Is it safe to say he's the best midfielder in football? He's been absolutely dominant this season & has one of the most aesthetically pleasing games I've ever seen.
Thiago Alcântara | 2016/17 Performances
- Thread starter BlueCelery
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss three 1-1 draws.
The first got us knocked out of the FA Cup, the next puts us in a good position in our Round of 16 Europa League game, and the latest was an actual decent performance against Arsenal at Old Trafford.
All hopes for the season now rest on the Europa League - does Amorim have the squad to win it?
No, it isn't.
Probably the most entertaining midfielder to watch, but I wouldn't say the best.
He is among them, wouldn't say he's the outright leader. Hard to find a better midfielder than Verratti though.
Moyes you fecking idiot!! 
Be grateful, we got Fellainho!Moyes you fecking idiot!!
Modric?
That summer transfer window was a shambles. Remember the whole 'Woody is returning from Australia on urgent transfer business'? Ffs.. We ended up paying more for Fellaini than his release clause anyway. The less things said about that summer the better.
I'd take Verratti over him any day.
What is it with Moyes now? Pep came in, said he wants him, got him. Hardly got shit to do with Moyes or Woodward.
No it wasn't like that. We were about to sign him them Moyes vetoed the deal. Giggs said so.
I'd say it's only this season where he's been among the best. The likes of Modric, Vidal, and Kroos have done it for a longer time.
Love Verrati, but currently I'm not sure he is better. He is much younger though. Modric's dribbling and agility really sets him apart from most midfielders, and then he has that extra grit about him as well.
What? Pretty sure that Pep got appointed, said he wants Alcantara in some presser and shit got down.
I mean, there's plenty of other stuff to throw shit at Moyes for but I doubt failing to sign Thiago is one.
That summer did not exist, mate. What are you on about?
Sorry! It wasn't Moyes. It was Giggs apparently who didn't want Thiago.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01zd7w3
Yeah no probs, something didn't click in there for me. That window was absolute shambles though indeed.
This was weeks after we were faffing about.
This was weeks after we were faffing about.
Faffing around as in English press claimed that we were in for Thiago just like were in for another 100 players including Bale and Ronaldo?
I think technically he's better than Modric and is a better passer. He's not lacking in the grit department as well. Veratti is the only player in the world that can play in the sort of spaces he can.
If you listen to that interview - the whole thing is a fecking joke, anyway! Phil Neville and Ryan Giggs think he's hasn't got the attitude to play for United. Jesus how arrogant could you get? The fella had few injuries, granted, but he's been ripping it up for Munich and I'm sure he'd be doing it here too.
Yeah I just think in general our transfer dealing were amateurish at best. Imagine thinking Thiago isn't a United player? How did Giggs and Neville come to that conclusion?
No doubt that he's a good player, but from what i've seen he still loses some balls in dangerous positions because of risky stuff instead of playing it safe. Furthermore in my view he comes across as a bit too cocky and isn't effective enough to build your team around him. On top of that is his vulnerability to injuries. So i agree with Giggs that Thiago isn't a United type of player. I take Pogba ahead of him any day of the week.
It's pretty much why both of them are currently where they are, as in blessing us with their wisdom on telly rather than picking up some managerial gig
Really? I don't watch Thiago every week, but anytime I've seen him, he's been largely superb. Also, what's wrong with that, nothing wrong with a flair player. I thought Man Utd liked their swashbuckling players?
His defensive contribution is so underrated.
Seeing as it's a hot topic in the Kante/Herrera debates, Thiago's interceptions stat is crazy. Bayern fans, is there any reason why they're so high?
League only;
Kante: 61
Herrera: 67
Thiago: 94
League only;
Kante: 61
Herrera: 67
Thiago: 94
Does anyone see similarities between Thiago and our Pereira?
There's nothing in there that makes that sound remotely credible. There's no corroborating evidence that we ever got that far along with Thiago, it seems incredibly unlikely that Moyes would decide against Thiago purely on Giggs' say-so, and as he's relaying this story from an unknown source it sounds like he's making it up on the spot filled with clichés.
I don't think we were in with a chance when Guardiola came along. Could've been a huge signing for us as he's undoubtedly a world class talent but it's possible he would've had a miserable, injury-hit couple of seasons and then move onwards after. Bayern were in a much more stable position and that no doubt helped get through a difficult settling in period.
From what I remember Graham Hunter was heavily insistent that Thiago was on his way. He was reporting that he agreed wages, so you could say the deal was there in principle, if you choose to believe to Hunter. Something must have happened for us not to sign him as Odna Cero reported that Bayern were going to come in for him one evening and a day later he was pretty much a Bayern player. I would say we were definitely in for him but something went wrong along the lines. Whether it was Giggs, Moyes or Woodward I don't think we will know.
Edit: Completely agree we had no chance once Pep came in for him. Considering their relationship at Barca, but we did have a window of opportunity to sign him, nevertheless.
Seeing as it's a hot topic in the Kante/Herrera debates, Thiago's interceptions stat is crazy. Bayern fans, is there any reason why they're so high?
League only;
Kante: 61
Herrera: 67
Thiago: 94
He's just very good at reading and anticipating the game. Definitely the most pleasant surprise of the season. I was very skeptical whether he could finally live up to his promise before the start of this season, but there's no doubt he's been delivering the goods and then some.
Most naturally talented footballer since Messi.
I've predicted him being the best midfielder in the world when he was just a kid at Barca, and was fuming when we didn't sign him. Saying that, he had 3 relatively difficult years at Bayern, struggling with injuries and form. He is playing the best football of his career this season, and is arguably the best performing midfielder in the world now. I think that he is going to be even better.
Barca made a terrible choice when they chose Cesc instead of him. Alcantara was already the better player back then too.
Barca made a terrible choice when they chose Cesc instead of him. Alcantara was already the better player back then too.
I love Pogba and think that he is great and will become fantastic, but bar being stronger and having a slightly better shoot, Thiago is better than Pogba in pretty much everything. Passing, dribbling, reading the game, defensive contribution are all categories when Thiago is better than Pogba.
FWIW, our current team is completely built around him. There are 3 players we cannot afford to lose without suffering an immediate drop in quality: Neuer, Thiago and Lewandowski.
No. There isn't a clear standout at the moment - Modric and Kroos from Madrid, Verratti, Kante (maybe, although a completely different specimen), Thiago are all around the same level. Even Pogba is not that far behind
Pleased for him though. He was my most sacred muppet dream, Xavi's dominance with Ronaldinho's flair Or at least he seemed that way earlier Fecking Moyes/Giggs if we believe the rumors
Pleased for him though. He was my most sacred muppet dream, Xavi's dominance with Ronaldinho's flair
Or at least he seemed that way earlier Fecking Moyes/Giggs if we believe the rumorsYou quoted me before I had the chance to edit. He is a strange one and a completely different player to them, of course, but he also assures his authority over the game, just using different tools.Eh, what's that woodcutter doing in the same line as the artists you named there?
Maybe it's too early for him to be included as he haven't been tested outside the premier league yet