DomesticTadpole
Doom-monger obsessed with Herrera & the M.E.N.
Poor Thorpe limps off.
You cover your eyes when Pearson goes in for a challenge.Pearson was everywhere and involved in lots of our best play. Some typically 'Pearson-esque' challenges and some good link up play in and around the box - at least one assist too. Every week I hope he's included in a first team match day squad.
Good minutes for Evans, Herrera and Januzaj. We will need them all with the games coming thick and fast. Janko did well also.
Being a consistent 7/10 in the Reserves doesn't really say "promote me to the seniors"Has Vermijl ever looked out of place at this level? Everytime I see him it's a solid 7/10 performance.
But nowhere near the first team, despite huge issues at FB. Very odd.
That is an absolutely brilliant goal
Consistency is a necessary attribute for a defender though.He was on the bench one time this season so not that far off LVG's plan.Being a consistent 7/10 in the Reserves doesn't really say "promote me to the seniors"
Agreed. Denis Irwin famously made a very good career out of 7/10 performances.Consistency is a necessary attribute for a defender though.He was on the bench one time this season so not that far off LVG's plan.
Doesn't look good for Rothwell and no subs left.
Rothwell back on.
haha within the space of 2 minutes! Great goal!!Stunner from Rothwell 0-5
Would it be fair to just describe that as five central midfielders given the freedom to move around freely and share the various responsibilities?It was a strange formation in effect…41311 for the first 30 minutes.
Pereira mostly used as a holding player in front of back four with Herrera playing behind Will Keane. They swapped from time to time but the middle three of Harrop, Pearson and Januzaj moved up and down as a three so the shape was pretty fluid.
It changed a little when Harrop came off with the middle three swapping around quite a bit. By half time, with Blackburn not in the game, we attacked more and it looked more like a traditional 433/442/451 at different times.
Yep. Most dominant performance by any United team I've seen in ages. Some pretty football as well. If only the first team could play with such fluidity.It's hard to compare - but this could possibly be the best U21 performance I have seen by United for many, many years
Is it just me or Rothwell looks to be better in a Di Maria sort of role than a typical no.8 role?He looks far more influential when near the final third than deeper position for me.I've rarely seen why people think Rothwell could make it, but yesterday's sub performance was really, really good. His energy made a difference, he found forward passes and he took his goals well
You have to take into account that there was a senior player in net, in the back 4, our new £30m signing who was our best player after Di maria at the start of the season, and januzaj in there. They would all start for most prem teams, so they would make a big impact at that lower level.It's hard to compare - but this could possibly be the best U21 performance I have seen by United for many, many years
Did you miss just about every game from last October until the end of the season? He was consistently outstanding and hopefully Tuesday's performance signals a return to form.I've rarely seen why people think Rothwell could make it, but yesterday's sub performance was really, really good. His energy made a difference, he found forward passes and he took his goals well
I caught some.Did you miss just about every game from last October until the end of the season? He was consistently outstanding and hopefully Tuesday's performance signals a return to form.
He made a lot more happen offensively than Pearson last term, though - obviously - they played very different roles. Apart from a small handful of appearances early on, Rothwell's smarts and energy were catalytic the season throughout.I caught some.
Just wasn't that impressed. Didnt do as much defensively as Pearson and didnt impress me any more on the ball making things happen
Yesterday he was very good making things happen going forward
This. Of course he does less defensively than Pearson, because Pearson is the more defensive of the pair and Rothwell the more attacking. Both were superb throughout last season. Which is why it's so fantastic to see that they both put in big performances together in this game - we really don't want to see a Pogba-esque lazy season just because they're still in the U21s.He made a lot more happen offensively than Pearson last term, though - obviously - they played very different roles. Apart from a small handful of appearances early on, Rothwell's smarts and energy were catalytic the season throughout.