[Raven]

This is generally his problem now. He has never been that kind of player, at Chelsea he was great at getting the ball back and carrying it through the lines. Hes never been a quick passer. He is individually great against teams that give him space to do his thing (Tranmere today) but we dont want to play that way, and he cant do it against top teams anymore anyway.

Yeah, he's always been silky on the ball but he's far too slow to move it on quickly between the lines. It frustrates the life out of me because we could be scoring so many more.

 

[Bastian]

I think out of all our players he's been the one most vilified on here without hardly any defenders. Ole hasn't fancied him at all and now, when he's been desperately in need of bodies and has to play him, he's delivered for him. Credit to him. Declining, yes, but professional and still has things to offer.

 

[LoneStar]

Given enough rest, he can still perform well for us for the rest of the season. It's crucial he and Fred form a good partnership if we have any hope of making top 4.

 

[Master Yoda]

Yeah, he's always been silky on the ball but he's far too slow to move it on quickly between the lines. It frustrates the life out of me because we could be scoring so many more.

Yes, totaly agree. We scored alot more goals when he came off today, right? And what a worldie we scored indeed.

 

[Yagami]

Even against Tranmere it showed how much we miss his composure when he's not playing. I mean, we were still dominant, but after his substitution I felt like we had less control of the game, which is worrying because this was Tranmere.

Fred and McTominay have done well this season, but we really need to find a younger Matic.

I think out of all our players he's been the one most vilified on here without hardly any defenders. Ole hasn't fancied him at all and now, when he's been desperately in need of bodies and has to play him, he's delivered for him. Credit to him. Declining, yes, but professional and still has things to offer.

For the most part since joining, I've defended him because he brings something to the midfield that only Pogba has done since he's been here - some composure. Defensively, I've always thought he's been subpar, but on the ball I've always thought he's done well for us. It's why I used to want Herrera as our DM as he's great defensively, and Matic as a sort of roaming playmaker, but we always used Matic as a DM and Herrera as a box to box which, imo, didn't get the best out of either.

I never agreed that he was only good here for his first few months either. Bar a bad patch last season where I admittedly started to think he had lost it, I think he's been fine. I still think he definitely needs upgrading now, but, overall, I've been happy with this signing.

 

[Raven]

Yes, totaly agree. We scored alot more goals when he came off today, right? And what a worldie we scored indeed.

I wasn't talking about Tranmere, who gives a feck about Tranmere? Are we playing them every week?

 

[Master Yoda]

I wasn't talking about Tranmere, who gives a feck about Tranmere? Are we playing them every week?

Which is actualy more embarrassing and make matter worse since we played our first team. The fact stands, after we subbed Matic off, we scored only one goal in the 2nd half from a penalty.

 

[simplyared]

At present and taking into consideration the level we're at right now, he should walk into our midfield. Certainly deserves his place! Unlike his Brazilian counterpart he puts his influence on the game.

 

[Lee565]

Would other fans say matic is as good as Carrick was around the same age? I think matic is a little underrated by many fans, he's not a defensive midfielder, he's a deep lying playmaker and if protected with the right players around him in midfield I think he could still make a positive contribution to the team.

I wish Solskjear would get over the obsession with having to always play with a number 10, I would have liked to have seen mctominay and fred next to matic over the past 3 or 4 months since pogba has been sidelined, they would compliment him well with their energy to cover ground, win the ball back and allow matic to pull the strings in midfield.

 

[MadDogg]

Would other fans say matic is as good as Carrick was around the same age? I think matic is a little underrated by many fans, he's not a defensive midfielder, he's a deep lying playmaker and if protected with the right players around him in midfield I think he could still make a positive contribution to the team.

Not even close. Carrick was far better both defensively (his defensive positioning was miles better) and on the ball with his ability to control the team around and set the tempo. About the only thing Matic is better at is dribbling ability.

 

[SATA]

Is he injured? We are fecked if we are just left with Fred in there

 

[bond19821982]

Hope we extend his contract. Pogba is all set to leave and I have no confidence in Ed to deliver 2 midfielders, one right winger and a forward in the summer.

 

[edgar allan]

He is actually now our best player at the moment......God help us.

 

[pascell]

He is actually now our best player at the moment......God help us.

Which shows how far we've fallen when he was one who should've been shipped out this month, now we'll probably plead with him to stay one more season. Yet another Woodward masterstroke.

 

[R'hllor]

Gold fish mode enabled, how some are talking, you deserve that clowns give him new contract, if we were proper, he should be sold last summer.

 

[TMDaines]

Embargoed presser revealed that United are trying to agree an extension with Matic. Considering how well he has played recently, I am happy with this. Doesn’t mean we won’t still need to sign after Bruno, but Matic is still more useful than Fred at least.

 

[AlexUTD]

Embargoed presser revealed that United are trying to agree an extension with Matic. Considering how well he has played recently, I am happy with this. Doesn’t mean we won’t still need to sign after Bruno, but Matic is still more useful than Fred at least.

Have you only seen our last 2-3 games or what? Fred have been our most consistant performer in the midfield this year and you say that Matic Static is more useful!? Have a word with yourself.

 

[Kag]

Rightly so. Pogba will leave in the summer and we’re left with Matic, Fred and McTominay for deeper central midfield spots. It’s a poor group and Matic is serviceable until the club sorts it out.

 

[edgar allan]

Which shows how far we've fallen when he was one who should've been shipped out this month, now we'll probably plead with him to stay one more season. Yet another Woodward masterstroke.

We sold two midfielders and have two injured......are you seriously suggesting going into the second half 5 midfielders down?

 

[edgar allan]

Have you only seen our last 2-3 games or what? Fred have been our most consistant performer in the midfield this year and you say that Matic Static is more useful!? Have a word with yourself.

none of the above.
Fred has been consistently average this year as opposed to consistently hopeless prior to that.

 

[littleman]

Have you only seen our last 2-3 games or what? Fred have been our most consistant performer in the midfield this year and you say that Matic Static is more useful!? Have a word with yourself.

MATIC IS BETTER THAN FRED

Deal with it

 

[AlexUTD]

MATIC IS BETTER THAN FRED

Deal with it

Rather than saying "deal with it",come with some reasons other than that.

Fred atleast brings mobility and energy into the midfield and he is great at intercepting and stopping attacks.

All i feel that Matic brings to the table is experience but hard for him to help the team dominate the midfield when Glazers move faster.

 

[Berbaclass]

MATIC IS BETTER THAN FRED

Deal with it

Maybe once he was. Not anymore. Fred has been great for us this season.

 

[edgar allan]

Maybe once he was. Not anymore. Fred has been great for us this season.

Great?? Honestly??

 

[SamVimes]

No midfielder arriving in the summer so.

 

[Berbaclass]

Great?? Honestly??

No, I just posted that for a laugh obviously...

Him and McTominay we're very good together.

 

[Bebestation]

Great?? Honestly??

Great as he can be. He can't be Ronaldinho all by himself can he?

He's be our 2nd best player after Rashford - so Great is a perfectly reasonable word.

If we had 7 out of 11 players playing their a game with a good manager then we rate Fred towards the rest of the players we have and how they performed.

Can't keep rating players against other teams.

Fred's been great for us this season.

Absolutely smacks Herrera's one in a 6 performance out the park.

 

[edgar allan]

Great as he can be. He can't be Ronaldinho all by himself can he?

He's be our 2nd best player after Rashford - so Great is a perfectly reasonable word.

If we had 7 out of 11 players playing their a game with a good manager then we rate Fred towards the rest of the players we have and how they performed.

Can't keep rating players against other teams.

Fred's been great for us this season.

Absolutely smacks Herrera's one in a 6 performance out the park.

No goals, no assists this season.
If you consider someone as great based on being a bit better than Pierera in a midfield that has offered nothing since mctominey was injured then your greatness bar is set very low.
not a patch on Hererra either btw.

 

[Backrow Singer]

Grrrrr player over 30 must hate!!!!

 

[TMDaines]

Have you only seen our last 2-3 games or what? Fred have been our most consistant performer in the midfield this year and you say that Matic Static is more useful!? Have a word with yourself.

Fred's done reasonably well in games where we have less of the ball, but he's a net negative influence in any match scenario where we are the ones pressing for a goal. He's an utter liability with the ball because his decision making is so, so poor. It staggers me how much hate Pereira gets in contrast to Fred, when only one of them offers anything at all going forward.

To put this another way: Fred is so bad with the ball around the edge of the opposition area that subbing him off for literally anyone, including players with Jones and Shaw would be a positive move because at least they understand that twatting the ball from 30 yards is not a sensible move when you pass the ball and wait for a better chance to develop. It staggers me that people think Fred is having a good season. Then again our fanbase literally voted Luke Shaw as the best player at our club in 18/19.

 

[edgar allan]

No, I just posted that for a laugh obviously...

Him and McTominay we're very good together.

I would consider best of a poor bunch as more appropriate description than great.
Flatters to deceive would be how i would best describe him.

 

[R'hllor]

Yea great... he had good few months at the start and then just proper shit, couldnt bother to track his runners, moving like a Titanic, utter trash and now after he was benched, due injuries he came in, had some decent games when he wasnt under pressure + his contract running out so he is doing a Shaw = contract extension for someone who shouldnt even be here this season on the first place. Clearing deadwood my ass. Also because this place is full with Dorys, go check pages from prev seasons.

 

[Bebestation]

No goals, no assists this season.
If you consider someone as great based on being a bit better than Pierera in a midfield that has offered nothing since mctominey was injured then your greatness bar is set very low.
not a patch on Hererra either btw.

What makes you think he's a creative midfielder?

The same reason people think that Martial should be our main goal scorer just because he is the focal point playing centrally upfront?

You think Fred at City would be taking De Bryune's Role?

He literally & constantly does All the damn deep midfield job by himself for 90 minutes, the short pass, the tenacity, the defensive tackles, the pressure - he hardly gets in to the zones where we he could make an assist either. We play counter attack football without a single CAM all season. Our strikers literally create chances for themselves - Rashford, James, Martial, Greenwood because of the way we play so deep and without a central CAM who does nothing but disrupt the opposition line.

Fred's been great this season - that doesn't mean he is a great player & if he stumbles next season then he won't be great then - but he's been one our most important players this season.

If he was injured this second would you be okay with it? I wouldn't - that's because he's been great.

Fred's one of the reasons we are 5th right now - you can take that as a negative way but I take it as a positive due to the dross he has played next to and the inconsistent tactics.

 

[Backrow Singer]

I genuinely think it’s a midlife crisis thing. Bloke could score 40 goals a season and he’d still get stick because he’s not 21.

I think we’ve got enough ‘young players’ for the supporters to enjoy. A bit of experience is not a problem in the slightest. He’s proven this year that he’s capable of offering something, provided he doesn’t get flogged week in, week out.

 

[Bastian]

Yea great... he had good few months at the start and then just proper shit, couldnt bother to track his runners, moving like a Titanic, utter trash and now after he was benched, due injuries he came in, had some decent games when he wasnt under pressure + his contract running out so he is doing a Shaw = contract extension for someone who shouldnt even be here this season on the first place. Clearing deadwood my ass. Also because this place is full with Dorys, go check pages from prev seasons.

Done a Shaw? I don't think there's anything to support that. He's declining, no doubt. He's not fast, so he won't be tearing it up making a last ditch challenge. He'd been frozen out by Ole - rumours that he asked about his position in the team in summer, because he had offers elsewhere, was reassured and then fecked off - but when Ole has run all the others into the ground, he steps up for him. He is nothing like Shaw.

It's not his fault that we are saving money by extending his deal in order to not have to spend 50-60m on a replacement (which seems to be the going rate for any half decent midfielder or an OK English midfielder - Fred, Longstaff).

 

[R'hllor]

Done a Shaw? I don't think there's anything to support that. He's declining, no doubt. He's not fast, so he won't be tearing it up making a last ditch challenge. He'd been frozen out by Ole - rumours that he asked about his position in the team in summer, because he had offers elsewhere, was reassured and then fecked off - but when Ole has run all the others into the ground, he steps up for him. He is nothing like Shaw.

It's not his fault that we are saving money by extending his deal in order to not have to spend 50-60m on a replacement (which seems to be the going rate for any half decent midfielder or an OK English midfielder - Fred, Longstaff).

Never said it was.

 

[L1nk]

I'm going to say here what I said in the Transfer Tweets thread.

This forum is predictably the same everytime. 99% of it was slagging him off for the longest, saying he was old, past it and was part of the 'deadwood' that needed to go. Now all of a sudden he comes in and does decently well for a couple of games (hard to do worse than what we have to be fair) and all of a sudden it's good news he gets an extension and he can do a job etc. It's this attitude and constant flip flopping that means players like Matic, Jones etc that should have been gotten rid of at the earliest opportunity continue to remain here and get new contracts. We deserve everything we get I swear, and that's to drown in mediocrity.

Same thing happens with every player, as it happens with every manager we have, 1 shit game 'GET RID', 1 good game 'KEEP HIM'. It's the same everytime, same thing happened when Jesse Lingard scored a couple of goals that one month he decided to become a competent footballer, probably because he knew that's the only way he could get Jenna Frumes to stick around, it certainly wasn't because he was shouting about beans on Instagram, and everyone on here was calling him Messe Lingod and called him absolute quality despite the utter shite he'd been serving up for years.

As I said, attitudes like this deserve the mediocrity.

 

[Bastian]

Never said it was.

Nope, you didn't but the Shaw bit - the insinuation that he's just showing up for a new deal. He doesn't really deserve that.

 

[Irwin99]

He's played well in the last 2 or 3 games, had a good (but brief) spell with Pogba and Herrera last year and had a decent opening few months in his first season at United but I think it's fair to say he's been very patchy in his time here. I'm not exactly excited by the prospect of having him for another few years. Nothing to do with his age, just think there must be better midfielders available out there.

 

[TMDaines]

I'm going to say here what I said in the Transfer Tweets thread.

This forum is predictably the same everytime. 99% of it was slagging him off for the longest, saying he was old, past it and was part of the 'deadwood' that needed to go. Now all of a sudden he comes in and does decently well for a couple of games (hard to do worse than what we have to be fair) and all of a sudden it's good news he gets an extension and he can do a job etc. It's this attitude and constant flip flopping that means players like Matic, Jones etc that should have been gotten rid of at the earliest opportunity continue to remain here and get new contracts. We deserve everything we get I swear, and that's to drown in mediocrity.

Same thing happens with every player, as it happens with every manager we have, 1 shit game 'GET RID', 1 good game 'KEEP HIM'. It's the same everytime, same thing happened when Jesse Lingard scored a couple of goals that one month he decided to become a competent footballer, probably because he knew that's the only way he could get Jenna Frumes to stick around, it certainly wasn't because he was shouting about beans on Instagram, and everyone on here was calling him Messe Lingod and called him absolute quality despite the utter shite he'd been serving up for years.

As I said, attitudes like this deserve the mediocrity.

Problem with Matic before was that he didn't appear motivated, not his level of play. There's plenty of players at the club I'd cut before a motivated Matic: Jones (too injury prone), Shaw (attitude and ability), Lingard (maturity and ability), Pereira (ability).