Fosu-Mens
Full Member
In general, I think most top teams will focus on having central defenders that are at least average in isolation versus quick attackers. So, we should hope long term that Mengi comes good and that we can get a good partner to him. Some version of VVD, just scaled down.I agree that its part of the problem. United should understand by now that most clubs are quite happy to get 1 point against us. That means that a deep defensive line/counter attack football would rarely work for us. Hence why we need to be shrewd enough not to buy players who excel in that sort of game. Maguire for example is fantastic in a deep line. He's strong, he's good in air and he's got decent positioning. Unfortunately he'll struggle in a high line because he lack pace. Same can be said about AWB. His superb defensive skills makes him the perfect anti winger/inside forward. He's perfect for the likes of Palace who need to keep a tight defence. Unfortunately he offers nothing going forward
Things are set to get worse with Telles. The Brazilian is the typical Brazilian attacking wingback. He's devastating going forward but will leave acres of space behind. Whose going to cover for that? Maguire? Lindelof? Matic?
I think we are both agreeing that the approach to football this club has is either outdated or more suited to a team with the focus of securing a safe spot.
Telles would be great if we were better at keeping possession and cycling the ball from side to side more efficiently(next manager). Still, I think he would be a big upgrade on Shaw regardless and would make it possible for us to progress the ball down the left side. We could also just have AWB sit back with our central defenders.