep.

He's our best option in the 10 role. People are underestimating his impact and the difference it makes having someone in that position who can pass and run forward with the ball through a defensive line. Even if he loses it from time to time it creates so much space for others.

Mata is too easy to defend there because you know he is only ever going to look for a pass. There is no danger of him bringing it 30-40 yards forward himself.
 
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