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Yes, Gallas was stripped of the captaincy, I remember his tantrum, sitting on the game ended and sulking.
I think we should be beyond all this media nonsense. They think we are rubbish anyways. So about time we stop caring about them.
Maybe we can pledge him?
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Yep as most of us predicted. The reason we're looking for a new CB is to replace Maguire.
I think the tradition of the captaincy being a job for life is a fairly recent one; certainly at United. Ray Wilkins was made captain on Martin Buchan’s departure* but was replaced by Bryan Robson after a season at the most. Wilkins was still at the club (and a key starter) for a season after that.
Most probably just a journo speculating.
Pau Torres looks like the ideal candidate. I haven't seen him play that often, but he stood out in the few games I've seen him play, a classy modern CB with a commanding presence we lack in the current squad. Skriniar is another option, but I feel Torres offers more.
It's not just about long range passes. Or passing alone, in fact. Maguire's passes between the lines, and the fact that, unlike most cbs, he is comfortable at passing in tight positions is on par with Blind. Where he has Blind beat is ball carrying and the ability to shield the ball under pressure.
His passing is not even close to the quality of Blinds. Maguires passes very often put the receiver under massive pressure because of how badly aimed they are and how they are almost allways either to fast or to slow.
Comfortable at passing in tight conditions? We can't be talking about the same player. Once an opposing player gets within a couple of yards of Maguire he loses any form of composure he shows when given time and space. I actually panic every time I see him with the ball when he's being closed down.
Don't forget a keeper who doesn't come off his line, isn't looking for a back pass, and rarely opens his mouth. VVD would look like crap in our defense. One day the muppets will finally wake up and realize what the real problem is.
His bottom level is pretty low, but his top level is certainly better than Lindelof, Bailly, Jones, Tuanzebe etc.Once?
He is our 4nd best defender.
That's why there's a few murmurs of a back 3. Varane and someone else quick back there.
Assuming top level is that they play to their maximum ability based on their level of talent.
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Thanks, Gareth. Hopefully we can get a good fee for him.
A bit like asking quadriplegic to pick their best limb.
completely disagree.
people are just rewriting history. Maguire has always been fantastic on the ball.
I think if we had a poll asking if Maguire is comfortable in possession when being pressurised I'd imagine close to 80% would say no way. Under little pressure he does look, if not classy then at least capable but he's not an all round ball player which would set him apart from other players in my humble opinion.
We can’t donate him until this Deppo-Heard thing is settled.
Speculation but I have a feeling a lot of predictions about several players' fates under ETH will start to materialise one by one. Starting from more obvious ones like AWB I expect to see several first teamers in another jersey before his 3rd year. He'll improve players but maybe not the ones people want him to. Some of these signings should have never even been made for a team wanting to play proactively. Maguire's pace wouldn't be problematic if he didnt have the occasional habit of overcommitting.
In what way is he pretty good though, besides heading balls out of his own area (which he's always been excellent at)? He's not great positionally, he lacks any sort of athleticism to make up for his positional lapses, he's pretty passive in challenging for the ball, and he's a bang average passer/distributor from the back that struggles mightily when pressed.
I think that depends on whether or not Varane can stay fit. If Timber is brought in he is guaranteed to start.
If it's true we're in for a CB one of Varane or Maguire is already in trouble. Plus Maguire always seems to need a proper this or proper that beside him. We got him Varane and he regressed. It always feels like he needs a ton of compensating when a proper CB should be able to hold his own. What happens when the CB partner or DM is injured? We give him the day off? He needs to hold his own. The truth is our porous midfield is compounded by having unathletic, positionally suspect defenders behind them. They suffer from the CBs being shaky as much as the CBs suffer from them being bad. It's not a situation that should be used to assure anyone when they are all part of the problem. Cos then I could just say I'm sure Fred would look better with two proper world class CBs behind him.
