Mcfredinay

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Somehow I don't think McFredinay is gonna stick...
 

kouroux

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Its not even the same position as what Pereira/Lingard are playing for us now. Pogba played as the LCM while Pereira/Lingard plays in the hole behind Martial. Just look at the heatmaps.

Anyway, I'm not saying they are a better fit than Pogba because they are defensively better. I'm just saying its extremely debatable that Pogba is the answer in that position, considering the fact that 1) we have already tried him in that position and 2) he is not a natural #10. And if we are to keep the Fred-Mctominay combo, we need to find a way to fit him into the current setup.
I get you, I'm not saying that either. With the current squad, he is the closest thing we have to an answer at that position. The alternatives are so tragic, a clear drop in quality I mean. Going forward, if we can get a better player for that position, I'd be all for it.
I just don't wanna see Pogba play where he was playing earlier this season, that's a complete waste IMHO and it would disrupt McTominay-Fred
 

12OunceEpilogue

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Fred wouldn't even get a job cleaning the boots of players at City or Liverpool (or Chelsea/Arsenal) but the fact he is becoming accepted at United tells you exactly how far we have fallen...
Arsenal? They had Guendouzi and Torreira, with David Luiz occasionally stepping in from the back five, struggling to contain Leicester's midfield on Saturday. I imagine they could have done with the all-action Fred from yesterday breaking up the play and spreading the ball, let alone in the dressing room cleaning boots.

He's being spoken of favourably because he's looked decent in the past few games and pretty bloody good yesterday. I'd warn anyone getting carried away about Fred to calm down, but what's wrong with a bit of praise for an encouraging few games?
 

AltiUn

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I've seen a few people wondering how the team dynamic might change with Pogba instead of Pereira but I think he'll fit in just fine, this is the first time since he's been at the club that the team hasn't been built around him and isn't relient on him to be successful, instead of having to carry the burden by himself he'll just be another cog in the machine which I reckon will do him wonders. He'll be able to get on with his game without feeling like he has to force something constantly.
 

ivaldo

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I don’t think Pogba necessarily needs to be restricted to playing just as a #10. Give him license to roam. His long passing is a fabulous tool to lose entirely. We’ve got a solid foundation in McTominay and Fred, so Pogba occasionally being out of position shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
 

EwanI Ted

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Happy with the form of these two, but I'd be a hell of a lot happier if they were fighting with two or three others players of similar or better quality for a place in the first team.
 

gza the genius

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I don’t think Pogba necessarily needs to be restricted to playing just as a #10. Give him license to roam. His long passing is a fabulous tool to lose entirely. We’ve got a solid foundation in McTominay and Fred, so Pogba occasionally being out of position shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
This is what I’m imagining. Basically just let Pogba do what he wants and leave Fred and Mctominay as is.
 

Josep Dowling

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We win what should be a straight forward home game and now we have nickname for two average central midfielders. Maybe allow them to perform consistently for a few weeks?

We will probably lose to Sheffield United next with these two starting in midfield.
 

Bebestation

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Its not like Pogba is a pure AM either so he will try to drop back occasionally and do some defensive work where he can add even more power and tenacity to the midfield.

It should be quite hard to get through.
 

Lynty

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I want to agree dude but he’s not had much choice has he.

Fair play though to Fred for keeping his head down and working through some real troubles to put in a performance like that. Let’s hope it carries on and his price could yet prove to be justified.

some really nice touches and passes from him today. His confidence will grow after today.
Fergie would have played Jones in the middle.
 

Mihai

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I think we've seen some of the potential of this group of players today. Lots of young hungry players who'll get better and more consistent over time. The squad is still very thin on the ground in areas though and we'll struggle if McTominay is out for a while. He's been terrific.
Moyes chips ban is starting to pay off.
 

Volumiza

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Fergie would have played Jones in the middle.
Maybe Lynty ... but what would he do after Jones got injured?

Just saying that Ole hasn't had much choice but to partner McT with Fred. Matic isn't an option any more and with PP injured the midfield kind of selected itself out of necessity.
 

Steven-UK

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Arsenal? They had Guendouzi and Torreira, with David Luiz occasionally stepping in from the back five, struggling to contain Leicester's midfield on Saturday. I imagine they could have done with the all-action Fred from yesterday breaking up the play and spreading the ball, let alone in the dressing room cleaning boots.

He's being spoken of favourably because he's looked decent in the past few games and pretty bloody good yesterday. I'd warn anyone getting carried away about Fred to calm down, but what's wrong with a bit of praise for an encouraging few games?
Nothing really, but I feel we need to be cautious about the quality we are starting to accept if we are to start looking to get back into top 4, and challenging. I actually like the lad, and want him to do well, but he isn't really the quality we really need, I think that's plain to see.
 

12OunceEpilogue

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Nothing really, but I feel we need to be cautious about the quality we are starting to accept if we are to start looking to get back into top 4, and challenging. I actually like the lad, and want him to do well, but he isn't really the quality we really need, I think that's plain to see.
Until a few games ago I'd have agreed 100%, but now Fred's shown he can play well in a two alongside McTominay I'm now keen to see him given an extended chance. You may be proven right in the long run and I'd be surprised if a quality midfielder isn't near the top of our list in the next couple of windows but let's see what he can do in the next few games.
 

TheRedHearted

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Until Pogba is back Rashford or greenwood as 10 should have happened. Now Mctominay is out I’ve no idea what to do. I think 3-5-2 is actually the solution with Taunzebe, Maguire and Lindelof if Wan-Bissaka. If Taunzebe is out then Wan-Bissaka on the right side of the three a was is the solution
 

TRUERED89

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Easily our most balanced, best CM pairing.

They compliment each other really well, almost mirroring each other on both sides of the pitch.

If we can get Pogba back to top form playing the 10 in front of them with the front 3, we’d be a really good team.
We'll see if this opinion remains with the very next draw/loss. People just analyse from game to game, it's never an overall view. They'll be labelled shite again very soon, mark my words! :lol:
 

theklr

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We win what should be a straight forward home game and now we have nickname for two average central midfielders. Maybe allow them to perform consistently for a few weeks?

We will probably lose to Sheffield United next with these two starting in midfield.
Dont worry, he will be out for a long period of time now so you sceptics can hash it out on whoever is gonna start now and be even worse
 

Josep Dowling

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Dont worry, he will be out for a long period of time now so you sceptics can hash it out on whoever is gonna start now and be even worse
‘Skeptic’. Fred has been here over a season and a half, costing £52m and has never consistently shown any quality. Against Partizan Belgrade he passed straight to their striker who was through on goal. Only for the fact they aren’t great opposition did he get away with it. He loses possession too often for a decent central midfielder.

McTom has looked better this season but he’s a very limited player given more patience by the fans because he’s British and from the youth system.
 

theklr

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‘Skeptic’. Fred has been here over a season and a half, costing £52m and has never consistently shown any quality. Against Partizan Belgrade he passed straight to their striker who was through on goal. Only for the fact they aren’t great opposition did he get away with it. He loses possession too often for a decent central midfielder.

McTom has looked better this season but he’s a very limited player given more patience by the fans because he’s British and from the youth system.
I understand that as well, but it is the best we got now. And they have actually started to play semi-decent. Nothing wrong with some naiv optimism sometimes.
 

Le Red

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Honestly we have been better in the last 7 games than we have been in a long while, it should be hard for pogba to get back into the team, especially if form continues
Easy decision to have him instead of Pereira in the first 11.
 

Zlatattack

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I've seen a few people wondering how the team dynamic might change with Pogba instead of Pereira but I think he'll fit in just fine, this is the first time since he's been at the club that the team hasn't been built around him and isn't relient on him to be successful, instead of having to carry the burden by himself he'll just be another cog in the machine which I reckon will do him wonders. He'll be able to get on with his game without feeling like he has to force something constantly.
This. Pogba is no Robson or Gerrard. He is an extremely talented player, he's not one to drag a team by himself, give him the freedom to play his game without crippling pressure and he'll do very well for us.

At some points in the previous seasons it's been a case of stop Pogba and United have nothing to offer in attack. It's been too easy.
 

Davìd Moyéz

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Still not convinced by Fred. I don't think he is creative enough or accurate enough in his passing. Neither is Scotty McT but he offers a lot that Fred doesn't.

Fred had his best game at the weekend but I just don't think he's technically gifted enough to become a top player. I'll be surprised if he ever has a five goals or assist season for us. Fred is a decent 4th or 5th choice midfielder. Perfect for cup games and hectic Christmas schedules. A more in shape Anderson.
 

Adam-Utd

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This. Pogba is no Robson or Gerrard. He is an extremely talented player, he's not one to drag a team by himself, give him the freedom to play his game without crippling pressure and he'll do very well for us.

At some points in the previous seasons it's been a case of stop Pogba and United have nothing to offer in attack. It's been too easy.
Indeed.

I actually think this period without him has been a “blessing in disguise” in famous caf fashion.

the team have learnt how to play without him finally. We don’t rely on him which we desperately did before.

this can only be a good thing, and I think leaving fred and mctominay to be the midfield is the wise thing to do. Let pogba go and link up with martial rashford and James and be the playmaker closer to goal that we’ve been needing. The boys behind are doing a good job.
 

fps

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This is what I’m imagining. Basically just let Pogba do what he wants and leave Fred and Mctominay as is.
That would really stuff up the pressing game Solskjaer wants to implement. I don't think Pogba should be given a free role, the opposite, he needs precisely defined parameters for what the manager wants from him in a game. We saw that in his simplified role at the start of the season which he played very well. He would have numerous assists to his name if the strikers were finishing off the chances he was creating.
 

Sandikan

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Indeed.

I actually think this period without him has been a “blessing in disguise” in famous caf fashion.

the team have learnt how to play without him finally. We don’t rely on him which we desperately did before.

this can only be a good thing, and I think leaving fred and mctominay to be the midfield is the wise thing to do. Let pogba go and link up with martial rashford and James and be the playmaker closer to goal that we’ve been needing. The boys behind are doing a good job.
It certainly is one for Fred. He's enjoying his longest run in the team since signing, without Pogba doing the stuff he's wanting to do.

If nothing else, another month of starts should give us a proper idea whether we can rescue him as a signing, or whether we need to get rid and upgrade.
 

Bobcat

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Still not convinced by Fred. I don't think he is creative enough or accurate enough in his passing. Neither is Scotty McT but he offers a lot that Fred doesn't.

Fred had his best game at the weekend but I just don't think he's technically gifted enough to become a top player. I'll be surprised if he ever has a five goals or assist season for us. Fred is a decent 4th or 5th choice midfielder. Perfect for cup games and hectic Christmas schedules. A more in shape Anderson.
He still has to show he can deliver consistently and against better teams than Brighton, but i thought what we saw in that game was very promising. What bothers me the most is not his technique, but rather that he is quite lightweight and that is a problem against those sides who employ big, brawny shithouses in MF
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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Fredominay.

They work well together and have done ever since that game vs PSG. The two are defensively very sound and dynamic. Off the ball, they do a good job. Neither one are specialised in protecting the back four, but the two dovetail well.

In big games where we need to stay solid, then I'd be happy with these two to continue. However, games where we need to break teams down, perhaps we could drop Pogba deeper, which Ole has been doing, and put in an attacking midfielder.

Problem is, because we lack a creative 10 and Fred and McTominay work well together as a pivot, then for now, we should probably try Pogba as a 10 with them behind him.
 
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Walters_19_MuFc

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He still has to show he can deliver consistently and against better teams than Brighton, but i thought what we saw in that game was very promising. What bothers me the most is not his technique, but rather that he is quite lightweight and that is a problem against those sides who employ big, brawny shithouses in MF
My problem with him is his concentration levels. He does some really good things, but you're left scratching your head with other things he does throughout the game. He also doesnt always give me the most confidence when being pressed, but hopefully he can build on his performance against Brighton. There's definately a player in there.
 

MadDogg

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We'll see if this opinion remains with the very next draw/loss. People just analyse from game to game, it's never an overall view. They'll be labelled shite again very soon, mark my words! :lol:
A lot of people wanted to see this midfield right from the start of the season. It is, in theory at least, our most solid and balanced midfield (with Pogba alongside them obviously).

Now obviously that doesn't mean that it will work in the longterm, but we can be hopeful. It's the only combination we have right now that has the potential to function as a proper midfield.
 

Red00012

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Dont worry, he will be out for a long period of time now so you sceptics can hash it out on whoever is gonna start now and be even worse
Well to be honest Fred is pants. Just because we
We'll see if this opinion remains with the very next draw/loss. People just analyse from game to game, it's never an overall view. They'll be labelled shite again very soon, mark my words! :lol:
Well to be fair that’s exactly what Fred is. Just because we dominated Brighton all of a sudden he’s a world beater. His one of the worst midfielders to give the ball away from trying to pick out passes I’ve seen at the club.

As you’ve mentioned the next negative result his performance thread will be back to normal again saying he’s not good enough.