He might be just filling the bench, could come on for a short time if desperate, but those four games the situations have not been comfortable enough to risk him. I think LvG has become wary of when to bring players back from injury. Especially this the Ander/WBA farce earlier in the season. That might have even made his recovery longer than expected. Hopefully he will get a game against Hull. It might be a good idea to rest a couple of the team now being used, even though they are doing a job, we don't want to risk one of them getting an injury.
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Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 31
- Goals
- 8
- Assists
- 5
- Yellow cards
- 6
- Status
I think that Fellaini's form has meant he deserves his spot, and Blind/Carrick preferred as a DM. I was surprised that Fletcher was brought on an Carrick pushed to CM as Herrera is generally far better at retaining the ball which is what we needed at the time.
I am writing this everywere 
. If they didn't lie about the injury it takes 1-2 months to heal, mostly 6 weaks to 2 months.
. If they didn't lie about the injury it takes 1-2 months to heal, mostly 6 weaks to 2 months.LVG, about a month ago, said something about him needing to adopt physically to the English game or something.
Maybe it's that?! He did take Shaw out for awhile also if you remember
Maybe it's that?! He did take Shaw out for awhile also if you remember
I thought about this but that still frustrates me.
Is that another way of saying he's smashing the gym at the minute?
He might we working on beefing him up a bit. He is not scared of tackling, but he may feel he need to be more muscular, not too much I hope, so he doesn't get knocked off the ball. Funny enough him breaking his rib and depending how he broke it, might be what convinced LvG of this.
I'd assume so.
Either that, or Rooney and co. are beating the shit out of him in training everyday. Toughen him up
Hopefully for the next game we see something like:
De gea
Back 4
Carrick
Herrera Fellaini
Di maria Rooney Mata
With the front 3 drifting and interchanging as they did today. Get's Di Maria relatively central like he was today, and has Herrera in there as well as Fellaini as he deserves to stay in the lineup. The problem is really playing 2 strikers currently IMO. Put Rooney as the main focal point and we'd be better off for it I think.Back 4
Carrick
Herrera Fellaini
Di maria Rooney Mata
Ander might be one of these players who needs a season to get used to the physicality of the league. It can be difficult coming to a league where a lot of teams have pub players whose only job in life is to send you into row Z.
I think that would be fine, with Carrick and Fellaini giving a bit of strength in midfield and Ander giving the energy and intelligence.
Touch dramatic, no? Why don't we wait until the end of the season before starting the doomsday prophecies.
Why isn't he playing? I am actually baffled as to why he doesn't even get subbed on anymore. He's our best proper central midfielder.
How can you possibly know that? He played something like 5 games for us.
Blind hadnt played many more and that was the popular belief? I could tell you right now Vidal after 90 seconds could be called that also....
Because he is.
Yes because Vidal has been instrumental for a top European team over a number of seasons. Herrera played for a second tier team and no top team showed any interest in him bar us. He has loads of potential and might turn out to be a wonderful player but this is simply way too premature especially when we have Carrick who has been a mainstay for a team that won 5 titles and a CL medal.
He has not good a look recently and has not even been brought as a substitute. Even Fletcher seems to be ahead of him now which is ridiculous, and it isn't because of injury. It is pretty clear to me that van Gaal doesn't like him, a part of me thinks he is going to move him on so he can accomodate Strootman - if Herrera was playing well consistently van Gaal wouldn't have the reason to sign Strootman.
It made sense as Fellaini is more physically imposing. That's how you beat Arsenal.
Ander the new Kagawa then?
He's a midfielder that we've been missing for ages. Fellaini was the right choice today but I definitely think he'll become the more integral player.
yes, with the difference that Athletic wont take him back, so no #FreeAnder.
Also, it would hardly be fair on Fellaini to drop him considering his form. Herrera will get chances because he is a good player.
Surely has to come in soon? The 'battler' games are nearly out the way.
The result was the only positive today, the quality of football was dire so i hope to see Herrera back in the side soon.
You could argue away at Arsenal is not the most ideal game to put him back in the team, so i understand LVG's thinking, but after today he should give Herrera a start in the next match.
You could argue away at Arsenal is not the most ideal game to put him back in the team, so i understand LVG's thinking, but after today he should give Herrera a start in the next match.
I wish one of the journo's would ask LVG what's going on with Ander, is he still not 100% or has he just been dropped.
He doesn't talk about individuals.
Yeah I'd like that too. It's a shame he hasn't even come off the bench in the last few weeks. Hopefully we see him again sometime soon. Still think Carrick, Fellaini and Herrera would be our best midfield.
Van Persie needs to be replaced by Herrera.
I'm all for it too. It's one thing to let his rib injury heal, but this is getting ridiculous to see him on the bench for 3 games in a row without earning a single minute of playing action. If he's not fit, then he shouldn't be on the bench. However if he is fit enough, there should be very little reason to drop him considering how the rest of our central midfielders are not even on par with him.
As much as I want the guy to be playing I can only see him in a number 10 role for us at the moment. Would like to see this vs Hull:
-------------De Gea-------------
Raf---Smalling--Jones--Shaw
------------Carrick--------------
-----Fellaini--------Di Maria-----
------------Herrera---------------
-------Rooney-------Wilson------
I really like him but Fellaini has been very solid for us and can't be dropped, he also has the issue of Mata, Januzaj and Rooney playing in the number 10 spot but it's the only place I can see him fitting in at the moment.
-------------De Gea-------------
Raf---Smalling--Jones--Shaw
------------Carrick--------------
-----Fellaini--------Di Maria-----
------------Herrera---------------
-------Rooney-------Wilson------
I really like him but Fellaini has been very solid for us and can't be dropped, he also has the issue of Mata, Januzaj and Rooney playing in the number 10 spot but it's the only place I can see him fitting in at the moment.
I had thought LvG was protecting his rib injury, but now I think he's just been dropped. Disappointing. I think we lack fluidity without him.
We played Fellaini over him in the Palace game at home and we really lacked the cutting edge, tempo and pace Herrera provides. I don't think Fellaini offers anything that is necessarily needed over Herrera in these sorts of matches.
Bulking him up a bit I reckon.
Start him ahead of Van Persie in the next game. We need more control in midfield.
This. Herrera looked absolutely miles off the pace in most games he's played for us bar 1 or 2. I can't see him getting much football this season. Next season he should start to make an impact. I wouldn't pick him often if I was LVG this season
What are you talking about? WBA was his first bad game for us, and he was injured there.
Luckily for us, you aren't.
Don't want. He should be on the pitch, and nothing less.
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