I don't think we stayed away from him due to his height. If height was such a concern in midfield then we wouldn't have signed Ugarte and on top of that he is a limited player in-possession.
I've seen you mention Kone a few times, how likely do you see him breaking into the first team next season.
His chances would improve with a proper midfielder next to him who can both defend and pass the ball forward. I think Kone is a very talented midfielder for his age and he's someone who can develop into the deep roaming playmaker that we really do lack in the team with the exception of Kobbie Mainoo. You can never have enough of these types of midfielders and for us to progress as a team we need these players to be prioritised and hence pushed into the team.
I agreed with ten Hag regarding the need for more pace and power in midfield. But that pace and power has to be accompanied by players who can also maintain a level of ball retention along with the ability to pass the ball forward at a good level. It doesn't even have to be a Carrick, Rodri or Kroos but rather players like Henderson and Wilnajdum who were so effective in the Liverpool team where they formed a midfield composition that won all the big trophies. All of our rivals have players who have the ability to at the very least progress the ball forward from deeper midfield. And then those same players also contribute towards creating a strong rest defense where the opponent finds it difficult to transition quickly against them.
Yeah you could be right on that, wonder if Luiz is still a loan opportunity because has gone quiet
There are few things worse than a composite statistical measure that is unexplained and used in isolation. I note that Harry Winks is fourth. A player who could not hold down a regular starting spot at Leicester. I quite like Andre though.
Yeah, it’s a very weird specific one - never heard it before. Feels like the original tweet just wanted something to show Andre was top of the table at. As you say — some of the names high up that list don’t strike me as top level passers.
Agreed 100%.
I think Juventus will probably keep him as they will want a new coach to assess him first. Koopmeiners hasn't been pulling up trees in a Juve Shirt so unless they get a massive bid for Luiz, they will need him as cover at the minimum.
Lets hope we are smarter than that. Impulsive reactions for one-off events should hopefully be a thing of the past
Useful to keep if we get Champions League
Well if done correctly then a new 2 year contract with much lower wage to replace his extortionate current contract could be useful
Amorim isn't a fool, of course he will appreciate good form and will give playing time to those who are in good form. Not like there is large competiton for places in that area anyways. But going into the future, we shouldn't just look for good form at the end of a season. Casemiro has done well against Athletic. Especially so after they went down to 10 men. He was also important against Lyon, but was also on the pitch when we conceded 4 against them, 2 of them against 10 men.
Nice, lets have him and Maguire as useful players for our CL run then - on a nice 500k per week. Do you think thats the way to get the squad in order and the recruitment right?
Whats so funny mate - is a few decent matches towards the end of the season not "one off"?”One off”
I’m with golden here, offer him 2 years on a much more reasonable wage for his age, let him mentor this team.
Giggs played his whole career at United. See your point but don't think the comparison is really apt.
No doubt. But Fergie was also competing in all comps and was the chipleader able to afford a big squad in most of his time here. That doesn't apply to the same degree anymore. I see your point, experience is important, Casemiros winning mentality surely is as well, but I wouldn't pay as much money for it. Next objective has to be to become a functional team again, winning mentality is important as soon as you play for trophies but I'd say athleticism, football IQ, tactical discipline and above average technique are more feasable and important traits right now.
I also think we need at least two midfielders (with or without Cas), best case scenario both in starting eleven quality. Given the names we are in contact with right I struggle to see us bringing in two, but that certainly wouldn't lead me to stick to Casemiro who is on big wages. There were enough games this season, that showed that his mobility is maybe on the lower end of PL midfielders - sure, we could try to mitigate for that - the question is how are we going to do it? And is this really worth it? I'd rather bring in a younger player, see if he can fight for a place and then after a year or two look to either sell and go for a bigger budget solution or be happy about a new starter or at least rotational player bought as a young player.
You miss my point. For all the celebrations about the very good results and in part also performances in the last EL games, it isn't as if we played perfect football. Doesn't take anything away from Casemiro and no doubt, his form is on the up and I would play him as well but as soon as this drips into thinking we should extent contracts then my deadwood alarms go off.
Whats the matter with you and getting personal? (rhetorical question, I'd appreciate if you could spare me that stuff. Don't want to produce work for the mods)
I kind of doubt it. Giggs is seen as a legend by a lot of United players, I'd say that influenced that decision or the perception certainly. But unable to proof it obviously. Iirc though, I think, the majority of fans were yelling out for midfield improvements back then.
Yeah moving on our only quality midfielder is a recipe for disaster. Never mind the fact that he is also a top character in a squad lacking such characters.”One off”
I’m with golden here, offer him 2 years on a much more reasonable wage for his age, let him mentor this team.
Fernandes at the right price is an interesting option for sure. However, I still have a feeling Mainoo’s future lies deeper in this system, and we also have Sekou Kone coming through who is a great ball carrier too.
I really like Casemiro and as a player I'd like to keep him another year except.... his wages are insane. Based on his salary alone we should be trying to move him on.
Fergie shipped out more than a few players regarded as legends by United fans over the years, if he thought Giggs was useful to have around then that's the only reason he was given a contract, being a legend in the fans eyes wouldn't have mattered
