I don’t think that was a standard performance. He’s had plenty of games where he’s used the ball a lot better than he did tonight, that’s for sure. His passing is limited but it’s not often as bad as it was tonight.
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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For sure, but I think those games are far more the exception than what we saw tonight. At any rate, it was well within the range of normal for him.
He’s the player we need to improve upon. Then we can play a 6 and two of Bruno VDB Pogba
id Posted a reply about Cavani. So it genuinely was the wrong thread. No funny games going on.
The press and engine were good but he was brainless at times in our half and gifted possession were a more dangerous opposition might have punished. Also gave away the freekick they scored from somewhat needlessly. Not one of his better games
He was decent, I've said for ages he's a squad player if we are building to win the PL and CL and I still feel the same, great to come into games when he has a specific hunting role, like how Fergie would use a player like Park or Phil Neville, but he needs a positionally disciplined player next to him and doesn't offer enough on the ball to have a DM with him.
Great work rate and ball winning, then he Spanish the ball against an oppo player when trying a Long ball m. Will someone just tell him to play it feckin short?
Not his best game. The usual pressing was there but he kept scuffing his passes straight to an opponent. He's still one of our most important players.
Kante is also better at carrying the ball and has more reliable passing
I can't relax when he is close to or on the ball. You never know what he is going to do. He is the opposite of DVdB in that I am surprised if he manages to pass to one of our players or not foul the opponent.
Sloppy passing yesterday, but we always are better with him on the pitch.
Gets caught out far too often and is high risk. Plays the obvious pass far too often and totally lacks any form of composure. Having a "good engine" is not enough to cement a place in our midfield. We have far better options!
He lacks the obvious composure when passing and this is a issue that is continually brought up with Fred. But we simply dont have anyone capable of doing the unfashionable things he does without the ball. He's generally great at closing the opposition down and upping the tempo in that respect. For that reason he has to be in the side. Its a no brainer.
Reality is we don't. At the moment our midfield is Fred +1(2).
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The problem he has is obvious ie passing. He misplaces easy passes and his pass selection isn't great either. His job last night should have been straight forward, win the ball give the easy pass to Bruno or VDB, for some reason he was trying difficult passes when an easy option was on. The biggest issue I have with his passing is him misplacing in our own half esp when he's the only dm we have. We know our backline has issues but us giving the other team possession in our own half is criminal. I like his hussle, I like he doesn't stop running, but there is no way we could play him with VDB and Bruno against any kind of decent team. We will be stuck with him and McT against good teams, which then restricts our attacking play. One quality DM could let us play that mid and forward combination against good teams in my personal opinion.
Wasn't good on the ball but wasn't himself defensively either. Just a poor game from him.
Perfect description of Fred. He is a definition of good supporting midfielder.
Him and van de Beek wouldn't work against any sides. They both need physical presence alongside.
They seemed to work pretty well against Istanbul. Not saying they could do it against every team but the played very well together in the week.
Fred, VDB and Bruno were a handful.
When we had the ball it was a joy to watch. But we got bypassed too often though I think that's more down to our poor pressing
Yep, agreed but that was one match, would be interesting to see how that combo could develop.
For handling the defensive side of our midfield pretty much on his own he did well. For all the praise VdB got for his performance he was rubbish defensively, which is why we won't see him in a more central position against any top side
So you think for example both can work with McTominay? Well we know Fred can. How about DVB? You think the partnership between DVB and McTominay is better than DVB and Fred?
I consider both Fred and McTominay as ball winning / supporting midfielders. They are not DMs. They both have good defensive skills, operate pretty much in the same area of the pitch (Fred on the left, McTominay on the right). Both contribute little going forward but are effective at moving the ball quickly. That's all similarities. McTominay has better touch and is better mid / long range passer. Fred energy is amazing so it helps the entire team.
The reason why I doubt Fred - VdB can work is because they have similar weak points - easy to dominate physically and in the air, and non existent long range passing.
McTominay - Fred will be the safest option for sure (defensively sound, ok in general). Fred - Donny will more creative but weak defensively. It might be enough against many teams mind you.
In case of McTominay - van de Beek so called double pivot (we play more of two conservative box to box), Scott takes care of fighting the midfield battle, winning headers and physical presence, while Donny helps to get the ball forward. On paper they just complement each other very well.
Any midfield setup can work against some opponents, but McTominay - van de Beek pairing is the only one that can be a base for a team that can play any opponent. Both low block and top tier.
Obviously that all applies to 4231. In case of 433 with single pivot (only Matic for us can play that role), it's much easier to accommodate Donny. But in that scenario there is no place for either Fred nor McTominay - they don't contribute enough going forward.
Agreed with all of that. On paper McTominay and VDB should be our best pairing. Maybe even Matic and VDB though VDB would really need to put in a shift then.
Love Fred's energy but yeah if VDB is to become a starter and if he proves to be an upgrade over Fred then Fred is likely the odd man out.
Southampton 2:3 Man Utd
Shit foul for their second but he's getting better at passing through the midfield. The linkup play with him Bruno and VdB is really promising when you combine it with his energy
He’s lucky as hell we pulled that off. Constantly fouling no matter where it was on the pitch. Great engine but inconsistent footballer
Good shout for MOTM again, at a time when Bruno and VDB were loosing possession Fred kept regaining it and passing it back to them
Very important in the second half. He was good
Passing has gotten so much better
If it wasn't for Cavani he'd be my MOTM, dominated midfield in the second. Foul for Saints' second was utter stupiditity
Masterclass of a midfield performance in the second half. Brilliant.
Cavani will understandably take the plaudits today, but that was the best 45 mins midfield shift in a United shirt for a long time.
Cavani will understandably take the plaudits today, but that was the best 45 mins midfield shift in a United shirt for a long time.
That foul was utterly brainless. Sort of negates his obvious impact on the game elsewhere, unfortunately.
Changed the game when moved to centre. Haters will hate.....
He was garbage.
Laughable
Haters will hate.....
no idea what game you were watching.
Good game second half but so thick and brainless giving away a free kick on the edge of the box vs the best free kick taker in the league
Bruno is the obvious highlight player but Fred is the POTY contender again, some world class contributions of his shouldn't go unnoticed because he plays deeper and makes us midfield tick. You could see him starting almost every dangerous attack of ours, winning 50-50s, tackling, intercepting, very clever, quick and accurate passing between the lines.
He's been immense player for us despite his slower start under Mourinho.
He's been immense player for us despite his slower start under Mourinho.
He was superb in second half. He was the start of our first goal as well beating two players.
I was just thinking the same. Runs a lot, does very little. This forum has a host of batshit crazy people on it though.
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