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Maguire played Brighton onside and then couldnt keep up with the Brighton speedsters for that goal. Strange to blame Zirkzee or de Ligt for that.
Todays first goal we conceded highlights the problem playing Zirkzee as a 9
Baleba got possession deep in Brightons half when he dropped into Brightons backline, Amorims instruction is for one of the wide centre halves to jump into midfield on Pedro which leaves a huge gap behind. Baleba puts the ball inside Mazraoui where De Light was previously covering and off Mitouma runs through on goal and centres for Minteh to score.
The whole shit show for that goal starts with Zirkzee who never bothered closing Baleba who had all the time in the world to pick that pass as well as De Light for continuing the jump when it was a long ball behind with zero pressure on the passer and Mazraoui going to sleep.
Its like playing an offside line how can you start that jump from defence when there is zero pressure being put on the passer of the ball.
Not a bad idea! But is JZ as nasty as Joelinton? I don’t think so. Seems a nice lad.Maybe we could joelinton him?
He's a similar size and similar goal threat
When you say similar size, you mean height right? Because Joelinton is fast/lean/aggressive - I think it's fair to say Zirkzee is none of these things - we've seen him have loads of moments where he dribbles into space and an opposition player always then just overtakes him and gets the ball back.Maybe we could joelinton him?
He's a similar size and similar goal threat
Surely he and Hojlund complement each other? One running the channels, the other holding up the ball.
No idea why we insist on playing just one and blunting our firepower, when as is they are individually not good enough.
I actually think this is our only option.Surely he and Hojlund complement each other? One running the channels, the other holding up the ball.
No idea why we insist on playing just one and blunting our firepower, when as is they are individually not good enough.
Yeah i want to see that tried out too.I actually think that’s how you’re probably going to get the best out of both of them. Hojlund to the left of Zirkzee with Amad on the right.
A very lop sided attack but Hojlund can’t hold it up. Just get him high between the RB & RCB and look for Bruno/Zirkzee to play it behind for him to run onto.
RWB - Ugarte - Bruno - LWB
Amad - Zirkzee - Hojlund
I don’t think this is a great solution but it’s benefit both.
Yeah it is weird how we haven't tried playing them together a couple off matches. Højlund is the type of player that needs to run at space, with or without the ball. Not a player that is going to keep the ball and bring others in.I actually think that’s how you’re probably going to get the best out of both of them. Hojlund to the left of Zirkzee with Amad on the right.
A very lop sided attack but Hojlund can’t hold it up. Just get him high between the RB & RCB and look for Bruno/Zirkzee to play it behind for him to run onto.
RWB - Ugarte - Bruno - LWB
Amad - Zirkzee - Hojlund
I don’t think this is a great solution but it’s benefit both.
I wasn't being totally serious it was a flippant comment based on him being big and rubbish in front of goalWhen you say similar size, you mean height right? Because Joelinton is fast/lean/aggressive - I think it's fair to say Zirkzee is none of these things - we've seen him have loads of moments where he dribbles into space and an opposition player always then just overtakes him and gets the ball back.
I'll try anything right nowI wasn't being totally serious it was a flippant comment based on him being big and rubbish in front of goal
Probably because as individual players they aren't really worth playing over someone we would have to drop to start them together?Surely he and Hojlund complement each other? One running the channels, the other holding up the ball.
No idea why we insist on playing just one and blunting our firepower, when as is they are individually not good enough.
Probably because as individual players they aren't really worth playing over someone we would have to drop to start them together?
He's not starting much either but he's far more talented than Hojlund especially and he is in fact offering more than both of them still when he does play.Its not like Garnacho is offering more at the moment
He's not starting much either but he's far more talented than Hojlund especially and he is in fact offering more than both of them still when he does play.
Beyond that though, the system isn't a 3-5-2, it's a 3-4-2-1. He doesn't use 2 strikers. I do agree that both Zirkzee and Hojlund are better suited to playing as a front 2 pairing and that's where they impressed more while in Italy anyway, but I don't think it's worth changing your system for 2 mediocre players so it's whatever.
I'd say the only results that actually matter for the rest of this season are cup games, and the league games are basically purely development games. So making system adjustments to try and grind out results (not that I think they would bring better results anyway) isn't actually beneficial to us... What we need is proper development with the system that he's going to be playing with us, and player development for those that will be here long term. That matters more than moving from 13th to 10th by the end of the season.I dont really care about talent at the moment. Right now we need to focus on results and Garnacho is struggling in this system, talent or no.
Højlund can run the lanes like he did in Atalanta. Its hardly changing the system.
I'd say the only results that actually matter for the rest of this season are cup games, and the league games are basically purely development games. So making system adjustments to try and grind out results (not that I think they would bring better results anyway) isn't actually beneficial to us... What we need is proper development with the system that he's going to be playing with us, and player development for those that will be here long term. That matters more than moving from 13th to 10th by the end of the season.
No but I was correct, unfortunately he just matches the rest of the team’s performanceGuarantee you're hoping he's rubbish on Sunday.
We should try to play them both at some time, Josh and Raz. Josh can receive the ball and Raz can run in behind and score. Easy as that!
They're both not good enough, and certainly don't warrant us changing the system for players of their limited calibre. We should stick with one or the other until we ideally sign a proper CF, and then slowly bin the pair of them.We should try to play them both at some time, Josh and Raz. Josh can receive the ball and Raz can run in behind and score. Easy as that!
Right here right now they are most certainly not good enough. But both are young and are showing talent when they are getting in the right situations. Josh dropping deeper to receive and he shows good link up qualities, Rasmus getting to run the channels and you can see he is a powerful runner that is hard to contain, we have also seen a number of times that he is a good finisher.They're both not good enough, and certainly don't warrant us changing the system for players of their limited calibre. We should stick with one or the other until we ideally sign a proper CF, and then slowly bin the pair of them.
Surely he and Hojlund complement each other? One running the channels, the other holding up the ball.
No idea why we insist on playing just one and blunting our firepower, when as is they are individually not good enough.
I think Zirkzee can succeed if we end up with attacking wingbacks and CAMs who are willing to make the runs in behind.
The LWB and LAM signings will be crucial to his career at this club.
Who are the better false 9's in the world currently?
Im just asking because i have a feeling that Zirkzee could one day be one of the best of his role (not his position).
With regard to Hojlund and how many pure number 9's he has to compete with then Hojlunds challenge is much more tough.
Barely anyone plays with a false 9 nowadays. Olmo is on another level when played there (most lately against Betis). Havertz too — he's a very good option for the role despite his horrendous performance against us in the cup. Some would classify Kane as one even though he's a proper number 9 that loves to drop deeper. Zirkzee isn't even remotely close to these guys though.Who are the better false 9's in the world currently?
Im just asking because i have a feeling that Zirkzee could one day be one of the best of his role (not his position).
With regard to Hojlund and how many pure number 9's he has to compete with then Hojlunds challenge is much more tough.
Barely anyone plays with a false 9 nowadays. Olmo is on another level when played there (most lately against Betis). Havertz too — he's a very good option for the role despite his horrendous performance against us in the cup. Some would classify Kane as one even though he's a proper number 9 that loves to drop deeper. Zirkzee isn't even remotely close to these guys though.
He had such a great first half too, then we got the equalizer and his attacking ambition fell off a cliff. Disappointing because it shows he along with others have ability but don't have the mentality needed to sustain it the way you'd want from a United player.Hes had 2 games in the #10 position, including against Newcastle where he was subbed after 33 mins. That one was with Hojlund
He just hasnt done enough. Decent first half against Brighton as the striker though
What I've found with Zirk and Rasmus is this. I'm not sure how many will agree.
I think fitness is a problem for both. When Rasmus starts, he runs and runs and has very little service. He gets tired and is out of the game. Zirk's comes on, seems to make an impact and improve how United play.
On the other hand. When Zirk's starts, it's like United haven't figured out the other team, produces very little. Rasmus comes on and has a bigger impact than the Zirk. And vice versa.
Does anyone else feel this way?
To me it's either a fitness issue or by the time one comes off the bench, United are more organised in the game etc... and they can make a better impact than the starter.
I’d start him tomorrow and the same in the two games after. Give him a proper run to see what he can do. I’m dubious but in then out then in again isn’t doing him any favours I don’t think and Hojlund has had a run of games since Amorim came in.
