[Android1974]

I just mean he will play just behind the striker. Just like he does for Atletico.

The thing is, he plays alongside the other striker in Atlético, he just moves around immensely and drops a lot, but he's just as high, that's why it can only be a 4-4-2, for all I know nobody suggested Atlético play 4-2-3-1 because of Griezmann.

 

[K2K]

The thing is, he plays alongside the other striker in Atlético, he just moves around immensely and drops a lot, but he's just as high, that's why it can only be a 4-4-2, for all I know nobody suggested Atlético play 4-2-3-1 because of Griezmann.

You are just being pedantic now.

4231,442...the point is we will play two midfielders with Herreira not being one of them.

 

[RAVred]

Disappointed hes been dropped to be honest. I think we should try putting him in pogbas role and moving pogba further up, displacing Mata or Mkhi.

It should at least be attempted to incorporate last seasons player of the season into the squad. And I hope its something thats at least tested

 

[podurban2]

9 points and you guys are complaining? Ander will play a role sooner or later, and just like under LvG he will fight his eay to a starting spot. Let Jose settle the team first.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Disappointed hes been dropped to be honest. I think we should try putting him in pogbas role and moving pogba further up, displacing Mata or Mkhi.

It should at least be attempted to incorporate last seasons player of the season into the squad. And I hope its something thats at least tested

Mkhitaryan has assisted 5 in 3 games. Why on earth would he be dropped for Herrera?
Mata has also been very lively and clearly offers a lot more attacking intent than Herrera.
I like Herrera as a player but he should stay on the bench for now. He will get his chance in the bigger games when we need 3 in CM (Matic - Pogba - Herrera) but for now we only need 2 CM's, and Pogba and Matic are clearly better than him. No way should we disrupt the team by trying to force Herrera in now.

 

[Pace Abuser]

It's a very long season (again). Andres will play at least 40 gmes this season no doubt. But he's compeltely fresh and he'll work his way into the team especially against big teams in the leauge and the CL. I think Jose is managing his game time pretty well until we need him.

Most sensible post in here.

 

[Jacob]

Nope, he should stay on the bench for now.

Replacing Mata with Herrera would mean Mikhi is pushed to the flank, when he's been excellent through the middle. Don't fix what's not broken.

 

[El Jefe]

Disappointed hes been dropped to be honest. I think we should try putting him in pogbas role and moving pogba further up, displacing Mata or Mkhi.

It should at least be attempted to incorporate last seasons player of the season into the squad. And I hope its something thats at least tested

We've scored 10 goals and conceded none using these players yet you think Herrera should come in for Mata or Mkhitaryan?

I can't see the logic in that. How would his inclusion make us better?

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

Disappointed hes been dropped to be honest. I think we should try putting him in pogbas role and moving pogba further up, displacing Mata or Mkhi.

It should at least be attempted to incorporate last seasons player of the season into the squad. And I hope its something thats at least tested

Awful idea. Pogba is playing in his best Position right now and harmonizes with Matic and Mkhi/Mata in a fantastic way.

Early times but I have already said it last year. Pogba and Herrera are not harmonizing that perfectly.

Based on what we have seen so far I do neither see a starting spot for Herrera nor Ibra.

However, it will crucial to have some Quality back-up Players.

 

[Shuriken]

Remember though, Herrera also did have his pre-season cut a bit short after that minor rib-injury (or whatever it was).

He didn't play too much before the Super Cup match against Real Madrid, in which he had a rather poor outing.

Meanwhile Pogba & Matic have been great since then, but sooner or later we'll see Herrera back in as a part of a midfield trio for some fixtures.

Not only for defending the midfield. He plays some very nice through balls too, I lost count of how many times he split the opposition and opened up space last season. Two that pops up instantly were his assists to Mikhi and Rashford against Tottenham and Chelsea respectively.

 

[Wowi]

I'm a massive Herrera fan, but the team has been working without him so far, so there's no reason to change things just for the sake of it. We'll play a lot of games over the season, and the form of other players will inevitably drop, so I have no doubts the he'll get his chances to prove his worth. I think the Danish commentator from yesterdays game kinda nailed it though, when he said that Herrera is not as good going forward as Mata and Mkhi, and not as good defensively as Matic. Overall he might offer more than other players, but for a specific role we probably have one or two better players in all the positions he plays.

 

[Shark]

His time will come this season.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

Jose specifically mentioned Ander in his post match comment with MUTV. He'll play his fair share this season.

I think he'd be our big game specialist this season.

 

[lsd]

I can't believe people are complaining after we win three games in a row and are top of the table .

Some people need to get a reality check if they still find something to moan about when things are going so well .

We can't play 30 players every game and I'm quite sure every player in our squad knows that and accept it .

Jose picks the team he believes will win the game and so far he is doing it right . Should he change a winning team to please fan boys of every other player?

Herrera will get games when Jose feels is right until then he is where he should be and if you can't accept that tough , I'd rather win the league than see my fave player get games

 

[ricky-romeo]

Remember this time last season, we had plenty players who Mourihno wished he could give more game time to. By the end of the season, we were struggling to put out any sort of team at all. Herrera will get plenty of opportunities once the midweek games start rolling around.

this.

he'll get plenty of games comes october/november but i am happy with pogba-matic now.

being too sentimental wont win you things. just ask SAF. and jose also know this. for some reason i think we are never going to win the league with herrera as our first choice CM but to have him as a squad player is always a good thing.

 

[Android1974]

You are just being pedantic now.

4231,442...the point is we will play two midfielders with Herreira not being one of them.

Better pedantic than mistaking a conversation about Griezmann with one about Herrera, yeah.

 

[Lawman]

Myself and @Lawman were quite vocal last season about Herrera needing to step it up a notch or face an upgrade being brought in. Many posters couldn't even fathom that thought but it seems like Jose agreed.

I have no problem with him being on the bench or a rotational player. It will only prove how strong our squad is.

He's a quality player and will obviously be important for us this season.

A lot of vocal posters last season when Herrera was getting the plaudits. I wonder how many of the posters would swap Herrera for Matic in the team right now. (Disclaimer: I think Herrera is a decent player and great option for the squad but surely people can see the difference when we use a real number 6 as opposed to Herrera). Herrera will be needed at some stage this season though but I honestly think Matic is an upgrade.

 

[Kazi]

Don't worry, Herrera will get the nod over Fellaini more times than not when we go 3 in midfield in the tough games.

 

[K2K]

Don't worry, Herrera will get the nod over Fellaini more times than not when we go 3 in midfield in the tough games.

Think Fellaini will be preferred in the high press games though.

Liverpool for example.

I predict Fellaini to make more appearances this season (fitness allowing)

 

[Devil may care]

I'm not sure he coud do what Mou wants Fellaini to do in the games so far which is to primarily to disrupt the oppositions play and add additional physical presence and height at set pieces. I much prefer Herrera but you have to say Fellaini has done fine every time he's come on.

I'd hope that were we to rest one of Matic/Pogba that Herrera would be first choice and I reckon in big games/europe away

I think Herrera is better at breaking up the play than Fellaini and better positionally at covering any runs if teams come at us later in games. The only advantage Fellaini brings is height at set pieces and with Lukaku, Pogba, Matic and Jones I don't think it's needed.

 

[Escobar]

There will be more than enough games for him this season. We played now 3 games on weekends, but know we play mid-week as well

 

[ivaldo]

A lot of vocal posters last season when Herrera was getting the plaudits. I wonder how many of the posters would swap Herrera for Matic in the team right now. (Disclaimer: I think Herrera is a decent player and great option for the squad but surely people can see the difference when we use a real number 6 as opposed to Herrera). Herrera will be needed at some stage this season though but I honestly think Matic is an upgrade.

No they wouldn't, including me. Because Herrera is not a DM. There seems to be a seriously poor understanding of what type of player Herrera is. Matic and Herrera are nothing alike, this comparison is just daft.

As I've said before, it's been Herreras position that has been dropped, not the player. As soon as Mourinho decides to play a 3 man midfield or wants a ball winning midfielder he'll be one of the first players on the team sheet because, quite simply, no other player can play that role as well as Ander.

Fans were vocal because he deserved the plaudits and quite rightly received the player of the year award. It seems now the fans who were calling him average and were silenced last season are desperate to try and be proven right.

 

[Ace of Spades]

He will get games, more worried about other positions tbh.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

No they wouldn't, including me. Because Herrera is not a DM. There seems to be a seriously poor understanding of what type of player Herrera is. Matic and Herrera are nothing alike, this comparison is just daft.

As I've said before, it's been Herreras position that has been dropped, not the player. As soon as Mourinho decides to play a 3 man midfield or wants a ball winning midfielder he'll be one of the first players on the team sheet because, quite simply, no other player can play that role as well as Ander.

Fans were vocal because he deserved the plaudits and quite rightly received the player of the year award. It seems now the fans who were calling him average and were silenced last season are desperate to try and be proven right.

I agree Ander is that 3rd midfielder. He can cover the other two positions but it isn't really playing to his strengths. There will be games we need that third midfielder and he will come into his own. I would certainly not fancy going to Anfield with only two men in midfield. Also the cups start soon so Jose will have to start some sort of rotation or the current team will be gassed by Christmas.

 

[Lawman]

No they wouldn't, including me. Because Herrera is not a DM. There seems to be a seriously poor understanding of what type of player Herrera is. Matic and Herrera are nothing alike, this comparison is just daft.

As I've said before, it's been Herreras position that has been dropped, not the player. As soon as Mourinho decides to play a 3 man midfield or wants a ball winning midfielder he'll be one of the first players on the team sheet because, quite simply, no other player can play that role as well as Ander.

Fans were vocal because he deserved the plaudits and quite rightly received the player of the year award. It seems now the fans who were calling him average and were silenced last season are desperate to try and be proven right.

On the contrary @ivaldo i think if you were to look back to last season on the forum more than a few were saying Herrera was good at number 6. My argument was he didn't have the skill set to play that well and we should buy some one better and it would clearly take us up a level plus it would also benefit Pogba. A few were saying the same and we got some serious flack for it. Now don't get me wrong Herrera is a good player but right now we have upgraded as a team with Matic. Herrera hopefully has a massive part to play this season and we go on and be successful but there are a few folk who gave their opinion back very strongly that are now very silent.

 

[ivaldo]

On the contrary @ivaldo i think if you were to look back to last season on the forum more than a few were saying Herrera was good at number 6. My argument was he didn't have the skill set to play that well and we should buy some one better and it would clearly take us up a level plus it would also benefit Pogba. A few were saying the same and we got some serious flack for it. Now don't get me wrong Herrera is a good player but right now we have upgraded as a team with Matic. Herrera hopefully has a massive part to play this season and we go on and be successful but there are a few folk who gave their opinion back very strongly that are now very silent.

Oh he can still play it and has served us well as a 6, despite it quite plainly not being his natural position. There's a reason why he got huge plaudits last season and why his overall statistics were unrivalled.

I'm sorry you simply weren't saying that. You were asking for an upgrade on Herrera exclusively, there was no discussion about natural positions or Herrera being suited to a box to box midfielder. You simply said he wasn't good enough. His detractors have been very sly in their criticisms of him. You and I both know Matic isn't a like for like replacement and we are currently playing a formation that doesn't call for a box to box ball winner of Herreras Ilk, yet he's being called average and not up to standard and his benching is a result of that.

His benching is simply down to a change in formation. As soon as a ball winner or a 3 man midfield is required he'll be one of the first names on the team sheet.

 

[BenjaminP]

I like to compare Herrera to Ji Sung Park.

Park didn't play week in and week out, but when he was called upon, he gave his 100% and never let us down with his stamina and tactical executions, especially in big games. Sir Alex always used Park in big games, and Park was one of vital members during our successful period. Park was our 'big game player', and we have been missing that type of player since Fergie left.

I believe Herrera can do the same, acting as the "Park" role in our soon-to-come successful period. So, I'm not disappointed that Herrera isn't playing week in and week out, knowing how valuable he can be in certain games.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

Oh he can still play it and has served us well as a 6, despite it quite plainly not being his natural position. There's a reason why he got huge plaudits last season and why his overall statistics were unrivalled.

I'm sorry you simply weren't saying that. You were asking for an upgrade on Herrera exclusively, there was no discussion about natural positions or Herrera being suited to a box to box midfielder. You simply said he wasn't good enough. His detractors have been very sly in their criticisms of him. You and I both know Matic isn't a like for like replacement and we are currently playing a formation that doesn't call for a box to box ball winner of Herreras Ilk, yet he's being called average and not up to standard and his benching is a result of that.

His benching is simply down to a change in formation. As soon as a ball winner or a 3 man midfield is required he'll be one of the first names on the team sheet.

I agree, had we not signed Matic Herrera could have played in his place and done well, we may have won these three games in exactly the same fashion. However it's clear we've changed formation and in a two man midfield Jose prefers Matic, as it strikes me any reasonably objective and clued up observer would. If we change to a midfield three or Jose wants/needs to rotate later in the season Herrera will be in. The Herrera question seems a strange point of contention given we've won three games handsomely and sit top of the table.

 

[Lawman]

Oh he can still play it and has served us well as a 6, despite it quite plainly not being his natural position. There's a reason why he got huge plaudits last season and why his overall statistics were unrivalled.

I'm sorry you simply weren't saying that. You were asking for an upgrade on Herrera exclusively, there was no discussion about natural positions or Herrera being suited to a box to box midfielder. You simply said he wasn't good enough. His detractors have been very sly in their criticisms of him. You and I both know Matic isn't a like for like replacement and we are currently playing a formation that doesn't call for a box to box ball winner of Herreras Ilk, yet he's being called average and not up to standard and his benching is a result of that.

His benching is simply down to a change in formation. As soon as a ball winner or a 3 man midfield is required he'll be one of the first names on the team sheet.

That's a bit unfair I said we needed an upgrade on Herrera but he was the least of our problems right now. Matic is no doubt in my mind an upgrade. Yes he plays the game differently but we also played a 2 man midfield plenty of times last season with Pogba and Herrera. You cannot tell me we don't look better with Matic playing?
If we had Vidal I'm sure Jose would be playing him right now alongside Pogba and Matic.
Last season we had all the waffle that Jose see's Herrera as captain and he is this and that (all subjective of course) but often given as facts.
A few went against the grain last season as Herrera did have a good season (and deserved the praise) but for me that didn't change the fact we came 6th and looked weak in midfield and needed a better player in there with Pogba. With Matic we now have that and the difference is there to see. Saying Herrera's position has been dropped is complete nonsense in my opinion as we often played this formation last season with Herrera.

 

[Litch]

Matic signing was the game changer. For me he's made both Felliani and Herrera at present redundant as he has both their qualities. I think everyone's been pleasantly surprised by his football ability beyond just a DM. That aside I do think Felliani will play more than Herrera as again with Matic, he creates a better defensive screen in set pieces if you are saving a game, and creates problems if you are chasing one. It's only 3 games but we've already seen Felliani more times than Herrera.

That said, I'm sure he'll get football but it might be more on the basis of someone getting injured or rested than anything else....

 

[Geekie]

I thought it's obvious that if Herrera is good enough, we wouldn't have switched to a formation that does not include him at all? I'm not trying to discredit the player that he is but now even if we play a three-man midfield he's still not the first name on the teamsheet (should be Matic/Pogba)

 

[ivaldo]

That's a bit unfair I said we needed an upgrade on Herrera but he was the least of our problems right now. Matic is no doubt in my mind an upgrade. Yes he plays the game differently but we also played a 2 man midfield plenty of times last season with Pogba and Herrera. You cannot tell me we don't look better with Matic playing?
If we had Vidal I'm sure Jose would be playing him right now alongside Pogba and Matic.
Last season we had all the waffle that Jose see's Herrera as captain and he is this and that (all subjective of course) but often given as facts.
A few went against the grain last season as Herrera did have a good season (and deserved the praise) but for me that didn't change the fact we came 6th and looked weak in midfield and needed a better player in there with Pogba. With Matic we now have that and the difference is there to see. Saying Herrera's position has been dropped is complete nonsense in my opinion as we often played this formation last season with Herrera.

I've already said in a two man midfield with a true defensive midfielder I would pick Matic, he is giving us balance that last season that we lacked. We simply do not need a third midfielder against the teams we have played thus far. As soon as we do he'll become an integral part of the starting XI once more.
None of this detracts from Herreras abilities, nor does it show Matic was signed as an upgrade on Herrera. Matic is effectively replacing Carrick in the side while Herreras position have been surplus against the easier sides.

You seem to be confusing Herrera filling in as a defensive midfielder with him actually being one. They are worlds apart Lawman, and it seems Herreras performances in that position has duped you.

I thought it's obvious that if Herrera is good enough, we wouldn't have switched to a formation that does not include him at all? I'm not trying to discredit the player that he is but now even if we play a three-man midfield he's still not the first name on the teamsheet (should be Matic/Pogba)

So when we switch to a midfield three against the big sides does that mean Matic and Pogba aren't good enough? Horses for courses, you don't need a box to box midfielder and a defensive midfielder against teams who hold no aspirations of keeping possession.

I agree, had we not signed Matic Herrera could have played in his place and done well, we may have won these three games in exactly the same fashion. However it's clear we've changed formation and in a two man midfield Jose prefers Matic, as it strikes me any reasonably objective and clued up observer would. If we change to a midfield three or Jose wants/needs to rotate later in the season Herrera will be in. The Herrera question seems a strange point of contention given we've won three games handsomely and sit top of the table.

Precisely. In a two Matic and Pogba give us better balance.

I'm not questioning his exclusion at all, in fact I welcomed it in the games we've played so far. That doesn't take anything away from Herrera or suddenly confirm he's average.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I thought it's obvious that if Herrera is good enough, we wouldn't have switched to a formation that does not include him at all? I'm not trying to discredit the player that he is but now even if we play a three-man midfield he's still not the first name on the teamsheet (should be Matic/Pogba)

We have done well in midfield but I will reserve judgement a bit until we actually play someone who tests them properly.

 

[Litch]

I love Herrera and he'll play his part this season but just in a different way. He's more the replacement for Pogba as Felliani is for Matic, and Ibra is for Rom. Its only 3 games but it's not the winning, it's the manor of the performances and once everyone's fit, the only personnel change for me would be Shaw for Blind.

 

[Lawman]

You seem to be confusing Herrera filling in as a defensive midfielder with him actually being one. They are worlds apart Lawman, and it seems Herreras performances in that position has duped you.

Ivaldo you have known me long enough on this forum to know that's not true. Come on. That was the basis of my argument last year, quite simply we need a better 6 and Herrera not having the skill set to play there long term. I also believe we can upgrade on Herrera still but that should be the last of our worries right now.
Last season we played a two man midfield and were short and it was obvious we needed an upgrade to play this formation. Pogba and Matic is an upgrade in this formation. Plain as the end of your nose buddy. Is Matic a better player than Herrera for my money yes but not just because this formation suits him better.

 

[Kostur]

Shitloads of games to come, even big ones where we have to go three in a midfield, he'll play his fair share of games easily.

 

[Havak]

Herrera will play a lot, everyone should know this. Jose will have looked at the first three games and thought we could blow such teams away with a 4231 and lay down a more offensive start to the season to instill confidence in the team in front of goal - something we lacked last season. I'd say 10 goals in three games proves it has worked, even with a few good chances missed (including a penalty). So many games to come where he would opt for a more central midfield player rather than a out-and-out no.10.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Herrera will play a lot, everyone should know this. Jose will have looked at the first three games and thought we could blow such teams a way with a 4231 and lay down a more offensive start to the season to instill confidence in the team in front of goal - something we lacked last season. I'd say 10 goals in three games proves it has worked, even with a few good chances missed (including a penalty). So many games to come where he would opt for a more central midfield player rather than a out-and-out no.10.

This from Jose confirms this. There will be games where we won't be allowed to be swashbuckling or let's say it might not be advisable.
10:04
Mourinho explains why he changes approach in games
“Maybe they are going to say that [my team is defensive] because my team are not conceding goals. Maybe they say I’m defensive.

“We are playing well. Probably in some matches where we are not playing well, probably we are going to be defensive.

“Probably if in some match the opponent is playing better than us we have to be pragmatic and realistic and defend.

“But in these three matches we didn’t need that because the team was in good control, but I’m not getting carried away. Three matches, nine points, it’s good, a plus-10 goal average is good. But it’s three matches.”

 

[Havak]

This from Jose confirms this. There will be games where we won't be allowed to be swashbuckling or let's say it might not be advisable.
10:04
Mourinho explains why he changes approach in games
“Maybe they are going to say that [my team is defensive] because my team are not conceding goals. Maybe they say I’m defensive.

“We are playing well. Probably in some matches where we are not playing well, probably we are going to be defensive.

“Probably if in some match the opponent is playing better than us we have to be pragmatic and realistic and defend.

“But in these three matches we didn’t need that because the team was in good control, but I’m not getting carried away. Three matches, nine points, it’s good, a plus-10 goal average is good. But it’s three matches.”

Add to this, we actually play seven games between September 9th-30th, including the Burton League Cup game that will no doubt see almost a full change to the starting line-up and away trips to Stoke, Southampton and CSKA Moscow where I expect us to play 433.

 

[11101]

I thought it's obvious that if Herrera is good enough, we wouldn't have switched to a formation that does not include him at all? I'm not trying to discredit the player that he is but now even if we play a three-man midfield he's still not the first name on the teamsheet (should be Matic/Pogba)

Against the weaker opposition we have played so far it is more important to load the attack and we only need two players to cover the midfield. Matic does that better than Herrera, he's one of the best in the world at it, and Pogba is our talisman. That doesn't mean Herrera is not a good player anymore, he's just not as good as those two. Against stronger teams when we will want more numbers in midfield and more defensive resilience Herrera will get back in.