Strootman or Fellaini?

[Siorac]

So, in this thread: out of Strootman or Fellaini we should choose Ronaldo and Michael Carrick is the problem with our midfield.

Okay then.

 

[ciderman9000000]

For me the entire problem is that we play Carrick who like Alonso and Gerrard is incredibly hard to find a partner to who will make the midfield dominate Europe. Bayern did the right thing when they went for 2 hard-working box-to-box players instead of a deep lying play maker and a box-to-box.

As long as we play Carrick it will not matter who we buy as we will still not reach the level we want. Carrick/Gerrard/Alonso do not have the legs to be part of a 4-2-3-1 which Madrid has shown the difficulty of. Mourinho got the budget to choose any player in the world to partner Alonso and still the level they reached wasn't very high in terms of central midfields. Bayern did much better who went for two more similar players, stronger defensively but lacking that huge range of passing which Alonso/Carrick/Gerrard has.

I think we should look to create a midfield trio based around Kagawa and what he needs to prosper rather than Carrick. I think Cleverley is the perfect partner which has been seen when they play together. But we do need another midfielder who also loves 1 touch football or we will always only have 2/3 who want to play the same style.

Think about how well Kagawa and Cleverley fair together, very accurate passing, very hard to get the ball from. Imagine if there was another one with the legs to make it work in there. I think mimicing Barcelona will do us better than trying to mimic Madrid as we already have 2 very fine midfielders in the possession style but only one, old player, in the "direct" style.

I think a central midfield trio like that would benefit us more as a team even defensively from the possession we would have and it would have its obvious strengths offensively.

To my eye, the solution is really simple: bring in Ronaldo.

If we can assume we'll have a healthy Vidic for most of the season, we're going to keep a shitload of clean sheets. That's just the way it is. So I'm not into going after a shit-kicking midfielder right now, although if Bayern put Schweinsteiger up for sale (which they never well), I'd open up the checkbook for him immediately. And on those days when we do need a negative specialist to grind down an attacking threat, I'm happy to throw Jones into the lion's den. Bizarre facial expressions aside, he's actually done a pretty job in midfield.

Do this, as costly as it will be, and we'll haul in the prem trophy next season in a cakewalk and make it to the semifinal of the CL:

Carrick
Valencia/Kagawa/Ronaldo
Rooney/RvP

This assumes Nani has left us. If he stays, he and Valencia can compete for the right mid spot. Cleverley is more than an able understudy for Kagawa. Ronald is pretty decent. Hernandez and Welbeck ain't so bad. Young is a decent squad man. Depth is not our problem...our problem is the lack of a reliable executioner beside RvP. That reliable executioner needs to be Ronaldo.

The objection to this, one supposes, is that we might be a little soft in the middle of the pitch with Carrick and Kagawa and that would be a reasonable concern. But I'm going to go back to my assessment that Vidic is a monster. De Gea is on the verge of greatness. And I'm going to stand by my assertion previously that Valencia does a very good job defensively.

If Moyes thinks it can work, perhaps have Roo sit back as a true central mid and push Kagawa up. That would solve the "softness" concern, but I just don't know if Roo has the fitness level to pull this off. Maybe it doesn't matter as we wouldn't need Roo to run box to box against most clubs and he can save himself for the big matches.

So I just wouldn't bother with Fellaini. He deserves to be starting on a regular basis but I don't see him being the right fit for United unless he's happy to be a squad man. Strootman probably would be happy to be a squad man, so I wouldn't object to bringing him in to learn the trade in the English prem as Carrick's engine begins to slow down. But neither should be the immediate focus.

wankers

 

[Ruud10]

So, in this thread: out of Strootman or Fellaini we should choose Ronaldo and Michael Carrick is the problem with our midfield.

Okay then.

Exactly.

If there's even a sniff of a chance we can haul in Ronaldo why the fukk would we waste our time with Fellaini or Strootman? The thread even completely misses the point of where we fell apart this season -- which was on the wings. Valencia was dire until the very last 2-3 games of the season and the less said about Nani and Young, the better.

And unless you're prepared to bench Kagawa and/or Carrick, why are we even having a discussion about Fellaini, who's wildly overrated and would fit better at West Ham than at United? I have no problem with Strootman but he's hardly proven in the English prem.

And we're going to insist on a central midfielder, the type of mid we should be looking at is Modric, not Fellaini. Fellaini is a fantastic box crasher on crosses but he's not the type of mid who can control the middle third and deliver that fantastic final ball.

IMHO we're very close to being a CL winning side -- but Fellaini or Strootman are not the type of player who would get us closer. At best, they'd be competent squad men. We've got plenty of solid squad men but to get to where we need, or at least want, to be we need to do much better than either of those two. Someone of the pedigree of RvP. Ronaldo comes to mind.

 

[The Neviller]

I've never seen Strootman play, but as far as I can see he isn't a big, dirty, useless, pointy elbowed, curly-haired feck, so him.

 

[a_devil_inside]

I haven't seen Strootman play but I don't fancy Fellaini at United

 

[The Neviller]

Exactly.

If there's even a sniff of a chance we can haul in Ronaldo why the fukk would we waste our time with Fellaini or Strootman? The thread even completely misses the point of where we fell apart this season -- which was on the wings. Valencia was dire until the very last 2-3 games of the season and the less said about Nani and Young, the better.

And unless you're prepared to bench Kagawa and/or Carrick, why are we even having a discussion about Fellaini, who's wildly overrated and would fit better at West Ham than at United? I have no problem with Strootman but he's hardly proven in the English prem.

And we're going to insist on a central midfielder, the type of mid we should be looking at is Modric, not Fellaini. Fellaini is a fantastic box crasher on crosses but he's not the type of mid who can control the middle third and deliver that fantastic final ball.

IMHO we're very close to being a CL winning side -- but Fellaini or Strootman are not the type of player who would get us closer. At best, they'd be competent squad men. We've got plenty of solid squad men but to get to where we need, or at least want, to be we need to do much better than either of those two. Someone of the pedigree of RvP. Ronaldo comes to mind.

I've no fukking clue what the fukk you're on most of the fukking time.

 

[Cina]

In my eyes, the solution, is it simple. We bring in Messi.

How, I hear the common caftard ask, does one accomplish this? Easy, we ride to the sunset, we float, we dither, we defy the logic of all mankind. Will Nani leave? Mayhaps, however, I do pray tell thee that in Young, Cleverley, Anderson, we do have all we need.

The objection to this, one supposes (one being not me, or you, yet something, somewhere), would be what happens in the middle of the park, Park, Ji Sung Park, let's bring him back, shall we? yes, forsooth, I've figured this out.

In short, at the end, Strootman or Faillaini? Nay. Messi. Ruud10, life. What the fukk did I just post?

 

[Devil may care]

What about that lad Sergio Canales?

I've barely seen anything of Strootman but I've seen enough of Fellaini to know I don't want him here, so in an either/or scenario I'll go with the shot in the dark, Strootman.

In my eyes, the solution, is it simple. We bring in Messi.

How, I hear the common caftard ask, does one accomplish this? Easy, we ride to the sunset, we float, we dither, we defy the logic of all mankind. Will Nani leave? Mayhaps, however, I do pray tell thee that in Young, Cleverley, Anderson, we do have all we need.

The objection to this, one supposes (one being not me, or you, yet something, somewhere), would be what happens in the middle of the park, Park, Ji Sung Park, let's bring him back, shall we? yes, forsooth, I've figured this out.

In short, at the end, Strootman or Faillaini? Nay. Messi. Ruud10, life. What the fukk did I just post?

You made me spit my drink out you bastard!

 

[Sonny1972]

Strootman will play for Holland under 21 next month at the EC in Israel.

 

[TheGame]

In my eyes, the solution, is it simple. We bring in Messi.

How, I hear the common caftard ask, does one accomplish this? Easy, we ride to the sunset, we float, we dither, we defy the logic of all mankind. Will Nani leave? Mayhaps, however, I do pray tell thee that in Young, Cleverley, Anderson, we do have all we need.

The objection to this, one supposes (one being not me, or you, yet something, somewhere), would be what happens in the middle of the park, Park, Ji Sung Park, let's bring him back, shall we? yes, forsooth, I've figured this out.

In short, at the end, Strootman or Faillaini? Nay. Messi. Ruud10, life. What the fukk did I just post?

The post of the year award is sealed.

 

[TheGame]

Strootman will play for Holland under 21 next month at the EC in Israel.

Isn't he also the main team's vice captain.

 

[Brophs]

In my eyes, the solution, is it simple. We bring in Messi.

How, I hear the common caftard ask, does one accomplish this? Easy, we ride to the sunset, we float, we dither, we defy the logic of all mankind. Will Nani leave? Mayhaps, however, I do pray tell thee that in Young, Cleverley, Anderson, we do have all we need.

The objection to this, one supposes (one being not me, or you, yet something, somewhere), would be what happens in the middle of the park, Park, Ji Sung Park, let's bring him back, shall we? yes, forsooth, I've figured this out.

In short, at the end, Strootman or Faillaini? Nay. Messi. Ruud10, life. What the fukk did I just post?

 

[Brophs]

The thread even completely misses the point of where we fell apart this season -- which was on the wings.

The point of the thread is "Fellaini or Strootman?" If your answer to that very limited question is "Buy Ronaldo" then I'm afraid it's not the thread that has missed the point.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Superb post Cina

Also, i've read that post from Annahnomoss twice now... it's quite incredible.

 

[londonredmaniac]

Exactly.

If there's even a sniff of a chance we can haul in Ronaldo why the fukk would we waste our time with Fellaini or Strootman? The thread even completely misses the point of where we fell apart this season -- which was on the wings. Valencia was dire until the very last 2-3 games of the season and the less said about Nani and Young, the better.

And unless you're prepared to bench Kagawa and/or Carrick, why are we even having a discussion about Fellaini, who's wildly overrated and would fit better at West Ham than at United? I have no problem with Strootman but he's hardly proven in the English prem.

And we're going to insist on a central midfielder, the type of mid we should be looking at is Modric, not Fellaini. Fellaini is a fantastic box crasher on crosses but he's not the type of mid who can control the middle third and deliver that fantastic final ball.

IMHO we're very close to being a CL winning side -- but Fellaini or Strootman are not the type of player who would get us closer. At best, they'd be competent squad men. We've got plenty of solid squad men but to get to where we need, or at least want, to be we need to do much better than either of those two. Someone of the pedigree of RvP. Ronaldo comes to mind.

erm....righto.

W
T
F
?

 

[londonredmaniac]

In my eyes, the solution, is it simple. We bring in Messi.

How, I hear the common caftard ask, does one accomplish this? Easy, we ride to the sunset, we float, we dither, we defy the logic of all mankind. Will Nani leave? Mayhaps, however, I do pray tell thee that in Young, Cleverley, Anderson, we do have all we need.

The objection to this, one supposes (one being not me, or you, yet something, somewhere), would be what happens in the middle of the park, Park, Ji Sung Park, let's bring him back, shall we? yes, forsooth, I've figured this out.

In short, at the end, Strootman or Faillaini? Nay. Messi. Ruud10, life. What the fukk did I just post?

 

[Siorac]

In my eyes, the solution, is it simple. We bring in Messi.

How, I hear the common caftard ask, does one accomplish this? Easy, we ride to the sunset, we float, we dither, we defy the logic of all mankind. Will Nani leave? Mayhaps, however, I do pray tell thee that in Young, Cleverley, Anderson, we do have all we need.

The objection to this, one supposes (one being not me, or you, yet something, somewhere), would be what happens in the middle of the park, Park, Ji Sung Park, let's bring him back, shall we? yes, forsooth, I've figured this out.

In short, at the end, Strootman or Faillaini? Nay. Messi. Ruud10, life. What the fukk did I just post?

Perfect

 

[mufcwarm92]

That formation with Carrick as the lone midfielder is a terrible thought

 

[Ronaldo's Mum Eh?]

No. 1) we can't afford them 2) they wouldn't want to come here 3) of they happened to be available the voltures that are Chelsea, City and PSG would eat us alive. Which is why we better going for James Mc Carthey's.

Now stop asking stupid questions.

You're the one saying stupid things.

We're arguably the biggest club in the world. If we pursue heavily, we can get most of our targets.

 

[Ruud10]

The point of the thread is "Fellaini or Strootman?" If your answer to that very limited question is "Buy Ronaldo" then I'm afraid it's not the thread that has missed the point.

Don't be an idiot, Bro. Asking the question "Fellaini or Strootman" is a ridiculous. Neither will get us closer to lifting a CL trophy next season, the failure of which has to be the sole disappointment this season. Fellaini had a great game against us back in August, but is he anywhere near the quality of player we need to take the next step up next season? Of course. If so, we might as well be debating whether to bring in Joe Allen or Lewis Holtby. If have no quarrel with either player, but neither would do much for our CL aspirations either, right?

So who are we supposed to bench if we bring in such amazing footballers as Fellaini or Strootman -- Kagawa? Carrick? Rooney? If that's the thinking then let's have that discussion first, then go to their potential replacements. If that's not the thinking and that we're really focused on adding depth to the squad, the problem with that thinking is that squad depth isn't what wins you CL trophies.

But if we want to spin our wheels with more squad players, so be it.

 

[Cina]

Yeah, don't be an idiot, Bro(phs).

 

[Brophs]

Don't be an idiot, Bro. Asking the question "Fellaini or Strootman" is a ridiculous. Neither will get us closer to lifting a CL trophy next season, the failure of which has to be the sole disappointment this season. Fellaini had a great game against us back in August, but is he anywhere near the quality of player we need to take the next step up next season? Of course. If so, we might as well be debating whether to bring in Joe Allen or Lewis Holtby. If have no quarrel with either player, but neither would do much for our CL aspirations either, right?

So who are we supposed to bench if we bring in such amazing footballers as Fellaini or Strootman -- Kagawa? Carrick? Rooney? If that's the thinking then let's have that discussion first, then go to their potential replacements. If that's not the thinking and that we're really focused on adding depth to the squad, the problem with that thinking is that squad depth isn't what wins you CL trophies.

But if we want to spin our wheels with more squad players, so be it.

What the roaring feck are you on about?

 

[Rado_N]

 

[Annihilate Now!]

I think what we've learnt is, the answer to any question is always Ronaldo. Would you rather have Alba or Coentrao? Ronaldo. Your favourite South African is? Ronaldo. Do you want any salad with that? Ronaldo.

 

[Rowem]

So who are we supposed to bench if we bring in such amazing footballers as Fellaini or Strootman -- Kagawa? Carrick? Rooney?

Scholes has just retired, Anderson is likely to be sold. Fellaini would a.) replace them, and b.) be an improvement on playing Giggs or Jones in CM. And I say this as someone who isn't totally against Giggs and Jones in CM on occasion.

Just thought I'd make a sensible reply as you've been getting a lot of shit. But, yeah, you're not really making a whole lot of sense. We can buy both a solid central midfield AND a match-winning winger/forward.

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

Brophs, why you be the idiotic?

 

[Cina]

I think what we've learnt is, the answer to any question is always Ronaldo. Would you rather have Alba or Coentrao? Ronaldo. Your favourite South African is? Ronaldo. Do you want any salad with that? Ronaldo.

I'm surprised Ruud isn't in the Steele and Phelan thread right now arguing that them leaving is a blessing in disguise because it unleashes the hidden opportunity to somehow, unfathomably sign Ronaldo back.

 

[Sonny1972]

There are rumours United want Adam Maher .

 

[Ekeke]

Strootman's popularity is at an all-time low on the caf. He will rise again as surely as the tide will come in.

He just got a thread about him based almost entirely on a youtube video

 

[Rowem]

He's no Ever Banega, that's for certain.

 

[Isotope]

For any of you amateur scouts, I have link to website where you can watch full games of recent Netherlands WQ qualifier. You can watch van Persie in action, too (which what I did).

Might warn you, the games are far away from CL semifinal quality/excitement.

 

[peterstorey]

He's no Ever Banega, that's for certain.

 

[Shark]

Scholes has just retired, Anderson is likely to be sold. Fellaini would a.) replace them, and b.) be an improvement on playing Giggs or Jones in CM. And I say this as someone who isn't totally against Giggs and Jones in CM on occasion.

Just thought I'd make a sensible reply as you've been getting a lot of shit. But, yeah, you're not really making a whole lot of sense. We can buy both a solid central midfield AND a match-winning winger/forward.

Does he ever really make sense? I honestly struggle to ever make sense of his posts, not a single one.

 

[KM]

In my eyes, the solution, is it simple. We bring in Messi.

How, I hear the common caftard ask, does one accomplish this? Easy, we ride to the sunset, we float, we dither, we defy the logic of all mankind. Will Nani leave? Mayhaps, however, I do pray tell thee that in Young, Cleverley, Anderson, we do have all we need.

The objection to this, one supposes (one being not me, or you, yet something, somewhere), would be what happens in the middle of the park, Park, Ji Sung Park, let's bring him back, shall we? yes, forsooth, I've figured this out.

In short, at the end, Strootman or Faillaini? Nay. Messi. Ruud10, life. What the fukk did I just post?

 

[yamo123x]

Fellaini proven in premier league and our team
Needs some physical presence, he may not be technically great but he is a real asset offensively and defensively is versatile and a goalscorer.

Would be happy with Fellaini bale and a left back.

 

[Carl]

For me the entire problem is that we play Carrick who like Alonso and Gerrard is incredibly hard to find a partner to who will make the midfield dominate Europe. Bayern did the right thing when they went for 2 hard-working box-to-box players instead of a deep lying play maker and a box-to-box.

As long as we play Carrick it will not matter who we buy as we will still not reach the level we want. Carrick/Gerrard/Alonso do not have the legs to be part of a 4-2-3-1 which Madrid has shown the difficulty of. Mourinho got the budget to choose any player in the world to partner Alonso and still the level they reached wasn't very high in terms of central midfields. Bayern did much better who went for two more similar players, stronger defensively but lacking that huge range of passing which Alonso/Carrick/Gerrard has.

I think we should look to create a midfield trio based around Kagawa and what he needs to prosper rather than Carrick. I think Cleverley is the perfect partner which has been seen when they play together. But we do need another midfielder who also loves 1 touch football or we will always only have 2/3 who want to play the same style.

Think about how well Kagawa and Cleverley fair together, very accurate passing, very hard to get the ball from. Imagine if there was another one with the legs to make it work in there. I think mimicing Barcelona will do us better than trying to mimic Madrid as we already have 2 very fine midfielders in the possession style but only one, old player, in the "direct" style.

I think a central midfield trio like that would benefit us more as a team even defensively from the possession we would have and it would have its obvious strengths offensively.

I'm confused. Is this one of those parody posts?

 

[Ruud10]

What the roaring feck are you on about?

Just having fun with your nickname, Bro. No malice intended.

Seriously, why are are even having this debate? If Moyes wants Fellaini, he's not going go in for Strootman, is he? So, it's Fellaini hands down over Strootman, if that's the question. I suspect most of us have seen Fellaini much, much more than we've seen of Strootman, so it would difficult to come up with a reasonable assessment of both.

Fellaini is wildly overrated here, which is understandable as he had that one great game against us. Is he worth the 24m that is the reported fee it would take to bring him in? And who does he dislodge from the starting XI? Kagawa is the most likely victim of Fellaini coming on board and Fellaini has nowhere near the ability on the ball or the vision of Kagawa, though Fellaini is without any question a beast on crosses -- basically, an Andy Carroll on steroids.

But it's not my money. We've had expensive busts before -- Berbatov in particular comes to mind. And we'll have expensive busts again.

 

[Jacob]

Who the feck is Strootman? His name alone annoys me and the fact that his admirers haven't seen him play. Fellaini no doubt.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Who the feck is Strootman? His name alone annoys me and the fact that his admirers haven't seen him play. Fellaini no doubt.

Oi, I'll have you know he develops a rating of 19 in passing on football manager. It's settled, he is the chosen one. Fellaini and his 15 rating can continue growing his afro elsewhere.

Strootman. Amazing. Seen him play once for 5 minutes in an international friendly. Did nothing. Best prospect since Lucas Moura who I never saw.

 

[MDFC Manager]

Just having fun with your nickname, Bro. No malice intended.

Seriously, why are are even having this debate? If Moyes wants Fellaini, he's not going go in for Strootman, is he? So, it's Fellaini hands down over Strootman, if that's the question. I suspect most of us have seen Fellaini much, much more than we've seen of Strootman, so it would difficult to come up with a reasonable assessment of both.

Fellaini is wildly overrated here, which is understandable as he had that one great game against us. Is he worth the 24m that is the reported fee it would take to bring him in? And who does he dislodge from the starting XI? Kagawa is the most likely victim of Fellaini coming on board and Fellaini has nowhere near the ability on the ball or the vision of Kagawa, though Fellaini is without any question a beast on crosses -- basically, an Andy Carroll on steroids.

But it's not my money. We've had expensive busts before -- Berbatov in particular comes to mind. And we'll have expensive busts again.

Hardly! I'd say the majority would rather not go for him.