He was a complete and total flop. He was dropped after playing in a midfield 3 before injury problems. He made a "comeback" as a fullback and side midfielder for a few games, while battling his injuries.
He scored a nice freekick or two
7
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- Appearances
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He scored a nice freekick or two
You cant possibly know that. And if he was available now he'd be on the bench
In 2007/08? I thought he was very good. Was gutted when all the injuries wrecked him.
Big game for Sanchez tomorrow night. Hopefully he starts and can have a good game.
He was bought as an expensive CM (at the time) to improve on Carrick & Scholes. He played CM at the start of the season, we went to 3 in midfield. He was dropped after that initial run of games in a midfield 3. I dont remember if we changed tactics back to 2 CMs, that may or may not have been the case. But he wasnt starting in CM anymore, we were back to Scholes and Carrick. Carrick played 31 times, Scholes 24 times including an injury from October till Jan.
Hargreaves played RB and in wide midfield for several games. Which position was he first choice? He played 23 games with a bunch of them starting in CM at the start. I dont have the stats, maybe someone can find them somewhere. But probably a good 7-8 games in that midfield 3 at the start of the season. So he had maybe 15 games between RB, LM and RM right? So which one was he first choice?
Wes Brown played 36 games that season so he was first choice RB. Giggs played 31 times, Ronaldo 34 and Nani 26. Was Giggs playing CM at that point? I honestly dont remember. But even if we look at just Nani and Ronaldo they played more games in wide positions than Hargreaves that season.
So if he wasnt first choice CM, RB or in a wide midfield role where was he first choice that season?
He had a run of games where he filled in and did a job. He scored a nice freekick against Arsenal. He did not however cement a place as a CM like we bought him for
In what position?
I haven't.
We haven't seen him play in the new system and under Ole. It doesn't really matter if he reaches the heights he did at Arsenal. But I am excited and hopeful for him to do well.
Looking forward to it, much more than I am looking forward for Lukaku to fit in the new system
It’s been 11 years but I remember being pretty happy with him wherever he played, though I especially liked him on the right.
I think the problem with Sanchez was that he was signed to be an instant hit and he hasn't done that at all. I disagree when you say it doesn't matter if he fails tor each his Arsenal form. This is because he is the highest paid player at the club and therefore should be one of our best players.
Okay here we go, found something :
So 10 starts in the league, all in CM and DM positions
5 starts in the Champion League split between mostly the right side
So he was first choice nowhere.
He filled in some gaps after having an initial run in a 3 man midfield. I'm not saying he didnt contribute to us winning the double, but for a player we chased for over a year to be an upgrade in CM he wasnt that at all. And of course I remember all the hype about him on here and elsewhere, as being England's best player and being better than Carrick thats why we should buy him.
We tried him there in CM, he was outperformed by Scholes and Carrick, and imo Fletcher although Fletch started only 3 games in CM in the league and 5 in the champions league, which is actually overall less than Hargreaves that season.
He was a squad player that season who came in for a couple of games in different positions, but not the one we bought him to play
So 10 starts in the league, all in CM and DM positions
5 starts in the Champion League split between mostly the right side
So he was first choice nowhere.
He filled in some gaps after having an initial run in a 3 man midfield. I'm not saying he didnt contribute to us winning the double, but for a player we chased for over a year to be an upgrade in CM he wasnt that at all. And of course I remember all the hype about him on here and elsewhere, as being England's best player and being better than Carrick thats why we should buy him.
We tried him there in CM, he was outperformed by Scholes and Carrick, and imo Fletcher although Fletch started only 3 games in CM in the league and 5 in the champions league, which is actually overall less than Hargreaves that season.
He was a squad player that season who came in for a couple of games in different positions, but not the one we bought him to play
I would definitely want him to reach his Arsenal form, but with his age and now recurring injuries, I feel it might be unlikely. I am just trying to convince myself, I guess
In terms of wages, yes, he should be up there with the best in the team. I agree.
Yes I have. When was his last really good game?. He was poor for Arsenal as well in his final 6 months. Ok we might get the occasional touch of class from him. But on those wages he should be delivering top top class performances week in week out. He looks no where near capable of doing that. However willing to cut him slack and see if under Ole he can get some form back but will only be patient until the summer.
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Me neither. I genuinely still have faith that he will become a beast for us. We'll it's more of a hope at this stage but still!
He has been cursed with injury this season though.
When he's match fit, I feel he'll flourish under Ole's fast, attacking, high energy way of playing. Could do a job on the right.
Put Sanchez in Mata role.
Problem solved.
Problem solved.
If Ole can get Sanchez playing anything like the Arsenal player, could make a big difference to our season....
As for Sanchez I think it would be strange if he didnt improve under Ole like our other attackers. I think he can do better than Lingard and Mata and one of his better seasons at Arsenal he played 9 or 10 league games on the right and go into the box from there. I think with some more confidence to take some shots himself, instead of usually just looking to play teammates in and he can look the same player he was at Arsenal.
hargreaves and Ando were brilliant when they played together in midfield. He was played on the right for tactical reasons and came into the middle when Scholes was tired. He was a brilliant midfield player who was one of the quickest and had a good footballing brain too. Injuries destroyed him. The only thing he could not do was pass. His passing was poor for someone who played for Bayern.
I do agree with the majority of what you say, but he did do well enough on the right and was important enough to our CL campaign that it's a bit harsh to call him a complete and total flop.
It was a combination that was very good at destroying the opposition's control and ability to play through their midfield, but it also left us with not much control or playmaking coming from our midfield. That turned the matches more into a battle of individuals, which worked for us because we had Ronaldo/Rooney/Tevez in front of them and the worlds best defence behind them, but I wouldn't really say that they were a brilliant midfield pairing.
Arsenal 1:3 Man Utd
Would of been my MOTM had it not been for Pogba's boss like performance in the second half. That goal was one of the sweetest we've scored this season
Great goal that. Hopefully he can now redeem his United career and kick on from here.
No, he wasn't a flop. He was excellent in that 2008/2009 season.
Go read. He was a fill in
Give that man a pay raise!
Good game for him, hopefully more to come.
Needs to play in central areas.
Don’t think he can match top full backs physically.
Don’t think he can match top full backs physically.
Was clearly unfit, but was a good performance. His touch was a lot better than we've seen from him since coming here, his link-up play was good and the goal was top class. Onwards and upwards from here hopefully.
I am surprised people thought it was a good performance. I didn't see anything in there that convinced me we should keep him.
He played ok. Scored a good goal. But to say he was close to being man of match is going over board.
P.s never saw him beat a man today. Pace and confidence is long gone.
Good finish on the goal but he hasn't got the pace or legs to be playing wide now, he really didn't cause Maitland-Niles any trouble.
Showed his clever movement for the goal today. When Lukaku received the ball he anticipated the Arsenal backline to push up and punished them with a timed run in. Good composure for the finish too.
It the kind of run and finish you wouldn't expect Martial to make. He will present a healthy problem to the team once he gets himself back inform.
It the kind of run and finish you wouldn't expect Martial to make. He will present a healthy problem to the team once he gets himself back inform.
Agreed but dudes are in euphoria right now, that's football.
You have bad memory
Very well taken goal. Sanchez just comes alive when he's around the edge of the box. I hope he stays away from the wing.
Great finish for his goal, his overall performance wasn't too special, but hopefully the goal was enough to build his confidence and he can kick on from here.
Excellent goal. Sanchez should play as near the opponent's goal as possible imo.
Not a LW anymore. A CF, CAM or a false nine. If he wants he can be a more traditional RW until we get one.
Well taken goal but he was poor, we should make moving him on in the summer a big priority.
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