Pogba out for 4 to 6 weeks | No Megathreads

[Laurentiu amt]

This is why we shouldn't have sent Pereira on loan...

It was his choice man, and an understandable one.

I think Ander and Matic will do fine in CM. Both of them can defend and can go up and protect each other. Thing is, you lose the goal threat with Paul, and the flair, the risks he takes, that's what you miss. Defensively, we'll be okay imo.

This is where Miki, Mata, Martial need to step up big and remove the pressure on the others. I still think that our weak LB spot is the bigger gap than Paul missing a month.

 

[Florida Man]

There is no need to worry. We have Fellaini.

 

[el3mel]

We'll miss his creative passing and counters heavily but I'm sure Fellaini and Herrera will still do a good job in the b2b role beside Matic who also has good passing skills in him. The good thing is all the matches he's going to miss are fairly winnable and no big games, much better than losing him in the difficult period coming in the next match when we'll have to face Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and Benfica.

 

[ottosec]

feck!

 

[CM]

Our run leading up to the international break is pretty favourable. If we can't win those games without Pogba then that's slightly worrying.

 

[ManUtd1999]

If confirmed, these are really bad news.

We'll miss his creative passing and counters heavily but I'm sure Fellaini and Herrera will still do a good job in the b2b role beside Matic who also has good passing skills in him. The good thing is all the matches he's going to miss are fairly winnable and no big games, much better than losing him in the difficult period coming in the next match when we'll have to face Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea and Benfica.

We will play Liverpool in exactly a month, and so he may not be fit for that game. But even if he is, I'm not sure if that's the game to throw him back (at least to protect him).

 

[el3mel]

We will play Liverpool in exactly a month, and so he may not be fit for that game. But even if he is, I'm not sure if that's the game to throw him back (at least to protect him).

We won't know for sure until the date of this match comes, but I think this will be enough period for him to recover.

If he isn't ready for this game by this time, we'll go with Fellaini, Herrera and Matic in the midfield and play a highly defensive game I reckon.

Just hope we don't lose any other midfielder in this period. Injures are the worst thing in football, really.

 

[RedCurry]

This is completely on Deschamps and Mourinho. The guy was clearly playing with athletic tape in the international break. He should've been given a rest but instead he played and got injured.

 

[MZX7]

Should've rested him against Basel after that niggle at the International game

 

[LeftyBlaster]

Ffs injuries every year. Glad we have Ander and Mop to step in though. Ander would probably cover very well in a two man midfield with Matic.

 

[11101]

Herrera - Matic
Mata - Miki - Martial/Rashford

Still a solid lineup on paper. Did Herrera play as a two with Matic on tour?

 

[Android1974]

Herrera - Matic
Mata - Miki - Martial/Rashford

Still a solid lineup on paper. Did Herrera play as a two with Matic on tour?

He didn't.

 

[PieCrust]

Herrera - Matic
Mata - Miki - Martial/Rashford

Still a solid lineup on paper. Did Herrera play as a two with Matic on tour?

Matic allows anyone else to play with him in a 2. He can control the DM aspect by himself, freeing whomever he is partnered with to play more forward. He makes both Fellaini and Pogba better in this respect as they are both better playing more advanced. This also applies to Mhiki having a lot less defensive responsibilites in most situations.

With Matic in the lineup, I'd rather see Fellaini as he causes more problems playing forward than Herrera can.

 

[VancouverUtdFan]

"A month out would rule Pogba out of the Premier League games against Everton, Southampton, Crystal Palace and Liverpool as well as the Champions League game away to CSKA Moscow and the League Cup third round tie at home to Burton Albion."

Only really need him for the Pool game and the CSKA one.

Pretty much this.

Although not ideal lucky to have the injury this early on and not later on in a potentially much more critical stretch for the club. Very manageable considering the teams we're facing in the 4-6 time frame. Guess you can say we kinda dodged a bullet with the timing of it and all.

 

[Jib]

If we are a top side, even without Pogba we must win against Everton, Palace, CSKA...

 

[VancouverUtdFan]

Matic allows anyone else to play with him in a 2. He can control the DM aspect by himself, freeing whomever he is partnered with to play more forward. He makes both Fellaini and Pogba better in this respect as they are both better playing more advanced. This also applies to Mhiki having a lot less defensive responsibilites in most situations.

With Matic in the lineup, I'd rather see Fellaini as he causes more problems playing forward than Herrera can.

> bang on

> yea I don't mind either or, Herrera or Fellain starting or coming off the bench both have their advantages

 

[JustinC00]

This is why we shouldn't have sent Pereira on loan...

We didn't send Pereira out on loan, he forced the loan. Jose was clearly annoyed by it and wanted him to stay.

 

[Red_toad]

We didn't send Pereira out on loan, he forced the loan. Jose was clearly annoyed by it and wanted him to stay.

Certain supporters are annoyed that Jose was annoyed. Looks like he had a point.
But I'm sure we'll be fine, we're much improved this season in midfield.

 

[Seij]

Really unfortunate that our best player got injured so early in the season. Pogba had a huge presence on the field with his ball retention, passing, and physicality, and I don't see anyone stepping up to fulfill that role at this point. Really hope we don't struggle too much without him but I have a hard time being optimistic because most of our rival teams have strengthened since last season and the bar is set even higher now.

 

[11101]

Matic allows anyone else to play with him in a 2. He can control the DM aspect by himself, freeing whomever he is partnered with to play more forward. He makes both Fellaini and Pogba better in this respect as they are both better playing more advanced. This also applies to Mhiki having a lot less defensive responsibilites in most situations.

With Matic in the lineup, I'd rather see Fellaini as he causes more problems playing forward than Herrera can.

Problem with Fellaini playing is it puts a lot of pressure on Matic to cover as he is so easy for opponents to play the ball around. I'd rather see Herrera in most games as he matches the passing style of Miki and Mata.

 

[Grunge]

A big loss no doubt but I'm hoping his early retirement from the match prevented a slight pull from becoming a bad pull or worse, a tear. I doubt it will be the latter. A few weeks at least though.
But in the mean time, with Matic (or occasionally Carrick/Herrera) protecting the otherwise pretty strong back-four partnerships, we have plenty in reserve. Enoiugh I believe to give any team, including the other top 5 teams a very good run for their money, beat most of them most days, and rarely lose with any of the permutations we choose (see below).

I'm not suggesting our CB's are not fallible but with Matic we are much improved over last year at the back (when we conceded very little) and especially if Young can maintain his Tuesday night standard. Shaw is near it seems to a come-back for the first team and hopefully he plays well when he does!

We do have a strong squad filled with both specialists AND players flexibility in terms of the positions they are comfortable and more than competent in.

Every team is going to suffer with injuries as the season progresses, especially those playing in tough, European match-ups but our depth (and maybe City's) will prevail!

And in Mou I trust ...

DDG

Valencia Jones Baily Blind
(Darmian) (Smalling) (Lindelof) (Shaw)
(Young)
Matic
(Carrick or Herrera)
Mata Fellaini
(Lingard) (Herrera)
(Young)

Mhiki Lukaku Rashford
(Mata) (Rashford) (Martial)

Plus we have Rojo & Ibra to come back as well as a couple of youngsters I haven't mentioned.

This will be a test ... one we need to pass!

 

[markhrad]

It will probably never happen but I think that Matic has the ability to play further forward into Pogba's position but that would mean Carrick would have to play as DM.

 

[Mr Smith]

It was his choice man, and an understandable one.

I think Ander and Matic will do fine in CM. Both of them can defend and can go up and protect each other. Thing is, you lose the goal threat with Paul, and the flair, the risks he takes, that's what you miss. Defensively, we'll be okay imo.

This is where Miki, Mata, Martial need to step up big and remove the pressure on the others. I still think that our weak LB spot is the bigger gap than Paul missing a month.

Yeah I agree, but that's why I feel Pereira would have been a perfect deputy; he's got that flair, and has excellent vision.

We probably will be ok, its just a shame; it would have been a great time for the young lad to get a run of matches in our side.

 

[The Mitcher]

People genuinely think Perreira would take over pogba instantly? We did fine after pogba left, we will miss his world class qualities but we have the players already to fill in that gap. To me, we'd be in much more trouble if we lost Matic.

 

[poacher]

This why we should have brought an extra midfielder this year. We are going to have to buy another midfielder to replace Carrack next year anyway so why didn't we buy an extra midfielder this year and integrate into the squad and we would then have cover for injuries and to give players a well-deserved break. If we had purchased Fabinho he could provide cover for midfield and right back and would be perfect for situations like this. Fabinho for 50m would seem like money well spent to me.

 

[AgentP]

We should stick with 4231. With Matic and Fellaini/Herrera, we will have enough defensive cover for the front 4 to play freely. Fellaini will also obviously join in on the attack and make a useful contribution. Time for the big man to stand up and help us through this crucial spell of games.

Hope Paul makes a quick recovery and becomes fit after the international break. We'll need him from next month as the games start getting tougher.

 

[MZX7]

Pretty much this.

Although not ideal lucky to have the injury this early on and not later on in a potentially much more critical stretch for the club. Very manageable considering the teams we're facing in the 4-6 time frame. Guess you can say we kinda dodged a bullet with the timing of it and all.

What makes you think a player can only get injured once in a season?

 

[VancouverUtdFan]

What makes you think a player can only get injured once in a season?

 

[Raees]

DDG
Valencia Bailly Jones Blind
Herrera Matic
Rashford Mata Martial
Lukaku
​

Should win most games on paper

 

[Treble]

He'll recover for Liverpool.

 

[poacher]

DDG
Valencia Bailly Jones Blind
Herrera Matic
Rashford Mata Martial
Lukaku
​

Should win most games on paper

Your team has two problems no crossing ability and if you start Rashford and Martial there are no impact subs to come on to change the course of the game. We would have fired all our bullets at the start. We desperately need some width to our attack. We have a bigger aversion to crosses than Dracula!

 

[barmyarmy]

We should be fine in home games with the fixture list ahead as we dominate possession most of the times. But we will miss his goal threat specially from set pieces as in two away matches he played major part for us in scoring the first goal. My major worry now would be Matic will be tightly marked by opposition teams.

 

[AgentP]

We should be fine in home games with the fixture list ahead as we dominate possession most of the times. But we will miss his goal threat specially from set pieces as in two away matches he played major part for us in scoring the first goal. My major worry now would be Matic will be tightly marked by opposition teams.

I think the set piece threat is the one thing we don't need to worry about since Fellaini more than makes up for that loss. For me, the more worrying part would be whether Matic and Fellaini will be able to handle a midfield 3.

 

[VancouverUtdFan]

Your team has two problems no crossing ability and if you start Rashford and Martial there are no impact subs to come on to change the course of the game. We would have fired all our bullets at the start. We desperately need some width to our attack. We have a bigger aversion to crosses than Dracula!

Unlikely Martial and Rashford start most games, just an idea from the user me thinks.

More likely that not it'll be one of Rashford or Martial starting off left, Mikhi and Mata in the middle + RW. Rashford/Martial can sub off each other or one of Mata/Mikhi, lots of options just there in itself. Impact subs still have Fellaini and Ibra who'll be coming back let's not forget. Crossing, have Young who can play fullback as well and Shaw when he comes back to full health. And then we have Carrick who can start/sub on with Pogba out who offers a unique element himself.

...fortunate José is carrying as much quality depth as we are. Should go a long ways for us this season.

 

[fretless]

Blessing? Will give Pogba a rest heading into a busy and important period. A well rested Pogba will give us a nice boost. I'm not worried about the fixtures he might miss as we have adequate cover and depth to fill in.

 

[pauldyson1uk]

when did we become a 1 man team , we have a good squad of players and without Pogba we are a good team more than capable of beating any team, Yes Pogba makes us better, but some are acting like we have no chance without him.

 

[VancouverUtdFan]

when did we become a 1 man team , we have a good squad of players

This.

Especially after having acquired the players we did this summer transfer window - specifically Matic, José has really created a spine/core which isn't nearly as dependant on a single player vs previous seasons. Matic really gives us a ton of stability we've been missing for quite some time. Can't emphasize enough how valuable his addition was and will be.

 

[prtk0811]

We'll be okay without him. Herrera can get a few games along with carrick.

We can also pair a carrick matic midfeild which would be very interesting to see how they play together.

 

[kiristao]

We'll be okay without him. Herrera can get a few games along with carrick.

We can also pair a carrick matic midfeild which would be very interesting to see how they play together.

Don't think a Carrick-Matic partnership will work as they both take up similar positions. Makes more sense to Play Matic-Herrera as Herrera offers more going forward. The only time a Carrick-Matic partnership makes sense to me is if they play in the midfield in front of a back 3 with 2 very attacking wingbacks.

 

[kiristao]

when did we become a 1 man team , we have a good squad of players and without Pogba we are a good team more than capable of beating any team, Yes Pogba makes us better, but some are acting like we have no chance without him.

I agree. If we cant beat those teams (bar Liverpool) without Pogba, than what is the use of such a big squad.