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Manchester United 3:1 Leicester City

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    TheReligion

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    Anyone like the look of this?

    Rooney as the main target man again and pretty much a free flowing attacking three in behind him. Both Blind and Carrick give the back four the protection and ball retention in the middle of the park.

     

    NoPace

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    @TheReligion,

    A lot of people have been calling for that sort of thing. I think it makes sense. It should be solid, and if we struggle to break them down at halftime you can just replace one of Blind or Carrick with RVP or Falcao and have Mata play on the right and Herrera as one of the 2 holders, but giving you more energy and creativity from there.
     

    TheReligion

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    @TheReligion,

    A lot of people have been calling for that sort of thing. I think it makes sense. It should be solid, and if we struggle to break them down at halftime you can just replace one of Blind or Carrick with RVP or Falcao and have Mata play on the right and Herrera as one of the 2 holders, but giving you more energy and creativity from there.
    I like that set up as it offers so many variations in each area depending on how the game is going.

    With Falcao, van Persie, Fellaini, Januzaj able to slot in in any of the front positions (with a little movement of Rooney if required) and Herrera able to move deeper for one of Blind/Carrick if you wish to go gung-ho.

    I think it gives us much needed balance and pace with everyone playing (in my opinion) in their best position. What do you think?
     

    ivaldo

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    Anyone like the look of this?

    Rooney as the main target man again and pretty much a free flowing attacking three in behind him. Both Blind and Carrick give the back four the protection and ball retention in the middle of the park.

    Home to Leicester and we are struggling to score, really can't see the point with 2 defensive midfielders in the side. Put Carrick in back 4 instead of Jones, di maria in midfield, Rooney where DM was and Falcao up top and blitz em!
     

    Hostekule

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    Home to Leicester and we are struggling to score, really can't see the point with 2 defensive midfielders in the side. Put Carrick in back 4 instead of Jones, di maria in midfield, Rooney where DM was and Falcao up top and blitz em!
    They aren't traditional defensive midfielders though (Tiote). Both are good on the ball. I think at least one of them staying back while either Shaw or Rafael come forward can work in that formation.
     

    strandty

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    De Gea

    Shaw
    Rojo
    Jones
    Rafael

    Carrick

    Herrera
    Blind

    Di Maria

    Rooney
    Falcao
     

    NotoriousISSY

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    Anyone like the look of this?

    Rooney as the main target man again and pretty much a free flowing attacking three in behind him. Both Blind and Carrick give the back four the protection and ball retention in the middle of the park.

    Desperate to see something like this. Not particularly bothered who plays up front, all three of them have been fairly below par for weeks now (although Rooney was obviously out of position).

    No need to have Di Maria or Herrera hugging the touchlines to play with this set up. The two-forwards thing isn't going too well, Mata scores his fair share and would benefit from a bit less congestion up there.

    Wouldn't mind either of Carrick or Blind dropped with Herrera trying to play deeper (although we haven't really seen that yet) with Januzaj given another start. Thought it was very promising on Friday and looked quite dangerous.
     

    SalfordRed1960

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    Desperate to see something like this. Not particularly bothered who plays up front, all three of them have been fairly below par for weeks now (although Rooney was obviously out of position).

    No need to have Di Maria or Herrera hugging the touchlines to play with this set up. The two-forwards thing isn't going too well, Mata scores his fair share and would benefit from a bit less congestion up there.

    Wouldn't mind either of Carrick or Blind dropped with Herrera trying to play deeper (although we haven't really seen that yet) with Januzaj given another start. Thought it was very promising on Friday and looked quite dangerous.
    Probably his best performance this season. Needs to step up now to keep his position, by not slowing play down, not doing too much and trying to be the hero and learn to read the game. Bags of potential, but he has to play for the team without losing his creativity.
     

    ivaldo

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    They aren't traditional defensive midfielders though (Tiote). Both are good on the ball. I think at least one of them staying back while either Shaw or Rafael come forward can work in that formation.
    They may not be destroyers but they are still defensive midfielders and they aren't going to create chances or find the back of the net, that's what we need.
     

    Hostekule

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    They may not be destroyers but they are still defensive midfielders and they aren't going to create chances or find the back of the net, that's what we need.
    No, we need players capable of maintaining possession and creating chances. Both of them offer just that.
     

    ivaldo

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    No, we need players capable of maintaining possession and creating chances. Both of them offer just that.
    We dominate possession in pretty much every game with one DM so why should require 2 against Leicester, at home? We need real creativity and goal scoring ability, something they don't exactly specialise in.
     

    Hostekule

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    We dominate possession in pretty much every game with one DM so why should require 2 against Leicester, at home? We need real creativity and goal scoring ability, something they don't exactly specialise in.
    Just because we have a lot of possession (mainly in defense) it doesn't mean we are good at keeping the ball. In recent games the opponent has wanted us to have the ball, and let us have the ball, as they know we are not able to create anything if they sit deep. Our defenders have been forced to take on too much responsibilities on the ball. One way to fix that is to have more players available to link the defense and midfield. You don't think Di Maria, Mata, Herrera and Rooney are capable of creating chances? It's not as if both Blind and Carrick must sit deep at all times. Also Shaw and/or Rafa can offer penetration on the flanks. No point in having two strikers if it limits our chances of getting the ball in or around the box.
     

    Sied

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    Except in his first game, he played CM in the 3-5-2 vs Burnley, and he played very well.
    On top of that, I'm not sure there are actually 2 better player suited to the no10 (or attacking mid) role tbh.
    Did he? I have no recollection of that to be honest, but then I do have the memory of a gold fish. Regardless, LVG won't play him there no doubt. Clearly doesn't put much faith in him to offer enough defensively in such a deep role.

    Definitely think Mata and Rooney are better than him in the 10 role though. He hardly impressed against Cambridge.
     

    Evil Fellaini

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    4-3-3 please.

    -------------- DDG ----------
    Valencia - Jones - Rojo - Shaw
    ------------ Carrick ---------
    ------- Herrera - Rooney -----
    --- Mata - Falcao - Di Maria --
     

    ivaldo

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    Just because we have a lot of possession (mainly in defense) it doesn't mean we are good at keeping the ball. In recent games the opponent has wanted us to have the ball, and let us have the ball, as they know we are not able to create anything if they sit deep. Our defenders have been forced to take on too much responsibilities on the ball. One way to fix that is to have more players available to link the defense and midfield. You don't think Di Maria, Mata, Herrera and Rooney are capable of creating chances? It's not as if both Blind and Carrick must sit deep at all times. Also Shaw and/or Rafa can offer penetration on the flanks. No point in having two strikers if it limits our chances of getting the ball in or around the box.
    That literally makes no sense. We are fantastic at keeping the ball, we just aren't very productive with it, we need creativity and having one more economic player and one less creative player seems a little counter productive doesn't it? Having a ball playing Centre back (Carrick or Blind) in a game where we will dominate the ball makes far more sense, we don't need to worry about Leicester leaving the ball with our centrebacks because we will have a ball player there.

    For me our biggest problem is we don't move the ball on quick enough, against Cambridge I counted, on a few occasions, player's holding onto the ball for 8+ seconds, that's the real problem. We aren't stretching teams and its too easy to defend against us.
     

    Antisocial

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    Anyone like the look of this?

    Rooney as the main target man again and pretty much a free flowing attacking three in behind him. Both Blind and Carrick give the back four the protection and ball retention in the middle of the park.

    I'd be interested in testing something like this - particularly if we could get more out of our attackers by playing fewer of them rather than forcing the team around players picked on reputation compared to their recent performances. I agree with Carrick and Blind offering more than just stability, and potentially giving more freedom to the fullbacks to push on - if it works then it could solve a lot of issues.

    We'll never see it though.
     

    Hostekule

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    That literally makes no sense. We are fantastic at keeping the ball, we just aren't very productive with it, we need creativity and having one more economic player and one less creative player seems a little counter productive doesn't it? Having a ball playing Centre back (Carrick or Blind) in a game where we will dominate the ball makes far more sense, we don't need to worry about Leicester leaving the ball with our centrebacks because we will have a ball player there.
    I agree it was poorly phrased. My point was that we tend to lose possession quite often either from a defender's mistake or a completely unnecessary sloppy pass. We aren't fantastic at keeping the ball, especially not considering the tempo of our play. We struggle when we play a team that press us collectively. I think you are underrating both Carrick and Blind by calling them economic players. It's good to have players that can recycle the ball and dictate the tempo of the game. They are not an ideal pairing long term, but it could be worth a try. If we play with a back four I don't want either of them playing in defense as they aren't natural defenders and lack pace. Even going by your terminology you really think we need 5 creative players on the pitch to create chances?

    We seem to share the same concern that the tempo in our play is the biggest issue. If you want high tempo you need players with high passing accuracy as well as players constantly moving off the ball. If LvG is willing to take some risks we could start Blind-Herrera in central midfield with 4 players in front of them. Potentially they could play in a midfield-three with Di Maria on the left, but I think LvG considers Herrera and Di Maria too sloppy on the ball to both be played centrally.
     
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    WyoManU

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    these sorts of games are must wins now. Draw or loss and the noose tightens...
     

    WR10

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    DDG
    Rafa Jones Rojo Shaw
    Herrara Blind
    Januzaj Mata DiMaria
    Rooney/RVP
    FFS lets play proper united football and smash these fecks
     

    Deleted member 78215

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    Anyone like the look of this?

    Rooney as the main target man again and pretty much a free flowing attacking three in behind him. Both Blind and Carrick give the back four the protection and ball retention in the middle of the park.

    Been hoping for that set-up, more and less, since September 1st. Don't think we're likely to see it, unfortunately, certainly not while we have Rooney, Falcao and RVP. Shame, I think it'd do wonders.
     

    AttackingFlair

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    Van Gaal will probably play this line up unfortunately

    ------RVP---Di Maria----
    ---------Mata-------
    ----Rooney--Fellaini-
    Blind--Rojo--Carrick-Jones--Valencia
    -------De Gea-------
     

    LeftyBlaster

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    Prediction: We'll dick around with the ball as we always do, creating next to nothing, lumping balls from defence to the front line with nobody bothering to play in midfield and work the ball while we watch Valencia knock it back / smash defenders' shins. Concede to a header (Ulloa?) or a set piece and then bomb their box with long balls in an effort to equalise.

    Now prove me wrong please.
     

    Sunny Jim

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    Prediction: We'll dick around with the ball as we always do, creating next to nothing, lumping balls from defence to the front line with nobody bothering to play in midfield and work the ball while we watch Valencia knock it back / smash defenders' shins. Concede to a header (Ulloa?) or a set piece and then bomb their box with long balls in an effort to equalise.

    Now prove me wrong please.

    No need for white text mate
     

    Loublaze

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    Prediction: We'll dick around with the ball as we always do, creating next to nothing, lumping balls from defence to the front line with nobody bothering to play in midfield and work the ball while we watch Valencia knock it back / smash defenders' shins. Concede to a header (Ulloa?) or a set piece and then bomb their box with long balls in an effort to equalise.

    Now prove me wrong please.
    Long balls to Fellaini
     

    theyneverlearn

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    de Gea
    Rafael = Smalling = Rojo = Shaw
    Blind = Carrick
    Herrera Mata di Maria
    Rooney
    _____________________________
    Would be my line up.

    Rafael and Shaw giving the width.
    Blind and Carrick protecting the defence.
    Herrera, Mata and di Maria to me are 3 players who each other something different to the next, but are all equally important to the above formation.
    Rooney in his best position.

    1-1 draw.
     

    Cassidy

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    Did he? I have no recollection of that to be honest, but then I do have the memory of a gold fish. Regardless, LVG won't play him there no doubt. Clearly doesn't put much faith in him to offer enough defensively in such a deep role.

    Definitely think Mata and Rooney are better than him in the 10 role though. He hardly impressed against Cambridge.
    Who did? However he created our best chance, and almost scored too.
     

    caisenma

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    Probably his best performance this season. Needs to step up now to keep his position, by not slowing play down, not doing too much and trying to be the hero and learn to read the game. Bags of potential, but he has to play for the team without losing his creativity.
    I agree with this, but it doesn't seem to be a problem limited to Adnan. All of our play is just so awfully slow, you can tell they have been drilled to not lose possession, and that's coming at the expense of more adventurous passing as far as I'm concerned.
     

    Rezyuz

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    That literally makes no sense. We are fantastic at keeping the ball, we just aren't very productive with it, we need creativity and having one more economic player and one less creative player seems a little counter productive doesn't it? Having a ball playing Centre back (Carrick or Blind) in a game where we will dominate the ball makes far more sense, we don't need to worry about Leicester leaving the ball with our centrebacks because we will have a ball player there.

    For me our biggest problem is we don't move the ball on quick enough, against Cambridge I counted, on a few occasions, player's holding onto the ball for 8+ seconds, that's the real problem. We aren't stretching teams and its too easy to defend against us.
    We are not fantastic in keeping the ball. Because every single time the ball gets to Jones or Evans, they think that they are Paul Scholes and just hoof it forward OR give a nightmare pass right in the feet of the opponent.

    Possession play will only be successful if all are capable of playing it and all obey to the system.
     

    Cassidy

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    That literally makes no sense. We are fantastic at keeping the ball, we just aren't very productive with it, we need creativity and having one more economic player and one less creative player seems a little counter productive doesn't it? Having a ball playing Centre back (Carrick or Blind) in a game where we will dominate the ball makes far more sense, we don't need to worry about Leicester leaving the ball with our centrebacks because we will have a ball player there.

    For me our biggest problem is we don't move the ball on quick enough, against Cambridge I counted, on a few occasions, player's holding onto the ball for 8+ seconds, that's the real problem. We aren't stretching teams and its too easy to defend against us.
    We're not fantastic at keeping the ball, we're good at making simple passes, but as soon as anyone comes under pressure we tend to give the ball away.
    Either one of the midfielders are disposessed or just pass the ball to the opposition (Fellaini and Rooney have been doing that a lot lately and have both cost us goals)
    Or we pass around the midfield, get pressed then the ball goes back to the defenders, they pass the ball between each other and then either decide to play a long ball (posession lost) or pass back to De Gea who hits a long ball forward (posession lost mainly except when he has time to pick out a pass)

    We have a lot of the ball when teams sit off us, as soon as we get pressed we tend to give up posession. Thats not a team who is fantastic in posession.
     

    ivaldo

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    We are not fantastic in keeping the ball. Because every single time the ball gets to Jones or Evans, they think that they are Paul Scholes and just hoof it forward OR give a nightmare pass right in the feet of the opponent.

    Possession play will only be successful if all are capable of playing it and all obey to the system.
    We're not fantastic at keeping the ball, we're good at making simple passes, but as soon as anyone comes under pressure we tend to give the ball away.
    Either one of the midfielders are disposessed or just pass the ball to the opposition (Fellaini and Rooney have been doing that a lot lately and have both cost us goals)
    Or we pass around the midfield, get pressed then the ball goes back to the defenders, they pass the ball between each other and then either decide to play a long ball (posession lost) or pass back to De Gea who hits a long ball forward (posession lost mainly except when he has time to pick out a pass)

    We have a lot of the ball when teams sit off us, as soon as we get pressed we tend to give up posession. Thats not a team who is fantastic in posession.
    We have made the least mistakes leading to goals in the league and only City have completed more passes and had more possession. Again, keeping the ball isn't the problem, its doing something

    Take the Southampton game, they tried pressing us but couldn't get the ball and then reverted to counter attacking.they scored from their only shot on target.
     
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Post-match discussion

Player Ratings

6.3 Total Average Rating

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Lowest Rated Player

Compiled from 492 ratings.

Score Predictions

523,39,42
  • Man Utd win
  • Leicester win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 20% Man Utd 3:0 Leicester
  • 19% Man Utd 2:0 Leicester
  • 11% Man Utd 3:1 Leicester
  • 9% Man Utd 2:1 Leicester
  • 8% Man Utd 5:0 Leicester
  • 7% Man Utd 1:0 Leicester
  • 7% Man Utd 4:0 Leicester
  • 3% Man Utd 0:0 Leicester
  • 3% Man Utd 4:1 Leicester
  • 2% Man Utd 1:1 Leicester
  • 2% Man Utd 5:3 Leicester
  • 1% Man Utd 1:2 Leicester
  • 1% Man Utd 0:5 Leicester
  • 1% Man Utd 3:5 Leicester
  • 1% Man Utd 0:1 Leicester
  • 1% Man Utd 0:2 Leicester
  • 1% Man Utd 2:2 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 4:2 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 3:2 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 5:1 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 2:4 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 5:5 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 1:3 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 4:5 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 1:5 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 0:3 Leicester
  • 0% Man Utd 5:2 Leicester
Compiled from 604 predictions.
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Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. Leicester
Possession
71% 29%
Shots
12 4
Shots on Target
5 1
Corners
4 3
Fouls
8 12

Referee

Martin Atkinson