That makes me less confident.
Rafael, Shaw, Di Maria, Smalling.
Blind, Di Maria, Shaw and Smalling
You can add Rojo to that list now.
Seems like leaving him out today was more precautionary than anything from LVG's comments on the website.
Source: http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2014/Dec/louis-van-gaal-not-wanting-to-risk-marcos-rojo-against-liverpool.aspx
This.
Damn. Forgot he existed.
They haven't raised their game against us for a long time.
He didn't.
Just checked, you're right. Remembered seeing a pic in the paper of him taking on Rafael or someone, must have been in his first spell. Was sure it was this seasons kit, but obviously not.
They've only sold 26,000 apparently. I'm considering getting a ticket in the home end.
way too offensive both formations. Fellaini will play for Herrera in both formations and that would still be a very offensive formation for an away game. Fellaini brings balance, even if he isnt a world beater.
Where does this idea come from? Herrera is at least as effective defensively as Fellaini in every area except aerial set-pieces. Fellaini won the ball back four times yesterday, yes, but he also gave it away needlessly seven times, and also conceded far too many unnecessary free-kicks in dangerous areas. He's a defensive liability as much as he is an asset.
Fellaini isnt a CDM, but he played today there. Herrera will never play there. He has no presence. I dont say he isnt good defensively, but he isnt disciplined enough. Look at the formations, it is just way too offensive. For an away game Herrera, Di Maria and Mata in midfield without someone behind them is suicidal. We never played like that and never will, absolutely no balance in there. Fellaini did a job defensively today that no other player could do at the moment for us. He is a starter at the moment.
So if we lose it's your fault.
But Fellaini's 'presence' is next to useless when he's defending, because he just doesn't know how to do the job properly. He always manages to get himself behind the player with the ball rather than between them and the goal, so that before he's even had a chance to make the tackle he's chasing the player. Then his lack of pace means he can't catch them enough to make a tackle, so he ends up pulling or hacking them down and concedes a free-kick.
Yes it happens often with Fellaini, but it isnt his ideal role. Herrera would look out of depth too in front of the back 3. I thought Fellainis defending in the 2nd half was good, he had a lot of interceptions. He isnt a CDM, but Herrera isnt too and someone has more or less to play there. Herrera's passing is better, but he doesnt play for a reason. He could have played today but hasnt, so i suspect that he is replaceable in our team. Fellaini played the last 5 games, seems van Gaal needs him at the moment mroe than Herrera. I would like to see them both, but cant see Herrera starting with Mata on form and especially if Di maria gets fit.
To be clear, neither of them is playing 'in front of the back 3', as a holding midfielder or shield. Fellaini's role has been box-to-box, which is what Herrera tends to do when he's in midfield too. But for me Herrera contributes more offensively and defensively. Fellaini only really adds strength in the air.
He's also a bit of a bully, which can be useful. Herrera is a much tidyer type.
yes, but occasionally they will drop deep, Herrera played at times even further than Mata on the pitch. Herrera is all over the place, Fellaini isnt that much. I just think that Herrera wont play in the 3-5-2 formation as a CM if the other CM isnt Fellaini,Carrick or Blind i.e. a more defensive minded midfielder. While you may disagree that Fellaini is one, LvG thinks different. Herrera is fit and doesnt start, he is too similar to Mata and Di Maria. Fellaini is tall, has a presence (even if you think it is useless), brings balance and something different compared to the other players. We have problems defensively, with Herrera it would get worse in that formation with these players.
I would save Di Maria for Spurs.
Radamel Falcao
Michael Carrick
David de Gea
Wayne Rooney
Phil Jones
James Wilson
Antonio Valencia
Lee Mason
replaced by James Wilson
replaced by Tyler Blackett
replaced by Angel Di Maria
