[golden_blunder]

I don't think we need to look at stats to know how important full backs are in the attacking part of the game. A full back can contribute greatly to an attack and be involved heavily in a goal but not receive an assist for it. This would do the player injustice from a statistical point of view. But you can clearly see AWB is very awkward when it comes to the attacking third or even controlling the ball in tight difficult situations which is often the case in the final 3rd. He really does need to imrove this side massively if he's going to excel at the top level.

stats are important for context. What gets measured gets managed.

I’ve literally seen the lad dribble out of tight spots where he’s surrounded, multiple times. I think this accusation is not accurate.

a more accurate criticism would be that he lacks imagination going forward, instead taking the easy option or pass backwards.

I look forward to RRs work with the fullbacks and his judgement.

 

[honirelandboy]

Last season ONLY Liverpool had a fullback pairing that created more goals

now I don’t know what’s happened this year but last year disagrees with your post

I wouldn't look too much into last season with Covid , empty stadiums, Liverpool no center backs, Chelsea resurgence etc What has been the problem for numerous years I'd be looking at.

Fred/AWB/Scott/Shaw are not good enough for United if you want to win the league and numerous seasons has shown that.

There grand if your happy but to get top four but to challenge for the league and champions league they need to be benched and better players brought in.

They are not Manchester United Starting level and never will be.Grand squad players to have.

 

[Chief123]

stats are important for context. What gets measured gets managed.

I’ve literally seen the lad dribble out of tight spots where he’s surrounded, multiple times. I think this accusation is not accurate.

a more accurate criticism would be that he lacks imagination going forward, instead taking the easy option or pass backwards.

I look forward to RRs work with the fullbacks and his judgement.

I agree, I guess my criticism was inaccurate. Because as you said, I have also seen him wriggle out of tight situations quite well and often to my surprise. But yes you’re right in that he lacks creativity or a meaningful threat in the final third. However, we also don’t know how much this lack of threat was due to manager instructions. I remember when we had similar criticisms under LVG where our full backs and wingers would refuse to cross the ball. But later it transpired it was due to managers instructions of keeping the ball at all costs and continuously rotating the ball until a clear opening appeared.

Anyhow, I am hopeful RR can get the best out of him. I do think he can excel in the high intensity pressing side of the game RR likes to play.

 

[Revaulx]

That was a poor year though. He was decent but won it because of the lack of competition. Think he said as much himself.

True. Not “horrendous” though

Like a few others I'm still not convinced he's fit.

That became one of Ole's big problems. There was a stage we looked in good shape, we looked fitter than other teams in the latter part of games.

But towards the end it looks to me at least that AWB and a few others just aren't putting in the yards off the pitch. Or aren't looking after themselves at least.

AWB, Shaw, Rashford, Martial, Pogba and maybe Sancho this season.

I don’t think Sancho should be on that list, but otherwise I agree. I’m not sure the fitness issues that Ole rightly highlighted in his first season have ever really been fixed, even briefly, and I’m not sure where the cause lies. Medical staff not good enough? Medical staff overruled by manager insisting unfit players are available for selection? Or just a lax culture overall? There are already indications that the current interim regime won’t be letting the second of these happen, and it’s to be hoped that the cultural reset needed to eliminate the third actually takes place this time.

 

[harms]

If he is lost what can we say about Shaw?

Shaw has shown that he has the required technical ability to do what's required from a fullback in Ralf's set up — what he lacks is 1. consistency 2. intensity (that is something that he had been missing even at his top form). Still, those are the things that he can realistically can get better at — assuming that he won't remain horrendously out of form forever.

The issue with Wan-Bissaka is that he lacks a lot of the basics and whatever technical skills people are managing to scope up in their attempts to defend him, those are not enough for a fullback in Rangnick's 4-2-2-2 with a narrow front line. He also lacks in positioning & intensity but those are the things that can be improved significantly by coaching, at least in theory. I mean, look at Walker, who was nothing special at Spurs aside from his brilliant athleticism & decent technique (but nothing outstanding) but transformed into one of City's most consistent performers over the past few years.

 

[JeffFromHK]

Both him and Smalling have weird body movements when the ball is under their feet. As a spectator it does not give me confidence.

he also seems to be unable to make any accurate 40 yards+ passes.

 

[harms]

I’ve literally seen the lad dribble out of tight spots where he’s surrounded, multiple times. I think this accusation is not accurate.

The question is, what is the standard that we're supposedly judging him by? Every professional footballer who plays in the Premier League is more than capable of dribbling out of tight spots occasionally — Jones, Maguire, Fellaini, Wan-Bissaka, Huth, Cahill etc.

The best estimation of Wan-Bissaka's attacking ability would be the reaction of the opposition — teams regularly leaved him unmarked for the entirety of some games, preferring to double down on Bruno/Rashford/Shaw etc., assuming that the benefit drastically outweighs the risk (which leads to Wan-Bissaka's somewhat inflated assist/key passes stats).

 

[Ekeke]

The question is, what is the standard that we're supposedly judging him by? Every professional footballer who plays in the Premier League is more than capable of dribbling out of tight spots occasionally — Jones, Maguire, Fellaini, Wan-Bissaka, Huth, Cahill etc.

The best estimation of Wan-Bissaka's attacking ability would be the reaction of the opposition — teams regularly leaved him unmarked for the entirety of some games, preferring to double down on Bruno/Rashford/Shaw etc., assuming that the benefit drastically outweighs the risk (which leads to Wan-Bissaka's somewhat inflated assist/key passes stats).

Can you name a single game where he was left completely unmarked for 90 mins?

 

[harms]

Can you name a single game where he was left completely unmarked for 90 mins?

I'll try to find a good article about it with examples, there was one from last season somewhere.

 

[golden_blunder]

The question is, what is the standard that we're supposedly judging him by? Every professional footballer who plays in the Premier League is more than capable of dribbling out of tight spots occasionally — Jones, Maguire, Fellaini, Wan-Bissaka, Huth, Cahill etc.

The best estimation of Wan-Bissaka's attacking ability would be the reaction of the opposition — teams regularly leaved him unmarked for the entirety of some games, preferring to double down on Bruno/Rashford/Shaw etc., assuming that the benefit drastically outweighs the risk (which leads to Wan-Bissaka's somewhat inflated assist/key passes stats).

I’m just saying that i think that some of the criticisms laid at him are inaccurate or simply not true.

what is true is that he seems to be regressing or at best horribly out of form this season. Let’s hope that RR can figure that one out and get him on the fast route to development

 

[Adam-Utd]

I really don't think his offensive play is as bad as people make out. He just needs to get his head up a bit more and pick out a pass rather than whack it into the box.

The biggest issue for me is his defensive positioning and his poor aerial ability. I do think though with good 'brain training' he could improve massively.

He almost reminds me of a defensive Raheem Sterling, and we all saw the improvements he made under Pep.

 

[SAFMUTD]

I dont think he can improve up to the point to become an attacking force, like TAA or Reece James. But under proper coaching I think he can become a string below that.

Looking at the lack of coordinated movement we had under Ole when playing from the back it's no surprise that our defense struggled to go out. Proper movement and easy 1-2 will do wonders for him.

 

[Eckers99]

This sort of ridiculous hyperbole really isn’t helpful.

That said, this current run of poor form is by no means Shaw’s first, and fans have every right to be frustrated by him and question whether it might be better to have a more reliable player as first choice.

My feeling towards him is that he’s a high maintenance player, requiring regular application of equal amounts of carrot cake and bread sticks to keep him on song. I reckon he’s worth the effort; we’ll have to wait and see whether Ralf does.

FTFY

 

[romufc]

I really don't think his offensive play is as bad as people make out. He just needs to get his head up a bit more and pick out a pass rather than whack it into the box.

The biggest issue for me is his defensive positioning and his poor aerial ability. I do think though with good 'brain training' he could improve massively.

He almost reminds me of a defensive Raheem Sterling, and we all saw the improvements he made under Pep.

Its not just offensive play though, when people mention offensive play, it includes his general gameplay.

I saw Dalot receive a long pass from DDG and played it to Sancho, AWB most likely miscontrols it or comes back to Lindelof.

The passes that Dalot has made, AWB cant even see the passes.

I dont think he has the vision or ability to pull of those passes and we have been very patient with AWB.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Its not just offensive play though, when people mention offensive play, it includes his general gameplay.

I saw Dalot receive a long pass from DDG and played it to Sancho, AWB most likely miscontrols it or comes back to Lindelof.

The passes that Dalot has made, AWB cant even see the passes.

I dont think he has the vision or ability to pull of those passes and we have been very patient with AWB.

Agreed on the passing ability, some of those long balls Dalot pulled off were fantastic.

Obviously he'd never be able to do that, but he isn't a bad crosser and is good at getting down the line 1v1 and putting a ball in.

I think back to the goal Martial scored at Chelsea last year - if he could do that more often we'd have no issues.

 

[romufc]

Agreed on the passing ability, some of those long balls Dalot pulled off were fantastic.

Obviously he'd never be able to do that, but he isn't a bad crosser and is good at getting down the line 1v1 and putting a ball in.

I think back to the goal Martial scored at Chelsea last year - if he could do that more often we'd have no issues.

I get he can put a cross in, but lets be honest we are pointing to a few moments and clutching to them.

If we want to compete against the best, we need to match them, AWB this season has looked worse than Trent defensively, which is not something I thought I'd be saying.

When you have a player that loses alot of possession or struggles to beat the press, it makes fans and the team nervy, encourages the opponents.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I get he can put a cross in, but lets be honest we are pointing to a few moments and clutching to them.

If we want to compete against the best, we need to match them, AWB this season has looked worse than Trent defensively, which is not something I thought I'd be saying.

When you have a player that loses alot of possession or struggles to beat the press, it makes fans and the team nervy, encourages the opponents.

I wouldn't say he struggles to beat a press either. A lot of times he manages to get passed his man 1v1 or dribble out of tight areas.

His biggest flaws are decision making and concentration.

Maybe a lack of competition has hurt him also? we've had such a lack of good RB cover he's had it easy, standards have slipped. Now that Dalot is looking in good form and pushing, he will need to step up.

It'll be interesting to see who gets the nod against Norwich.

 

[Marwood]

True. Not “horrendous” though
I don’t think Sancho should be on that list, but otherwise I agree. I’m not sure the fitness issues that Ole rightly highlighted in his first season have ever really been fixed, even briefly, and I’m not sure where the cause lies. Medical staff not good enough? Medical staff overruled by manager insisting unfit players are available for selection? Or just a lax culture overall? There are already indications that the current interim regime won’t be letting the second of these happen, and it’s to be hoped that the cultural reset needed to eliminate the third actually takes place this time.

I always think no matter how many sports scientists you have it's down to the individual. They have to put it in, they have to live properly for the 20hrs a day they're not at the training ground.

But when there's an otherwise inexplicable drop in performance I tend to think fitness.

Is AWB as physical as he was last two seasons. Feels to me like even the slide tackles have dried up.

 

[RUCK4444]

I wouldn't say he struggles to beat a press either. A lot of times he manages to get passed his man 1v1 or dribble out of tight areas.

His biggest flaws are decision making and concentration.

Maybe a lack of competition has hurt him also? we've had such a lack of good RB cover he's had it easy, standards have slipped. Now that Dalot is looking in good form and pushing, he will need to step up.

It'll be interesting to see who gets the nod against Norwich.

He does this a lot. Plays very tidy one-twos and triangles under pressure with teammates and gets up the pitch.

He get's labelled a donkey unfairly imo. The label has stuck now and people won't see past it.

Imo he's steadily improved going forward, yes sure there is lots of room for improvement but he can get forward and is capable of beating his man. Crossing the ball and chance creation are key for him to improve.

His weakness imo has been positionally but that is coachable and I'm sure, like all the players, they will improve under Ralf's tuition.

 

[Adam-Utd]

He does this a lot. Plays very tidy one-twos and triangles under pressure with teammates and gets up the pitch.

He get's labelled a donkey unfairly imo. The label has stuck now and people won't see past it.

Imo he's steadily improved going forward, yes sure there is lots of room for improvement but he can get forward and is capable of beating his man. Crossing the ball and chance creation are key for him to improve.

His weakness imo has been positionally but that is coachable and I'm sure, like all the players, they will improve under Ralf's tuition.

Yep it's concentration issues and knowing WHEN to attack. He just isn't a natural at it, when to take the ball forward with momentum or when to turn back, when to play a 1-2 etc.

Maybe he won't ever learn it, but with a proper system's coach I think he will get a lot better. Physically he has all the tools, just not the mental side.

 

[Revaulx]

FTFY

 

[RUCK4444]

Yep it's concentration issues and knowing WHEN to attack. He just isn't a natural at it, when to take the ball forward with momentum or when to turn back, when to play a 1-2 etc.

Maybe he won't ever learn it, but with a proper system's coach I think he will get a lot better. Physically he has all the tools, just not the mental side.

Yeah agree, especially the bolded, he's the type of player that needs proper coaching.

 

[Skills]

Agreed on the passing ability, some of those long balls Dalot pulled off were fantastic.

Obviously he'd never be able to do that, but he isn't a bad crosser and is good at getting down the line 1v1 and putting a ball in.

I think back to the goal Martial scored at Chelsea last year - if he could do that more often we'd have no issues.

This is a coaching/tactics thing mostly, but I think he could also be a better player by actually just overlapping more. The way Robertson does - he doesn't have the same quality as Trent on the ball, but he works the overlap so hard and pins the opposition fullback on the other flank.

It's asking a lot though, but he'll need to develop a monstrous stamina to be able to do that.

 

[Adam-Utd]

This is a coaching/tactics thing mostly, but I think he could also be a better player by actually just overlapping more. The way Robertson does - he doesn't have the same quality as Trent on the ball, but he works the overlap so hard and pins the opposition fullback on the other flank.

It's asking a lot though, but he'll need to develop a monstrous stamina to be able to do that.

Agreed, that comes from a natural sense of timing though. He just doesn't understand when to overlap if that makes sense? he's often just standing in the wrong position.

I feel like Ole and the coaches never pulled him up on this sort of stuff. It's like his pressing also, he always used to run out of position way too early and leave a gapping hole in the defence.

I never knew if this was a purposeful tactical decision, or whether it's him just pressing like he was told. Either way it was very odd.

I like him as a player though, he's got a certain niche that not many others have. Maybe he won't be the best player against a parked bus, but against tough 1v1 wingers you can rely on him to do a good job.

 

[roonster09]

The question is, what is the standard that we're supposedly judging him by? Every professional footballer who plays in the Premier League is more than capable of dribbling out of tight spots occasionally — Jones, Maguire, Fellaini, Wan-Bissaka, Huth, Cahill etc.

The best estimation of Wan-Bissaka's attacking ability would be the reaction of the opposition — teams regularly leaved him unmarked for the entirety of some games, preferring to double down on Bruno/Rashford/Shaw etc., assuming that the benefit drastically outweighs the risk (which leads to Wan-Bissaka's somewhat inflated assist/key passes stats).

I agree that PL players are capable of dribbling sometimes but AWB was always among top 3 in dribbles completed (for RBs) since his debut. His passing is poor and he looks awkward on the ball but his dribbling is good.

 

[lex talionis]

Time for AWB to pull up his socks this season.

 

[Ayoba]

Looks like a bad injury, hope he's ok!

 

[Foxbatt]

I hope he is ok.

 

[Rajma]

Absolutely terrible, should be shipped away in the summer. No wonder we’re getting linked with RBs so much since Ralf’s arrivals. Anyone to do with this deal should be sacked really, you could have told from a mile that he doesn’t have even the basics.

 

[Jackal981]

Garbage of a player. Every touch he takes turns into shit. Get him out. He could not even hack it versus Young Boys.

 

[Stobzilla]

Hope he isn't hurt too badly but an absolute shocker from him tonight with his United career in the balance. Wrong mentality and he can be the first one sent to Newcastle.

 

[Based Adnan]

Half asleep for their goal and poor throughout the game. Hopefully the fact he played the full 90 this game means hes a back up option moving forward.

 

[BlahRules]

I still don't understand his reluctance to cross the ball. Always passing it backwards or sideways.

 

[kouroux]

So so lazy. It's incredible he had to fake being seriously hurt because he didn't fancy running back

 

[GE]

Awful shithouse of a player. TERRIBLE performance. Hopefully that clatter at the end sees him out for the season so others can get a crack at RB.

 

[Idxomer]

He's starting to become a hopeless case, he just doesn't belong at that level.

 

[bosnian_red]

He looks to have fecked his knee there at the end.

Regardless of that... was not a good game from him. He can do a lot better... but honestly I think Dalot with the one game has gone ahead of him in the pecking order.

 

[BlackBen]

He’s shite. He’s like the RB version of Tony Martial but without the technical skills and strength.

Newcastle please get your war-chest ready.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Not good on the ball.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

Considering he's lost his place and was under pressure to perform I thought he was fecking awful