[Brwned]

It’s always a good ouel Caf thing when a player hits form to pretend that he wasn’t utter shite previous to that. Matic has been appalling for a long time now, to pretend otherwise is willfully obtuse.

You're only saying that because you read everything through this prism:

We should never have signed him. Some on here weirdly got extremely defensive and tried to convince us all that he was this absolute colossus and anyone that didn't agree, was clueless etc. The fact is, he had been on a massive decline at Chelsea and despite his good start here, he's generally been extremely poor. I don't actually ever think he was close to being an elite level player, more that he had maybe 2 great seasons, if even that.

It's pure revisionism. The problem is, plenty went all out when we signed him - especially after the West Ham game - and slated anyone who didn't want him and we were all told we knew nothing about football, yada, yada. Funnily enough, the majority of these culprits are now nowhere to be seen, but the few that remain, will make out like he was brilliant last season, all to save face. Very petty really.

I got verbally abused on here by the holier-than-though crew when I had serious reservations about signing him. Apparently they all knew better than me, being true football fans and all that.

Anyone who wasn't absolutely trashing him when you were was judged as being part of this "holier than thou", "true football fan", "revisionist" Matic fanboy club. You took that position with me until I had to explain otherwise. Surely you can see that.

Like I said before, one possibility is that he was never good enough. I don't think his performances last season fit that narrative, and I think he's showing again that in the right conditions he can be very useful.

Another possibility is that he's past it, so like Scholes towards the end he can have a few good games but is mostly a liability. That's hard to tell but enough of a risk to justify bringing in another young player in his position.

The third possibility is that he is good enough and isn't past it, but Mourinho destroyed his confidence again. You completely ruled that out as a possibility because you were so sure you were right 6 months ago, 12 months ago and 18 months ago. Good for you man but if people don't agree with you, it isn't because they're biased, clueless or think they're "better" football fans. They just see different things than you see.

So when people are talking about this being the Matic we want to see, or this being the reason we bought him, or maybe even eventually this being a top midfielder...maybe consider they're not trying to revise history or save face? Maybe they just want to put the past behind them. Most people don't care thar much about whether they were "right" about Matic at various points. They just care about what they're seeing now and in the future.

If you need to attack people that have different opinions, that's fine, but just know that no-one cares about their opinion of Matic more than you. And if people seem less graceful in accepting your different views, it is because of the tone of the posts quoted above. It's so needlessly dismissive.

 

[RooneyLegend]

Who knew all of these expensive midfielders can actually play football.

 

[In Rainbows]

Matic has been good these last 3 games. He's been more involved in the attack, and clearly is playing with more freedom. I've been one of his critics since last season.

 

[kafta]

Greet to have him back. He is world class at his best, and he has been rejuvenated under ole.

 

[dogwithabone]

So much better last 3 games. It was noticeable yesterday that he was trying everything to avoid passing backwards and two or theee threaded passes almost got a team mate in. Got good feet too and side stepped a few challenges that allowed gave him space and time to be more forward thinking.

A Carrick-esque performance.

 

[Slevs]

Passing quicker, moving better, trying forward balls more. I like this version of Matic.

 

[SSSSnake]

Matic is bang on form and he’s got a great range of passing which I almost forgot. However against the Cities and Liverpool’s he doesnt get about the pitch affectively.

 

[Hamadovich86]

How is he playing so well now? I thought he was a Mourinho guy? Downed tool probably ...

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

I still don't think he's up to much defensively, but his creativity in midfield is underrated. Some of his passing these last 3 games has been brilliant.

I can only assume Mourinho completely restricted Matic from passing the ball forward and told him to just focus on the defensive side of the game. Which he isn't very good at, which is why he's looked so terrible this season.

Ole is using him much better.

 

[Robbie Boy]

You're only saying that because you read everything through this prism:






Anyone who wasn't absolutely trashing him when you were was judged as being part of this "holier than thou", "true football fan", "revisionist" Matic fanboy club. You took that position with me until I had to explain otherwise. Surely you can see that.

Like I said before, one possibility is that he was never good enough. I don't think his performances last season fit that narrative, and I think he's showing again that in the right conditions he can be very useful.

Another possibility is that he's past it, so like Scholes towards the end he can have a few good games but is mostly a liability. That's hard to tell but enough of a risk to justify bringing in another young player in his position.

The third possibility is that he is good enough and isn't past it, but Mourinho destroyed his confidence again. You completely ruled that out as a possibility because you were so sure you were right 6 months ago, 12 months ago and 18 months ago. Good for you man but if people don't agree with you, it isn't because they're biased, clueless or think they're "better" football fans. They just see different things than you see.

So when people are talking about this being the Matic we want to see, or this being the reason we bought him, or maybe even eventually this being a top midfielder...maybe consider they're not trying to revise history or save face? Maybe they just want to put the past behind them. Most people don't care thar much about whether they were "right" about Matic at various points. They just care about what they're seeing now and in the future.

If you need to attack people that have different opinions, that's fine, but just know that no-one cares about their opinion of Matic more than you. And if people seem less graceful in accepting your different views, it is because of the tone of the posts quoted above. It's so needlessly dismissive.

Jeez calm down. He was shite for a long time and I would still happily replace him. Playing decent now so that’s good. Just don’t smash that keyboard with rage.

Edit: BTW I praised him plenty last season the posts are there to see

 

[Raees]

Always been a huge fan of Matic and glad to see he’s being unleashed under Ole and demonstrating he’s a silky player with good range of passing and superb ball carrying ability. I still think he’s slightly past his peak and dangerous from a defensive perspective but with an energetic and tenacious presence like Herrera protecting him - they’ll form a good base in front of the defence for most games.

 

[Brwned]

Jeez calm down. He was shite for a long time and I would still happily replace him. Playing decent now so that’s good. Just don’t smash that keyboard with rage.

Edit: BTW I praised him plenty last season the posts are there to see

Again this is you reading posts through your own perspective on this subject. You have no idea how little I care about Matic. Rage is so far from the appropriate description it's laughable. It's only ever been you that gets so animated by Matic, not me, and I'd guess few others if anyone. You made it some kind of badge of personal pride that you could see what holier than thou fanboys couldn't see. The reality was always that people just thought differently.

Presumably you can see that now and you're just trying to turn it back on people because you're embarrassed. The main thing to appreciate is no one cares if you are anyone else was right or wrong about Matic. It must be one of the most irrelevant things you've ever cared this much about.

 

[Member 115509]

He was one of Mourinho's favourite sons, so it is pleasing to see he has improved along with other players, against Bournemouth he was considerably more mobile than usual, making forward runs playing some decent passes and looking like a player as opposed to his slow motion, insipid displays for the most part under Mourinho.

I was pleased to see him being signed in the first place, but now he looks like he will hopefully play a part in the new regime.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Again this is you reading posts through your own perspective on this subject. You have no idea how little I care about Matic. Rage is so far from the appropriate description it's laughable. It's only ever been you that gets so animated by Matic, not me, and I'd guess few others if anyone. You made it some kind of badge of personal pride that you could see what holier than thou fanboys couldn't see. The reality was always that people just thought differently. Presumably you can see that now and you're just trying to turn it back on people because you're embarrassed.

Your post was a mess tbf and quite rage filled but I’m a good guy so I’m willing to look past that. At the end of the day I was referring to a very specific 3 or 4 posters from his thread last season when I spoke of the “holier than thou” posters. You’re just twisting things to fit your rage filled narrative but as I said, I will look past that. It’s simple really, he was boardering on diabolical and now he’s had 3 good games. As we’re United fans we can at least unanimously celebrate that together.

 

[MAME DIOUF 32]

Well, I thought he was totally done but he looks like a different player. Perhaps much of his indecision earlier in the season was due to the awful movement ahead of him.

 

[VivaObertan]

He's a beast, our Mousa Dembele. Glad people have changed their opinion of him now after all the horrible posts about him over the past few months.

 

[Brwned]

Your post was a mess tbf and quite rage filled but I’m a good guy so I’m willing to look past that. At the end of the day I was referring to a very specific 3 or 4 posters from his thread last season when I spoke of the “holier than thou” posters. You’re just twisting things to fit your rage filled narrative but as I said, I will look past that. It’s simple really, he was boardering on diabolical and now he’s had 3 good games. As we’re United fans we can at least unanimously celebrate that together.

you must really have no idea how you come across

 

[Robbie Boy]

you must really have no idea how you come across

Touché.

 

[Johan07]

I still don't think he's up to much defensively, but his creativity in midfield is underrated. Some of his passing these last 3 games has been brilliant.

I can only assume Mourinho completely restricted Matic from passing the ball forward and told him to just focus on the defensive side of the game. Which he isn't very good at, which is why he's looked so terrible this season.

Ole is using him much better.

All of our players are looking better offensively and IMO the main reason is because we now commit many more players in front of the ball when in possession.
Pogba is playing way higher up the pitch than under Mourinho but still has more players in front of him than he had under Mourinho. Another reason is as you point out that the shackles seems to be have come off when it comes to taking risks in the passing game.
I am still very much afraid regarding how Matic will look in this kind of offensive system against a City or Barca. Or even a Spurs. The latter we are not so far from witnessing so I will reserve judgment until that at least.

 

[haram]

Im guessing its now ok to sign players over the age of 27 then...

 

[simplyared]

He's a beast, our Mousa Dembele. Glad people have changed their opinion of him now after all the horrible posts about him over the past few months.

Agreed!

 

[simplyared]

One of our most important players. Without a fecking doubt!

 

[Rossa]

Im guessing its now ok to sign players over the age of 27 then...

Of course not. Anyone above the age of 18 is over the hill and ready for a retirement home.

 

[Rossa]

you must really have no idea how you come across

Too true!

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

He has clearly improved over the course of the last games.
Still he played a lot of bad passes. For me he is just a bit too slow on and off the ball and the really good attacking players will make him look too static again.

 

[keener]

Matic won't feel like a liability under Ole Gunnar as we are on the attack so much more of the time.

The things Matic is good at are his awareness for one and 2 touches and frankly his touch on the ball is quite good for a big man. He lacks the speed and quickness to be a ball winning defensive minded midfielder like Kante (which I desperately wish we had) but I definitely think his weaknesses were more exposed with Mourinho.

As we watch the games, my kids are tired of me complaining about his lumbering presence in defending and pressing. If we had a player like Herrera in this role that can read and intercept a pass with quickness, I'd like this version of our defense way better than settling for a big guy that is a good pivot point to swing the ball. To me, that's about all he adds.

I'd like to spend the money and get Ngolo Kante or Blaise Matuidi to pair with fellow frenchman Pogba. Maybe Casemiro would leave Madrid??? Worth a try as I think this will improve out team as much as any addition.

 

[youngrell]

You have to wonder what his introductions were under Jose, it was great to see him trying and succeeding in defence splitting passes yesterday.

I think there more in one game than all other games put together.

 

[VP89]

Matic and Pogba are our most improved players. They were clearly misguided and misinstructed under Jose.

Matic will obviously play a few bad passes now because Ole has evidently told him to play bold and keep looking forward. But his style is complimentary to those around him. I find him and Herrera as being vital cogs to the midfield. Just concerned for Fred tbh.

 

[Foxbatt]

It is also because of Herrera. I noticed that one of them always stay behind when the other is moving forward. In Jose's team Matic stays behind and Herrera has to do the box to box stuff if he is playing. Now they interchange so it is less tiring too and when needed Lindelof steps into the midfield role too.

 

[Sgt.Major]

Looking through his stats right now and the time he played is insane:

 

[Toddler]

His games falls through a ceiling when the opposition presses and generally plays with a higher tempo. I'm afraid he is not good enough, but he is the best we got atm.

 

[Irwin99]

A few early misplaced passes but absolutely bossed it after that. Him and Herrera are looking like a very decent combo. Both take it in turns to stay back and push forward.

 

[steakpie]

Looks like a different player. He is never going to be solid defensively or great at tracking returns, but some of his touches, weight of passing and control is fantastic.

 

[Zlatattack]

Looked tired earlier on.

 

[el3mel]

Very poor first half but he improved in the second one.

 

[Minimalist]

Rolls Royce of a midfielder. So calm, strong and assured.

WTF did Mourinho do to him before?!

 

[ivaldo]

I just can’t see what everyone else is seeing. He’s still ponderous on the ball and loses it far too often. Herrera is doing the defensive work of two men because Matic has all but given up tracking a man. If he was closing off passing channels and chipping in with interceptions then I could understand the praise, but all I see is a player doing the basics to an average level. Replace him with a player that either excels with the ball or off it and our midfield will be transformed.

 

[Adisa]

Wash shocking in the first. Thought he was having a laugh.

 

[Crackers]

Played very well tonight, albeit he looked a bit slow at times. Could do with a rest I'd say.

 

[a_devil_inside]

Seemed like most of his passes were behind his team mates