Very good when he came on, changed the game. Should stick with Herrera and Fellaini with Pogba in midfield, there's potential there I think
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Brilliant today. He usually is against City, to be fair. He's one of our best players in terms of dealing with pressure and pressing himself so I'm not surprised. I kind of hope we see a midfield 3 of himself, Pogba and Fellaini against Watford, though I won't hold my breath.
Ok ok, I know exactly why he's not playing but I didn't want to turn this into another Rooney thread.
Ok ok, I know exactly why he's not playing but I didn't want to turn this into another Rooney thread.
He did play at the beginning tbf, but then Pogba was brought in and since then he disappeared from the starting lineup. I think he will be in and out of the team, a bit like Ramires for Chelsea at that time, our 12th man for now.
Delighted with how he's played this season whenever given a chance. Showing his quality again, probably our best player today. He's a must start in big games I think. Probably should play in most games anyway and balance some freedom in midfield with Pogba.
True, he is extremely important in the big games, he is simply totally pushed and hyped for them. If 2 or 3 players are not motivated enough, it makes a difference. At least he is up for it and it showed. When Valencia got fouled from Silva, you could already see him warming up and screaming at the referee, running up and down
This.
I just got destroyed in the Rooney thread saying I liked him wide to be a Beckham type winger. His delivery is still top notch and we need quality crosses with so much height in the team.
Good game. He gave us much more balance and showed more desire to get at City.
Pleasantly surprised today.
Should play at the DM role. He's fantastic there.
Did really well when he came on. Happy to see him growing into the new role.
Mourinho seems to have more success in reshaping some of our players like Herrera and Fellaini.
Positive times.
Mourinho seems to have more success in reshaping some of our players like Herrera and Fellaini.
Positive times.
Very good half from him, perhaps should have started with him for the sake of balance. Still not convinced with his long passes though, feel he just blasts it to nowhere.
I'm sorry but it was genuinely funny. I literally laughed out loud when I read that. Rooney's been suggested for more positions than a pornstar has in a day's work.
He was great. His dynamism should be utilised more in big games like this.
I'll be honest I don't think he is that good but today he put in a great shift
I don't think anyone was having a pop at you. It's just that if Rooney makes a goal line clearance next match, someone will suggest that he should be a ball playing CB.
He can definitely be pleased with his performance today. He never stopped trying and played better in 45 minutes than most of the players played in 90 minutes.
Probably his best outing for about a year for us. Keep it up.
was great and he provides a "thrust" to the side that Schneiderlin and Fellaini simply can't.
I said in another thread, it felt like he was only one of three players that were playing the occasion. The other two being Valencia and Rooney.
When Jose was talking about players being up for it or not on the big stage, I think he was partially hinting at Ander being the former.
This may go a long way towards him getting more starts.
This may go a long way towards him getting more starts.
Our best performer and yet he was only on the pitch for 45 mins. Tactical blunder by Mourinho not to start Herrera.
TeamTalk.com gave him 4 out of 10 for today. Joint worst player on the pitch along with Lingard and Blind. Worse than Bravo. "Practically invisible" apparently.
was fantastic when he came on, think I remember only one bad header near the end.
433
433
Who the feck are teamtalk.com? They are also practically invisible online, thank god
They used to be pretty good when they were owned by Sky Sports. Now they're part of the F365 crowd and now they're a bit wank.
He's so goddamn good when we have to press high and chase the ball -- no wonder, since he did a lot of that under Bielsa in Bilbao. Also, he seems to find an extra gear in the big games.
We should adopt a midfield three of Herrera Schneiderlin and Pogba. If rooney wants to play, he can fight it out with Mikhi for the right wing.
Fellaini's not put a foot wrong. Him, Herrera and Pogba will do us fine.
Should be a starter in our 433 if Mourinho switches to it.
Team talk!!! Completely forgot about them. Used to visit their site everyday. Wonder why I stopped.
I just don't understand why, at this stage, Ander Herrera is considered 'not good' by anyone.
The few games we've had where we've looked the part over the last two years, it's always come when Herrera has been on the pitch, and that's no coincidence.
He's done well but long term I don't think Fellaini should be starting. He's an obvious position we can improve upon because he isn't that good on the ball. Again, he did well when called upon under LvG and has started the season really well here, but it's always going to be a weak point in our team because he's limited on the ball. Herrera has been more inconsistent during his time here, but I think he has a lot more talent so can make a bigger impact in terms of helping us going forward and helping us control games.
They must confused him with Pogba.
Limited but brings much needed energy and determination/grit etc. Seems a Mourinho type of player and made a big difference when he came on but partly because of City's switch to a counter attacking style.
Herrera played well but a large part of that was because he was in a proper midfield 3. NO pairing in our team would have coped with City's pressing in the first half. Absolutely none.
Rooney again being the weak link. He's not a great midfielder that links well tactically or technically with his midfielders or a great no.10 providing consistent chances for his striker/wide players.
Honestly imo it wouldn't have mattered that much if Schweni, Schneiderlin or Carrick came in instead of Herrera at half time, they all would have played decent (in a 3). They all have qualities that would have benefitted the team but most importantly, Rooney wouldn't be the black hole in the middle of the pitch.
We were essentially playing 4-4-2 (with Rooney) against City's 3-6-1. Outnumbered everywhere because of their pressing and movement.
Rooney again being the weak link. He's not a great midfielder that links well tactically or technically with his midfielders or a great no.10 providing consistent chances for his striker/wide players.
Honestly imo it wouldn't have mattered that much if Schweni, Schneiderlin or Carrick came in instead of Herrera at half time, they all would have played decent (in a 3). They all have qualities that would have benefitted the team but most importantly, Rooney wouldn't be the black hole in the middle of the pitch.
We were essentially playing 4-4-2 (with Rooney) against City's 3-6-1. Outnumbered everywhere because of their pressing and movement.
Because in the vast amount of games he's played he has been nothing special, he tries hard but needs a better end product a better pass.
Today he gave us a lot of much needed energy, I don't want to get into why I'm not his biggest fan after his performance against city, wouldn't be right to criticize a player after putting in a good shift
Ander made a big difference yesterday. That energy, and biting at City, almost pressed them back singlehanded. It gave Pogba time and space, and allowed Fellaini to take a more central defensive position. His quick passing can unlock sides. I would play him more often.
Will he start Thursday or do you think Jose has ear-marked the Europa League for properly fringe players?
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