Yea but Janazaj could not find the space even against Brugges last night, he was awful even against them. Which does ask the problem, why keep with a player who does not know the no10 role? at bilbao that was herrera's best position. So while they were awful, so was janazaj in the position he's been asked to play. When herrera was changed, he already improved us. let us not forget how he played city off the park last season, when we look at their record against us since 2011
21
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 41
- Goals
- 5
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 9
- Status
When paired with Fellaini who was double/triple marked.
Herrera is smart enough to find space against any side and has the ability to beat a man as we've seen plenty of times and none more so joyfully than we he took on the whole of Arsenal's much revered midfield. He had a stop-start season last year yet was arguably our best outfield player imo so I think he more than deserves to be given a good run of games and a proper chance to prove himself in that role. His vision and craft are his best attributes and far superior to Januzaj's, I honestly believe Januzaj should be given a chance in Mata's position as he is more likely to attempt a take-on and cross rather than cut back inside and pass it sideways or backwards which Mata always seem to do.
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Januzaj hogs the ball too much to be effective in the PL until he finds that balance (knowing exactly when to release the ball, when to drop deep etc) he will always be inconsistent. Herrera, on the other hand, knows the role and has played it for Bilbao against the likes of Barca. His dribbling is of a high standard, can score and playing him closer to goal brings his through balls into play plus he can press which would aid us defensively whilst also allowing us to win balls high up the pitch which is always a sure way to create goal scoring opportunities.
Not to quote Dante's post, he'll have enough alerts as it is. Strange post, his best position at Bilbao was at nr. 10. He can play that position very good and better than Adnan who got his chance but hasnt proved his worth there.
At nr. 10 beating the man is not the only thing which is important, at that position you need to get the play going and pick passes for forwards at the right time. With Mata on the right Herrera could do his job perfectly. And with Memphis on the left and Rooney playing like he played yesterday.
Also don't understand why is his best hope we buy another box to box mid.
At nr. 10 beating the man is not the only thing which is important, at that position you need to get the play going and pick passes for forwards at the right time. With Mata on the right Herrera could do his job perfectly. And with Memphis on the left and Rooney playing like he played yesterday.
Also don't understand why is his best hope we buy another box to box mid.
Wow some of you guys have to read this article, it's nothing new but the comments he makes are exactly why we fecking love him at Utd.
Two bits to highlight for me
Herrera like Schneiderlin, Blind, Bastian, Mata, Depay, Fellani and even Valencia will always offer the pass when others have the ball ALL the time even when they are both under pressure i.e at times when it really matters.
There's a difference for me when compared to others like Carrick, Rooney and Young, as the option is at a far less frequency and they offer much less ability to actually diffuse the situation/press.
That's the subtle but important part between a hoof/clearance/rushed pass to a potentially crucial transition. When you escape a moment of press, you have the player/s pressing on their back foot, whilst you've moved forward/into space on your front foot. This is basically half a yard gained and the whole team can advance. That's more space for a through ball, for a drive etc; it opens up opportunities even in tight games against deep defences.
That's the textual analysis of it because we all realise and can see it when we're watching games but you don't actually think why/how.
Herrera's close control, technique, mobility, tenacity and athleticim is why he's a brilliant player for us to build upon on.
This next bit is self explanatory really because we all know, he actually means it and is not media talk.
No shit, that's what he played at Athletic.Tweet
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what the feck is a theoretical scheme 
. Everyone and his dog knows herrera is a boss in the free role. Van Gaal acting like he figured this out of thin air
. Everyone and his dog knows herrera is a boss in the free role. Van Gaal acting like he figured this out of thin air Hopefully he gets his chance Sunday now that Januzaj is out.
A Carrick/Schweinsteiger - Schneiderlin - Herrera midfield would give any team problems.
A Carrick/Schweinsteiger - Schneiderlin - Herrera midfield would give any team problems.
Luckily LVG finally got his senses and realized what all the managers behind their screens already now.
So what do we reckon, is he starting today?
I've put him in my lineup prediction.
I've put him in my lineup prediction.
With Januzaj injured and Fellaini lacking match rhythm I think we will finally see him starting in the n10 role.So what do we reckon, is he starting today?
I've put him in my lineup prediction.
Swansea 2:1 Man Utd
He hasn't dazzled exactly but he did create decent chances for Mata and Rooney.
Starved of the ball. Our players refuse to play the risky pass that could release him or allow him to create in dangerous areas.
He barely touched the ball but he did set up two pretty much clear goalscoring chances.
We've not managed to work any clear chances after Herrera went off. He barely touched the ball and still managed to open them up three or four times.
Van Gaal's response? Sub him.
Van Gaal's response? Sub him.
If he gets the ball, he'll do something imaginative and creative with it. One of our best players today even though he was starved of possession.
Was looking the most creative of the front four, of course he gets subbed.
Really annoyed by the constant two deep CMs we are playing now, even when we are trailing. Take some risk ffs.
Really annoyed by the constant two deep CMs we are playing now, even when we are trailing. Take some risk ffs.
Opens up opposing team. Gets subbed because manager gives up on playing football.
Anonymous
Yep. Just was our most creative player.
He created our 3 best chances, the movement around him is mediocre at best.
Absolutely bizarre. Set up Mata in the first two minutes with a great chance, set up Rooney one-on-one at 0-0, put Mata through on goal at 1-0...he played well.
Did well I thought. Pressed well, and created chances. Would have had a few assists if Rooney didn't mess up his chances
At Least two posts saying 'starved of the ball'. Why was he starved of the ball?
Herrera is not the problem, it is the tactic and team itself. Depay and Januzaj played shite too there, without seeing any balls. Same with Herrera, although he did look quite better than them.
When will he have the courage to haul Rooney off, Bastian, who looked terrible the whole game and Depay who looks like he is going to struggle playing two games in a week. He got the subs completely wrong. Hoofing the ball to Fellaini, is that admitting that is all he is good for?
This.
As soon as Herrera went off I knew we'd lost. The midfield, predictably, ceased to do anything. We just went out right and pumped in crosses to Swansea defenders' foreheads.
I forgot he was on to be honest. Though to be fair he and Rooney were barely passed to so i suppose it's not a surprise.
As soon as I knew he was coming off, we'd create nothing more.
He wasn't the answer we were hoping for, similar performance to the ones Januzaj had when he started played some nice passes but mostly he was very anonymous.
To be fair we didn't create too much when he was on either.
Once Fellanini came on everything started getting pumped up to him, it can be effective but i don't like it personally.
Felt he didn't impose himself on the game as well as he generally does - touch and move, raising our temp etc, but tbf the whole team (except Shaw you could say) didn't look great. He did create a few excellent chances though.
Herrera had a good game and did a better job off Rooney then anyone else this season for us.
The problem in attack was around him. I just don't see an obvious plan and it feels very rigid. We need much more movement, especially as he showed he'll find the passes.
We were let down for that second goal tbf which really changed the game. Romero should have saved it easily and at 1-1 the game could have finished very differently.
We've got issues in the team but Herrera isn't one of them imo.
The problem in attack was around him. I just don't see an obvious plan and it feels very rigid. We need much more movement, especially as he showed he'll find the passes.
We were let down for that second goal tbf which really changed the game. Romero should have saved it easily and at 1-1 the game could have finished very differently.
We've got issues in the team but Herrera isn't one of them imo.
I don't see anyone excelling in that role with our current setup. I love Mata, but having him on the left without a fullback like Dani Alves bombing forward providing width is hamstringing our attack. With only one position providing significant threat in behind the defense and little width our #10 will always end up strangled in possession. Ander is good in tight spaces and Adnan is a good dribbler, but no one is good enough to consistently perform with those limitations around them.
Then change the system. Him and his bloody rigid system. He is putting all the blame on the players in post match. He is cramming too much stuff into them. Just make the game bloody simple.
He will be the scapegoat.
Expected too much from him today, he was decent but personally I didn't think he was a massive improvement on what Januzaj has offered in recent weeks. Much tougher game though to be fair.
Indeed he will. I particularly dislike the people who will now say that having him central won't work as we tend to get when issues outside of the players control are randomly used against him.
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