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Memphis has played the role pretty intelligently so far, but I just feel we could benefit from him on the left and Ander as the AM, rather than only having one or the other.
I can understand him wanting a goal scoring #10 as it alleviates the responsibility on Rooney, but Ander can add goals and then we'd get goals from Memphis on the left, something we don't really get from Young. I just feel we could get the best of both worlds.
Valencia was coming back from injury though, wasn't he?
They each played half of the match though, so he could have easily put him in the A team.
Wait what??
'We have brought Darmian for the second position behind Valencia and now already because of injury, (Paddy) McNair has to play there.'
The A team played 65 minutes. It was clearly his preferred XI. Presumably he didn't want Valencia to play so many minutes in his first appearance after the injury. Either that or Darmian's performances on tour so far have pushed him up the pecking order.
Suppose so, any way the point I was trying to make is people need to stop worrying too much about Herrera being in the B team, he is good enough, he will force his way in the first team.
It must be taxing to prove yourself repeatedly. He already forced his way into our starting XI in the second half of the season, and was one of our best players. It's a bit preposterous if he is down the pecking order again and will need to prove himself this time too, if that is indeed the case.
Every player in the squad has to constantly "prove himself". That's how competition for places works. Having signed two top class players that play the same position as him, Hererra will know that the competition for his place just got tougher. He's said as much himself.
I want to die now.
Darmian will overtake him soon.
I like Darmian. It's pre-season though. We will have to see how he copes in the PL. That's a different animal.
Ofcourse.
It's concerning tbh and it doesn't bode well for squad progression if someone like Herrera has to prove himself all over again after the second half of the season he just had. We are supposed to be adding to the players that did well but all we've seen is Smalling and Herrera, two of our top five performers last season, being dropped down the packing order for no reason at all. Funny how Rooney isn't being asked to prove himself all over again despite showing a major technical flaw that is dragging the team backwards.
That's not something Hererra does at all.
I was just going to say that. There is no way he would throw 11 kids on in the 2nd half. The three experienced players as you say gave them a steady influence. We have a squad it will be utilised. The ones saying he will be sold in the winter. Oh yeah, just as we hit the business end of europe we sell one of our better players and obviously everyone knows there are going to be no injuries etc up to then. We are Manchester United just wait until they land back in Manchester, somebody will pick up an injury it is inevitable. Also I seem to remember everyone going overboard about our kids after last pre-season. Some will get there chance, some will be loaned out. Pre-season friendlies are great but when it comes down to the nitty gritty, experience counts.
Would also explain why Basti was on the young team too.
There's a reason why they were the ones there chosen "to provide quality and leadership". If both the first half and second half teams had a mix of young and senior players then there'd be no point in reading into it, but that's not what happened. The team in the first half was exclusively filled with players from the first team. The team in the second half was filled with players on the fringes (many of whom were young). Unfortunately Smalling and Herrera are on the fringes. I don't see any point in denying that.
Conjecture.
I think Smalling is still first choice, but I can definitely see Jones doing that.
The Chicken Littles have been going a bit crazy over something that only seems logical when you look at the teams that LvG sent out. We brought loads of attacking midfielders and wide players on tour and have less midfield options that can play as a 6/8. The only other option was to play Fellaini and LvG didn't do that until Schweinsteiger was hurt.
It's more Louis that said he was a No 10. I think he is more a No.8 tbh. Maybe Louis is in conversion mood again. The goalie signing has buggered his chances of being in goal. We will see anyway, the squad is definitely improving in quality now and should be capable of coping with any eventuality.
I think he's more a nr. 8 too. But as I said I dont get that obsession about Herrera being nr. 10. Sure we must see it in practise but we havent seen it till now and many think it's perfect solution already.
I don't think there's a #10 in a plain 4-3-3. The two wide forwards and one of the midfielders are expected to pitch in with the goals with the striker. The advanced mid fairly plays like a #8 ahead of the two holding players, which is what he has bought with the Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin and Carrick rotation.
Hm I agree.
The difference between when he plays and when he doesn't is such a contrast.
I dont think that's the case.
No one in the team has a divine right to any spot. Seen it suggested anywhere regarding Herrera as the #10?
I think Pereira will be his competitor for that nr. 10 too. Or so I hope cause the kid looks good.
