[Regulus Arcturus Black]

I'm unsure why people think Tuanzebe is better than him and will take his place soon. Throughout pre season, it was clear that Lindelof is still a level about Axel.

It's because Axel is shiny new academy product, and a good load of the café lap that up. As Rashford has shown though, a spell of poor form will have them calling for you head mind.

Tuanzebe is a cracking prospect, but as you rightfully said, he's doing nothing thus far to convince anyone he's better than Lindelöf.

 

[RussellWilson]

Thought he was questionable yesterday. Shaky header led to one chance and basically gave Barkley a free shot from 8 yards out at one point. Seems to also be getting credit for fluking his way out of a dangerous situation caused by his own poor control.

There does seem to be some overrating of him going on at the moment. The post above suggesting that letting Barclay have a free shot at goal 8 yards out because De Gea would save it is a good example. We got away with it because Barclay failed to hit the corner but it’s clearly poor defending.

Agree with this. He did well on the ball but basically gave Chelsea their two best chances. Lucky he got away with both.

 

[Raven]

Pretty much. It is also so clear that defenders like Smalling are just a thing of the past. If you cannot play with the ball at your feet, you just cannot play for the top clubs. If we had had Smalling playing today, we would never have kept a clean sheet. The confidence and calmness, and astute use of the ball that Lindelof and Maguire brought today, set the tone for the whole team. With Tuanzebe being on the bench, it seems pretty clear that for Solksjaer, he knows exactly what he wants. Defenders that can not only defend, but also play. I think Smalling will be gone from the club in the next 12 months. Along with Rojo and Bailly. What's keeping Jones here is that he is actually a fairly decent footballer with the ball at his feet, and it is clear Ole rates him higher than Smalling.

I actually didn't realise how much people still don't rate Lindelof. Because he made one mistake yesterday against Chelsea, he's not good enough and never will be, it's like people don't watch other teams play and don't realise that every CB makes cock ups.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Season is long pal

Fantastic. Can’t wait to see loads of Lindelof

 

[AltiUn]

I'm unsure why people think Tuanzebe is better than him and will take his place soon. Throughout pre season, it was clear that Lindelof is still a level about Axel. I do hope Axel can grow into his promise, but I don't think he's as good as either of our first choice centre backs at the moment.

Lindelof had a good game yesterday with a couple of mistakes in there. Needs to iron those out of his game.

I don't think Tuanzebe is currently better by any stretch but I do think he's got a higher ceiling, they share a very similiar skill set but Tuanzebe also has fantastic athleticism too, which I believe could complement Maguire in the future. Right now obviously we'd be mental to take Lindelof out of the team.

 

[haram]

Very good, the partnership off to a good start.

 

[A-man]

Thought he was questionable yesterday. Shaky header led to one chance and basically gave Barkley a free shot from 8 yards out at one point. Seems to also be getting credit for fluking his way out of a dangerous situation caused by his own poor control.

There does seem to be some overrating of him going on at the moment. The post above suggesting that letting Barclay have a free shot at goal 8 yards out because De Gea would save it is a good example. We got away with it because Barclay failed to hit the corner but it’s clearly poor defending.

As I wrote it is not passive defending but a strategy to force the attacker out to a worse angle, wrong foot and make him shoot at the first post. He is not perfecting it every time but it has never cost a goal. The other strategy, to be in front of the player is risking him to move either direction, and the block can bounce in to the goal. Chelsea kind of used this strategy when the block bounced James shot in to goal. Not the same situation as it was more stressful, but you get the idea. Forcing the player to do exactly what you and the goalkeeper are prepared for is not necessarily a poor thing.

Blocked shots ending up in go behind a clueless goalie happen every second match and are always seen as unlucky.

 

[ivaldo]

Not good enough for a top 4 team for me.
Got too many limitations in his game. Average at defending, average in aerial battles. Where he shines is his passing.
But yeah, i am not convinced. Tuanzebe is the future.

Average at defending? Guh? He rarely misses a tackle or finds himself out of position.

 

[Halftrack]

His only real weakness is his aerial game, but it's not like he's bad at it, just inconsistent.

As I wrote it is not passive defending but a strategy to force the attacker out to a worse angle, wrong foot and make him shoot at the first post. He is not perfecting it every time but it has never cost a goal. The other strategy, to be in front of the player is risking him to move either direction, and the block can bounce in to the goal. Chelsea kind of used this strategy when the block bounced James shot in to goal. Not the same situation as it was more stressful, but you get the idea. Forcing the player to do exactly what you and the goalkeeper are prepared for is not necessarily a poor thing.

Blocked shots ending up in go behind a clueless goalie happen every second match and are always seen as unlucky.

I get the impression that he doesn't like leaving things to chance. Like forcing a shot at the near post rather than risking a deflection, or how he always tucks his arms behind his back to avoid hand balls.

 

[Van Piorsing]

He's a very low risk choice when it comes VAR and penalty decisions and I love that, but he seriously needs to reduce distance to shooting opponent at times.

 

[Foxbatt]

This is his first game with Maguire and let them make a partnership. It is also the first real competitive game with Aron. It is the first time the four of the defenders are playing together.

 

[L1nk]

people currently rating Tuanzebe over him, the same people that think Lingard should be first name on the team sheet no doubt.

 

[JJ12]

His performance was a bit underrated because of how well the new boys played.

Solid yet again. Should be a top back 5 for us.

 

[Robbie Boy]

Average at defending? Guh? He rarely misses a tackle or finds himself out of position.

Unfortunately some have made up their mind about Lindelof. This ultimately means they will post nonsense using their preconceived biases rather than what actually occurs on the pitch.

 

[Massive Spanner]

Not good enough for a top 4 team for me.
Got too many limitations in his game. Average at defending, average in aerial battles. Where he shines is his passing.
But yeah, i am not convinced. Tuanzebe is the future.

Fecking hell, he's shown he's more than good enough in the last year. Not every defender can be a VVD or Rio. Him and Maguire already look great together.

 

[romufc]

Fans just want someone to target. Why don't we say we have got a decent back 5, imagine if they form a partnership. I really hope they all play well and become a solid unit for us, including Lindelof.

I dont think fans will appreciate what it will mean having 2 ball playing CB's will do to our team.

 

[ivaldo]

Unfortunately some have made up their mind about Lindelof. This ultimately means they will post nonsense using their preconceived biases rather than what actually occurs on the pitch.

I fear you're right. It's sad really.

 

[JustAGuest]

Unfortunately some have made up their mind about Lindelof. This ultimately means they will post nonsense using their preconceived biases rather than what actually occurs on the pitch.

If they still after last season cannot see why he's starting ahead of Smalling, Jones, and Tuanzebe (there are many examples of these posts in this thread); then ultimately I doubt they will ever see why he is a good player.

 

[hocane]

Fecking hell, he's shown he's more than good enough in the last year. Not every defender can be a VVD or Rio. Him and Maguire already look great together.

He was terrible to the end of last season.
Not convinced me in pre season or yesterday either. I thought Axel looked much better than him in Pre Season, gutted to see Axel on the bench and not starting. Axel got the pace and physicality Lindelof lacks.

I think Axel and Maguire would be a fantastic partnership.

 

[Mcking]

people currently rating Tuanzebe over him, the same people that think Lingard should be first name on the team sheet no doubt.

You just made that up.

Fecking hell, he's shown he's more than good enough in the last year. Not every defender can be a VVD or Rio. Him and Maguire already look great together.

Last season? Not really. He is exactly what I'd describe as an average defender. He's got his composure on the ball going for him, but every other aspect of his game is weak. He isn't going to make too many distinct errors because he shirks, but you just have to look at the amount of defending his partner has to do every game.

 

[Virgil]

Unfortunately some have made up their mind about Lindelof. This ultimately means they will post nonsense using their preconceived biases rather than what actually occurs on the pitch.

Well said and so true.

 

[ash_86]

any gif or video highlight of that particular moment ?

https://v.redd.it/hbftfod7jzf31/DASH_1080?source=fallback

 

[AP88]

Epitome of average, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for a centreback; Jones and Bailly have fluctuated between immense and idiotic for years, without ever leveling out at competent.

He can be upgraded eventually, but there are another 5 players who should be first, so he’ll prove to be useful in the meantime.

 

[noodlehair]

Had a good game but he messed up on the ball in where they hit the bar, and also just let Barkley get a free shot in on goal when he was one on one with him. Would have been us 2-1 down on another day so I wouldn't go as far as saying he played better than Maguire.

It's the lack of panicking that makes the big difference though. He is quite a composed player so having someone next to him who doesn't panic every time the ball comes near them makes our whole defence look more assured.

 

[JustAGuest]

You just made that up.
Last season? Not really. He is exactly what I'd describe as an average defender. He's got his composure on the ball going for him, but every other aspect of his game is weak. He isn't going to make too many distinct errors because he shirks, but you just have to look at the amount of defending his partner has to do every game.

The reason he doesn't get as many defensive actions is because he has a more passive playstyle. Put him next to an aggressive defender, and they will complement each other well. Judging him solely on the amount of defensive actions he makes per game is silly.

 

[Mcking]

The reason he doesn't get as many defensive actions is because he has a more passive playstyle. Put him next to an aggressive defender, and they will complement each other well. Judging him solely on the amount of defensive actions he makes per game is silly.

Yes, he is passive and that is probably the reason we conceded plenty with him as our regular centre half last season. Defensive actions has to be made, or the opponent retains the ball. He needs an aggressive partner to carry him more like.

 

[Ekeke]

https://v.redd.it/hbftfod7jzf31/DASH_1080?source=fallback

good moment

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Other than letting Barkley have a free shot at DDG’s goals in the 1st half, I thought he done really well. Remember that this was the first time he had played next to Maguire and both looked as solid as a rock. Something I haven’t said about a Man Utd CB partnership for a very long time! They are only going to get better the more they play with each other. Calm and composed whilst in possession. Chelsea were high pressing us from the off and I thought he coped really well with that.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

I think the hope will be to develop Tuanzebe into a starting role so we can push higher up the pitch when in possession. High press and deep defence leads to easy counter attacks.

 

[JustAGuest]

Yes, he is passive and that is probably the reason we conceded plenty with him as our regular centre half last season. Defensive actions has to be made, or the opponent retains the ball. He needs an aggressive partner to carry him more like.

You must think Wes Morgan had a better season than Maguire last year then, as he averaged both more tackles and more interceptions per game.

 

[Hawks2008]

Unfortunately some have made up their mind about Lindelof. This ultimately means they will post nonsense using their preconceived biases rather than what actually occurs on the pitch.

It's cause he isn't an all action defender. He doesn't make the big booming headers or clattering tackles or rash lunges for the ball, instead he is mostly composed and patient in his approach. They'd rather watch Jones Bailly and Smalling be all useless in their own ways cause they do the big acts. Not that he's perfect but he very rarely costs us and he is a modern defender, thankfully we have brought another modern defender to play with him. It's just nuts now that Tuanzebe is now better than him according to some

 

[Solius]

Lindelof has been great for us ever since Juventus last season. He was brilliant yesterday.

 

[AshRK]

Maguire may have taken all the plaudits but he was my MOTM. I really enjoy the way he is so calm and composed withe ball. There was a moment where he was surrounded by chelsea players but he did not lose the ball but instead kept the possession. You could never see that with Smalling or Jones. Also, it was refreshing to see no hoofing the ball crap. Just keep the possession and move forward. Wonderful performance.

 

[Handré1990]

Was good yesterday. Like some have already pointed out, Maguire was better, so that fact might cool the impression somewhat. I have high hopes for our defensive unit this season.

 

[OldPop]

Since November-December last year, he is one of the few in the team who has always done his best, and has done well. Mistakes make everyone, even he, but they are few.

Wish he could play a little more aggressively sometimes and saw glimpses of it against Chelsea, it looked good and I'm sure Ole has talked to him about it. It's probably also because he dares and can take greater risks with Maguire and AWB in the team.

With the relatively weak midfield we have, there will be many tough matches, but with the quality we have now I think that challenge will make our young defenders even better.

 

[OldPop]

I actually didn't realise how much people still don't rate Lindelof. Because he made one mistake yesterday against Chelsea, he's not good enough and never will be, it's like people don't watch other teams play and don't realise that every CB makes cock ups.

Well said!

 

[Kevin_]

It took ages for me to feel comfortable with De Gea in goal after his horrid start at the club. I have the same feeling with Lindeloff but I’m slowly growing a liking to him he was superb VS Chelsea.

 

[Mcking]

You must think Wes Morgan had a better season than Maguire last year then, as he averaged both more tackles and more interceptions per game.

Strawman?

 

[Trophy Room]

Ok. But he does have a mistake in him.

Which footballer doesn’t?

 

[RedCurry]

Which footballer doesn’t?

Maybe I wasn't clear. Lindelof makes unforced errors that a CB shouldn't be making and a lot of the times it leads to a dangerous situation against us.