pseudo_canadian
Full Member
It's pretty safe to assume that when they're all fit and available to play, van Gaal would never sit Rooney, Mata, or van Perise.
Depends on the opposition as well though.It's pretty safe to assume that when they're all fit and available to play, van Gaal would never sit Rooney, Mata, or van Perise.
me too, but i would be surprised especially after being announced captain, which indicates that LvG rates him and Mata couldnt really make himself irreplaceable in the preseason. We have Welbeck too, Di Maria would complicate things further. I would prefer Vidal, we need him more.I would rather one of Mata and Kagawa be the #10 over Rooney. Rooney is a brilliant striker.
Na, just play him as one of the front 3, absolve him of defensive responsibility and watch him torment teams.Posted this in the 3-5-2 thread but it didn't get much of an answer and I'm genuinely interested to hear what people would think of it so I'm going to try here:
Ancelotti proved last season that there's nothing wrong with an asymmetrical formation if it lets you use every player in the position where they can do their best work for the team. Here you sacrifice a wing-back in order to get Januzaj on the pitch in his best position, as a winger/wide AM/inside forward (whatever you want to call that free role from a wide starting position). His defensive work-rate is decent, but really it's down to Fletcher and Jones to provide the energy and defensive nous to cover that vacated area.
This way, you can get Januzaj into the starting line-up (and Welbeck would also be a superb fit there). You add pace and unpredictability into the attack, and also strengthen the threat from the wide areas. You add in a type of player that has been central to Van Gaal's formations since Alkmaar - an unpredictable, pacy wide attacker. He used El Hamdaoui at AZ, and Robben at Bayern and for the Netherlands. Januzaj fits that role like a glove.
Yes, it's slightly more defensively open. But it's not as if Ashley Young, the current alternative, is exactly a defensive guarantee as a wingback. Jones is already stepping up into those areas regularly, and Fletcher is the sort of experienced midfielder who can more than cope with covering a little more of the field defensively. The 3-man back line allows for exactly this sort of adjustment, because if Jones has to step out, he still leaves an intact pair of CBs to cover the central areas.
He no doubt has the ability to start for us, but it's not as simple as that with young players at times. It still remains to be seen if he can do it more consistently and in the big games.For the short spell he had last night he still proved he has the ability to start for us.. Picked the ball up in so many dangerous positions, linked the play great and he's the only player we have that has the pace and technique to beat any number of players. He's a special talent.
Kagawa? really?I would rather one of Mata and Kagawa be the #10 over Rooney. Rooney is a brilliant striker.
I prefer them because they have more of a consistent touch and they link the midfield and attack better. Rooney does offer more goals and assists though. No arguing that.Kagawa? really?
Rooney offers so much more than him as a number 10, including buckets of assists and goals for a start.
But my way we don't have to bench one of Mata, RVP or Rooney. We can play all of them and Januzaj.Na, just play him as one of the front 3, absolve him of defensive responsibility and watch him torment teams.
Mata does, I agree. However Kagawa isn't a better option than Rooney there if his United career so far is anything to go by.I prefer them because they have more of a consistent touch and they link the midfield and attack better. Rooney does offer more goals and assists though. No arguing that.
Kagawa has rarely played in the 10 spot with United. He's mostly been played on the wing. I also think he would do much better under LVG.Mata does, I agree. However Kagawa isn't a better option than Rooney there if his United career so far is anything to go by.
I disagree purely based on evidence. Plus, surely Kagawa would have gotten more opportunities there if he's as good as some people think he is in his natural position? Rooney assists and scores goals there, Kagawa has been shockingly unproductive since his arrival. Mata already has more goals and assists.Kagawa has rarely played in the 10 spot with United. He's mostly been played on the wing. I also think he would do much better under LVG.
All 3 don't have to play. He offers a mix of attributes that none of the others posess. Were a better team when he's in the side.But my way we don't have to bench one of Mata, RVP or Rooney. We can play all of them and Januzaj.
If anything, it would beMakes sense doesn't it? Maybe not this season, but in a season's time.
CM Mata CM
Januzaj Rooney Di Maria
That's just
This plus I don't know why we always isolate our wingers because you need someone, preferably Mata, moving laterally to offer support. To overload the wings and help draw out defenders.He is a bit selfish, he tries too much these Robben type shots from the right wing.
In the first half he was isolated, leaving him no choice, but to go past players (which he did) due to Chicha always making the run to the far post. I think Rooney did the same, but I can't say for sure. They need to offer him more help.This plus I don't know why we always isolate our wingers because you need someone, preferably Mata, moving laterally to offer support. To overload the wings and help draw out defenders.