[Brightonian]

It's a very hard skill. No one in the world can just whack them in for fun.

The one he took on today was an absurdly difficult chance.

If anything he just needs to try them less often. But I've got a feeling Jose's encouraging it, because he never took so many potshots before this season. Potentially they see it as a way to keep opposition defences from sitting back too deep - a few potshots like that across the bow will remind them they need to close down that space, which then leaves more gaps for our forwards to work in. And if any player is likely to be Mourinho's tactical lieutenant, it'll be Ander. By all accounts he's clever, and a real student of the game.

 

[Grunge]

Don't think anyone is underestimating his contribution this season it's been excellent but I think a few are saying we could have someone better. There are without doubt other areas of the team that need improving first but eventually Herrera will get replaced as he imo does not or has not shown enough to merit a place long term in terms of overall output. He's our new Nicky Butt a great player to have but not a Scholes or Keane.

Hmmm it's hard to argue with his work rate and as a couple on here have pointed out, his interceptions are second to virtually nobody. I think he often brings a much needed urgency to the table when other look like they're starting to coast.

As for the comparison to Nicky Butt ... sorry but I disagree. Love ya Nicky but you're not in the same class as Herrera (for me) Given the choice between the two Nick doesn't get a look in.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

He was great today. His intercepting and breaking up the play were as superb as they have been for the majority of this season and it was particularly nice to see his work having a positive effect for us further up the pitch (his hassling was key in the build up to our first goal, his tackle was key in the second and he put a gorgeous ball over to Mata who set up Mkhi's balloon over the bar in the first half).

He needs more goal threat himself, but I think he's a fine box to box midfielder.

 

[Lawman]

Hmmm it's hard to argue with his work rate and as a couple on here have pointed out, his interceptions are second to virtually nobody. I think he often brings a much needed urgency to the table when other look like they're starting to coast.

As for the comparison to Nicky Butt ... sorry but I disagree. Love ya Nicky but you're not in the same class as Herrera (for me) Given the choice between the two Nick doesn't get a look in.

More not a Keane or Scholes standard player but he could be our Nicky Butt rather than a comparison in actual styles.

 

[Sylar]

Hes been really good for the majority of the games for us in terms of intercepting, starting of our attacks, pressing high to gain the ball back quickly after an attack breaks down.

What will happen is he will have an off match here and there and people will overreact and say "WE MUST UPGRADE!!!11one"

 

[Womp]

Hes been really good for the majority of the games for us in terms of intercepting, starting of our attacks, pressing high to gain the ball back quickly after an attack breaks down.

What will happen is he will have an off match here and there and people will overreact and say "WE MUST UPGRADE!!!11one"

TBF people are still saying we need to upgrade even after yesterday. I can't think of many midfielders in the world who can do what he does with such intensity. Wouldn't swap him for any midfielder in the prem in this form. Absolute warrior of a player, exactly the type you want in your dressing room and team.

 

[NK86]

You were talking that defensive situation about getting back omg you really are one of the most clueless posters. You asked what player do we have that could have done that so I said we just sold one. Now I see you never take any post into context. You just spout nonsense. I'd be happy if you don't take me up on any my posts in future!

Morgan has been found out countless times defensively while playing for us but Morgan could have done what Herrera has been doing for us?! Carry on. Don't bother replying.

 

[NK86]

So other people haven't seen enough of our games to judge Herrera properly, whereas you've definitely seen enough of Kante's games for Chelsea to overrule the majority opinion? Also, not sure I'd describe Kante as a flashier player than Herrera. Isn't Herrera's superiority on the ball supposed to be a point in his favour in this argument?

I'm not saying United fans don't know more about United players than neutrals. I'm saying that United fans are more likely to be biased towards United players than neutrals. Certainly more likely to be biased towards them than the vast majority of the football watching world is to be biased against them. You can disagree with the majority while still keeping a certain degree of perspective when it comes to where you stand in terms of likely bias.

Tell me one place where i said Kante is not a good player? You have rival fans coming on here calling Herrera overrated and not even as good as Dembele for crying out loud.

The stats are ridiculously in Herrera's favor. His interceptions, tackling, ability to keep the play ticking, ability to come up with key passes, his ability to keep the ball under pressure have been absolutely immense this season. So much so that yesterday both our goals came because he was able to nick the ball back in the opposition half.

As for bias, why don't you quote the other person and call him out on his bias towards Kante? Is it because it does not suit your point of Herrera being overrated and not good enough?

 

[NK86]

He had a superb game today, but I don't think its fair to use single games to try driving a point home. If we did that we can show Pogba to be a Championship player or Kante to be useless.

I agree that single games cannot be used. However he has been consistently brilliant for us this season. I could virtually write that same post after so many games this season.

 

[Water Melon]

TBF people are still saying we need to upgrade even after yesterday. I can't think of many midfielders in the world who can do what he does with such intensity. Wouldn't swap him for any midfielder in the prem in this form. Absolute warrior of a player, exactly the type you want in your dressing room and team.

This ^. There are some other areas that need improvement in the team, so DDG, Herrera, Bailly, Tony V and Micki are least of my worries. Herrera is terrific, and as long as he keeps playing like he has been this season, he will start and provide his fair amount of contribution.

 

[ravi2]

TBF people are still saying we need to upgrade even after yesterday. I can't think of many midfielders in the world who can do what he does with such intensity. Wouldn't swap him for any midfielder in the prem in this form. Absolute warrior of a player, exactly the type you want in your dressing room and team.

Great post and my sentiments exactly

 

[Womp]

Anyone else picked up on how he was screaming at our players, getting them to raise the intensity again early on in the second half? Captain material.

First name on the sheet for me at the moment along with DDG and Valencia.

 

[AgentP]

TBF people are still saying we need to upgrade even after yesterday. I can't think of many midfielders in the world who can do what he does with such intensity. Wouldn't swap him for any midfielder in the prem in this form. Absolute warrior of a player, exactly the type you want in your dressing room and team.

Excellent post. We don't need an upgrade. We just need to get one more player with similar abilities as I think Jose is going to stick with 4231 from now on except for the big games. Right now, we don't have any other CM who will be comfortable in a 2-man midfield.

 

[sullydnl]

Tell me one place where i said Kante is not a good player? You have rival fans coming on here calling Herrera overrated and not even as good as Dembele for crying out loud.

The stats are ridiculously in Herrera's favor. His interceptions, tackling, ability to keep the play ticking, ability to come up with key passes, his ability to keep the ball under pressure have been absolutely immense this season. So much so that yesterday both our goals came because he was able to nick the ball back in the opposition half.

As for bias, why don't you quote the other person and call him out on his bias towards Kante? Is it because it does not suit your point of Herrera being overrated and not good enough?

Bizzare post. I never said that you said Kante wasn't a good player, I never mentioned Dembele and I never said Herrera was overrated (unless you count your minority opinion as the definitive one). As for the Chelsea fan's bias towards Kante, if it only extends to him being better than Herrera then it isn't biased, it's normal. If it extends way beyond that then it has nothing to do with Herrera.

 

[Yagami]

Absolutely immense! Despite what some might say he's having a brilliant season.

 

[Bobcat]

Food for thought, for all the Kante lovers on here:

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m..._won/interceptions/blocks/defensive_errors#90

The thing is, Herrera does not fit into any sensationalist narrative so he is conveniently ignored. Kante fits right into such a narrative, so pundits and ex-players alike are going to cream themselves every time the makes an interception. If Herrera was a new arrival here, i'm sure he would have gotten a lot more praise in the media because he would had been a "vital part in our resurgence" or something like that

 

[ivaldo]

Food for thought, for all the Kante lovers on here:

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m..._won/interceptions/blocks/defensive_errors#90

If you change it from average per game to totals Herrera still comfortably beats him on all fronts, despite playing over 200 minutes less.

 

[AgentP]

Food for thought, for all the Kante lovers on here:

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m..._won/interceptions/blocks/defensive_errors#90

That's seriously impressive! Credit to Jose for identifying his talent and channelizing it properly. He was very under-utilized by Van Gaal. Now, we can see Herrera expressing himself fully on the pitch.

 

[kiristao]

He was immense yesterday. Having said that, I must say there are times when he rushes to press and leaves a big gap between our midfield and defence. When playing as part of a 2 man midfield, he needs to learn to be a bit more judicious in his attempts to press the opposition..

 

[Cassidy]

He was immense yesterday. Having said that, I must say there are times when he rushes to press and leaves a big gap between our midfield and defence. When playing as part of a 2 man midfield, he needs to learn to be a bit more judicious in his attempts to press the opposition..

That seems to be a risk were happy to take. Pogba sits and we want to win the ball high in order to start an attack quickly. I dnt mind it, risk vs reward

 

[VP89]

I agree that single games cannot be used. However he has been consistently brilliant for us this season. I could virtually write that same post after so many games this season.

Wel have to agree to disagree.

 

[NK86]

Bizzare post. I never said that you said Kante wasn't a good player, I never mentioned Dembele and I never said Herrera was overrated (unless you count your minority opinion as the definitive one). As for the Chelsea fan's bias towards Kante, if it only extends to him being better than Herrera then it isn't biased, it's normal. If it extends way beyond that then it has nothing to do with Herrera.

I specifically mentioned that rival fans call Dembele better than Herrera and I did so because you initially quoted my post which was directed to a Chelsea fan.

Aa for Kante being called a better player than Herrera being normal then Herrera being called better than Kante shoule be called the same because of how he has outperformed Kante this season. Heck Orc even said Kante is perhaps the best DM in the world and wil walk into any 11 except for RM and Barca which ia stupidly laughable. Kante is a quality destroyer but the overrating of his abilities is extreme at times.

The fans on here who want an upgrade on Herrera because of him playing sideward passes more often then claim Kante is better when he is the very epitome of a water carrier. That is where the ridiculousness is.

Both are very good players but Herrera has outshone Kante this season. It's a shame that our forwards basically forgot where the back of the net was earlier in the season else we would have been chasing Chelsea down and this discussion would have been different. As it stands Herrera is called overrated while Kante ia referred to as the best DM because of him running around a lot.

 

[NK86]

If you change it from average per game to totals Herrera still comfortably beats him on all fronts, despite playing over 200 minutes less.

Yet people cream themselves over Kante and call Herrera overrated. The caf never ceases to amaze me.

 

[NK86]

Wel have to agree to disagree.

Fair enough.

 

[marjen]

The interesting thing is that Ander wins out over Kanté in the defensive stats as well as the offensive stats.

I have to admit I'm a bit surprised with just how good those stats are, even if I do think he's been consistently very good for us.

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m...erial_duels_won_%/total_duels_%/key_passes#90

 

[AgentP]

Food for thought, for all the Kante lovers on here:

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m..._won/interceptions/blocks/defensive_errors#90

I added Idrisse Gueye to the comparison and he has also done better than Kante according to the stats. But both are way below Herrera in their contribution to the attack.

 

[Cassidy]

I added Idrisse Gueye to the comparison and he has also done better than Kante according to the stats. But both are way below Herrera in their contribution to the attack.

Gueye has been excellent all season but doesnt get the recognition since hes nof Kante

 

[marjen]

Gueye has been excellent all season but doesnt get the recognition since hes nof Kante

I suppose winning the league with two different teams and being vital for both of them gets you some recognition.

I think Gueye is great as well, and Herrera. But then those two players are in teams sitting in 7th and 6h so far.

 

[AgentP]

I suppose winning the league with two different teams and being vital for both of them gets you some recognition.

I think Gueye is great as well, and Herrera. But then those two players are in teams sitting in 7th and 6h so far.

Kante has that extra bit of acceleration that helps him win tackles we don't expect him to. He can also maintain his energy level for the full 90 minutes and never seems to tire.

 

[Ekeke]

You think it's more likely that everyone bar a few United fans are blindly biased against a United player rather than a few United fans being blindly biased towards a United player?

Most likely opposition fans arent watching him, except when he plays against their team. Would have been the same for the likes of Kante if his team hadnt won the league.

 

[BlueCelery]

You guys do know Kante plays alongside Matic who's also one of the best ball winners in Europe? Unlike last season, he doesn't have to do anywhere near as much defensive work. Watch games instead of stat sheets lads.

 

[Litch]

Might be controversial but I think his position will be under threat next season. The irony isn't cause he's not playing well, it's because of Pogba. Im not convinced about our midfield against the big teams and think should we get into CL, it will be more evident. Pogba is on another level but where to play him still is uncertain and I'm not convinced that Herrera is a natural midfielder to function in a 3 in order to cover Pogba's failings or game. I think we'll sign an absolute destroyer that statue, height and ability will offer more than Herrera. Again the irony is that's why Jose likes Felliani imo. We'll sign a World class version of him....

 

[JeffBoomTetris]

The fans on here who want an upgrade on Herrera because of him playing sideward passes more often then claim Kante is better when he is the very epitome of a water carrier. That is where the ridiculousness is.

The double standards are strong with them. Herrera has been better than the French midget

 

[Ekeke]

You guys do know Kante plays alongside Matic who's also one of the best ball winners in Europe? Unlike last season, he doesn't have to do anywhere near as much defensive work. Watch games instead of stat sheets lads.

Matic with his 1.9 tackles and 1.8 interceptions per match? to Pogba's 1.8 tackles and 1.2 interceptions per match. Also Carrick with his 1.2 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per match.

If you're going to talk about other CMs affecting things, the players Ander is playing next to win the ball more than Matic.

Its Matic who is doing less defensively because Kante is there, allowing Matic to do more than he usually does going forward hence he has 6 assists.

 

[Rossa]

Am I the only one who loves his dribbles and take ons in the middle? He has this beautiful dribble that should be found out by now, but it works every time. I think he bounces if off his right foot and moves left. He is pretty rapid on those first five yard, but his top speed is rather poor, so he manages to get away from them as well. When he does that he creates so much space for himself.

Great player to watch, so much energy and willingness.

 

[Kag]

Might be controversial but I think his position will be under threat next season. The irony isn't cause he's not playing well, it's because of Pogba. Im not convinced about our midfield against the big teams and think should we get into CL, it will be more evident. Pogba is on another level but where to play him still is uncertain and I'm not convinced that Herrera is a natural midfielder to function in a 3 in order to cover Pogba's failings or game. I think we'll sign an absolute destroyer that statue, height and ability will offer more than Herrera. Again the irony is that's why Jose likes Felliani imo. We'll sign a World class version of him....

But this supposed incoming player is naturally going to be poorer on the ball than Herrera. That means that their defensive contribution is going to have to better Herrera's, which based on this season's numbers, is going to be some sort of superhuman defensive effort.

I like the idea of bringing in somebody solid to sit behind Herrera - therefore freeing up him to play alongside Pogba in an attacking sense - but replacing him outright will only weaken us. Unless there is an available player out there that is both better defensively and better on the ball? I can't think of many, if any at all.

 

[itso 7]

But this supposed incoming player is naturally going to be poorer on the ball than Herrera. That means that their defensive contribution is going to have to better Herrera's, which based on this season's numbers, is going to be some sort of superhuman defensive effort.

I like the idea of bringing in somebody solid to sit behind Herrera - therefore freeing up him to play alongside Pogba in an attacking sense - but replacing him outright will only weaken us. Unless there is an available player out there that is both better defensively and better on the ball? I can't think of many, if any at all.

This is what most are overlooking, he is simply not a destroyer nor is he a playmaker but he combines bits of both which makes him a near perfect two-way player. The upgrade his detractors are clamouring for is difficult to identify and sign so rather than completely rebuild the midfield combination why not just sign a player to replace Carrick and a top wide forward to help out with the goals then continue with the midfield equation that has been essential in our unbeaten run?

 

[ChaddyP]

Food for thought, for all the Kante lovers on here:

http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m..._won/interceptions/blocks/defensive_errors#90

you should put Henderson in there. I would say both him and Ander have been better than Kante all round

 

[roonster09]

You guys do know Kante plays alongside Matic who's also one of the best ball winners in Europe? Unlike last season, he doesn't have to do anywhere near as much defensive work. Watch games instead of stat sheets lads.

How many times he recovers possession per game?

 

[Amar__]

You guys do know Kante plays alongside Matic who's also one of the best ball winners in Europe? Unlike last season, he doesn't have to do anywhere near as much defensive work. Watch games instead of stat sheets lads.

If anything, that tells us he should be far better attacking wise than Herrera but it's the other way around.