[2mufc0]

I personally don't think Valencia would have made much difference vs Arsenal. To say Darmian struggles vs a certain type of attacker is very knee Jerk and of course people haven't watched him for Torino or Italy then. The subset is just too small, he was one of our best players in the opening 5/6 games. He had a couple of poor games in a new league, I don't think its the end of the world, it is to be expected.

Don't think he would have faced a Sanchez quality winger in Italy. I do think he is struggling against certain types of players but doesn't mean he can't learn to play better against them.

 

[K2K]

I personally don't think Valencia would have made much difference vs Arsenal. To say Darmian struggles vs a certain type of attacker is very knee Jerk and of course people haven't watched him for Torino or Italy then. The subset is just too small, he was one of our best players in the opening 5/6 games. He had a couple of poor games in a new league, I don't think its the end of the world, it is to be expected.

He has struggled in this league so far against them..and has had to be hooked off at HT. Van Gaal as manager will judge him on his performances this season, not his performances for Torino.

I never said it was the end of the world, I just said that Valencia has done quite well against such attackers, seeing his performance for example when he came on for Darmian against Tadic. Id rather not argue this Valencia v Darmian debate, like them both and have no problem with them being rotated depending on who our opponent is.

Whether Valencia would have made a difference against Arsenal or not, thats a purely theoretical argument with no proof either side which I'd much rather not argue.

 

[Manny]

Sigh

I take it this means you think Valencia isn't faster or stronger then Darmian and we should play Darmian against Sterling and De Bruyne.

 

[limerickcitykid]

He has struggled in this league so far against them..and has had to be hooked off at HT. Van Gaal as manager will judge him on his performances this season, not his performances for Torino.

I never said it was the end of the world, I just said that Valencia has done quite well against such attackers, seeing his performance for example when he came on for Darmian against Tadic. Id rather not argue this Valencia v Darmian debate, like them both and have no problem with them being rotated depending on who our opponent is.

Whether Valencia would have made a difference against Arsenal or not, thats a purely theoretical argument with no proof either side which I'd much rather not argue.

What are such attackers? Tadic and Sanchez are completely different styles of players.

 

[Cassidy]

I take it this means you think Valencia isn't faster or stronger then Darmian and we should play Darmian against Sterling and De Bruyne.

No. It means that him being faster and stronger doesn't make him a better defender.

 

[Cassidy]

He has struggled in this league so far against them..and has had to be hooked off at HT. Van Gaal as manager will judge him on his performances this season, not his performances for Torino.

I never said it was the end of the world, I just said that Valencia has done quite well against such attackers, seeing his performance for example when he came on for Darmian against Tadic. Id rather not argue this Valencia v Darmian debate, like them both and have no problem with them being rotated depending on who our opponent is.

Whether Valencia would have made a difference against Arsenal or not, thats a purely theoretical argument with no proof either side which I'd much rather not argue.

Who? Sanchez and Tadic? Games where the whole defence struggled because the midfield did not do its job. It was 2 games, where in honesty the whole defence was not very good

 

[Manny]

No. It means that him being faster and stronger doesn't make him a better defender.

I never said he was a better defender, but it makes sense to play Valencia against the pace of City after Darmian's showing against Sanchez.

 

[Nobby style]

He has struggled in this league so far against them..and has had to be hooked off at HT. Van Gaal as manager will judge him on his performances this season, not his performances for Torino.

I never said it was the end of the world, I just said that Valencia has done quite well against such attackers, seeing his performance for example when he came on for Darmian against Tadic. Id rather not argue this Valencia v Darmian debate, like them both and have no problem with them being rotated depending on who our opponent is.

Whether Valencia would have made a difference against Arsenal or not, thats a purely theoretical argument with no proof either side which I'd much rather not argue.

Against L´Arse, Valencia made a world of difference when he came on, although in fairness, the damage had been done and they had taken their foot off the petal. And Valencia has been quite effective against Sanchez in the past.

In reference to Southampton and Tadic, LVG says it all:

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that his decision to substitute Matteo Darmian against Southampton was purely tactical - because he couldn't cope with Dusan Tadic.

"He [Darmian] gave too much space to Tadic in my opinion, so that's why I brought on Valencia," declared the United chief.

“I didn't see Tadic in the second half, did you?

"It was a tactical change because Tadic had a lot of space and was very dangerous for us.

"I wanted to eliminate that with Valencia and he did that very well I think."

 

[Ixion]

I never said he was a better defender, but it makes sense to play Valencia against the pace of City after Darmian's showing against Sanchez.

Darmian was hardly the weak-link and reason we lost to Arsenal. Everyone was crap, we'd end up dropping the entire team, at least Darmian was up against one of the best player's in the League as an excuse. Valencia has had plenty of bad games at fullback, Darmian has one and he can't play against any big teams it seems.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

It's not just because Valencia would be faster at closing down Sterling etc. that I want him to start, I feel he links very well with Mata & Herrera in which we've arguably seen our best football during Van Gaal's reign. I honestly prefer Darmian as a player but I feel Valencia should start this one.

 

[K2K]

Who? Sanchez and Tadic? Games where the whole defence struggled because the midfield did not do its job. It was 2 games, where in honesty the whole defence was not very good

Against L´Arse, Valencia made a world of difference when he came on, although in fairness, the damage had been done and they had taken their foot off the petal. And Valencia has been quite effective against Sanchez in the past.

In reference to Southampton and Tadic, LVG says it all:

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has revealed that his decision to substitute Matteo Darmian against Southampton was purely tactical - because he couldn't cope with Dusan Tadic.

"He [Darmian] gave too much space to Tadic in my opinion, so that's why I brought on Valencia," declared the United chief.

“I didn't see Tadic in the second half, did you?

"It was a tactical change because Tadic had a lot of space and was very dangerous for us.

"I wanted to eliminate that with Valencia and he did that very well I think."

Think the LVG quotes that Nobby quoted shows the manager felt the same way..This is turning into a silly Valencia v Darmian argument which I honestly couldn't be bothered in...yes, its 5/6 games, but he did struggle specifically then..coupled with the fact that Valencia did handle such players relatively well last season.

Both are good rb's , each with their own flaws, but I like them and wish them both the best.

 

[Manny]

Darmian was hardly the weak-link and reason we lost to Arsenal. Everyone was crap, we'd end up dropping the entire team, at least Darmian was up against one of the best player's in the League as an excuse. Valencia has had plenty of bad games at fullback, Darmian has one and he can't play against any big teams it seems.

He was at fault for both Sanchez's goals hence why LvG brought Valencia on at half time. He was too slow to track Sanchez's run to the near post for the first goal and Sanchez was too quick and nimble for him for his second goal. The collapse wasn't entirely his fault but he played a part.

And I forgot about Valencia having to come in for Darmian against Southampton as Nobby posted above. We could start with Darmian against City but I have a feeling we'd be bringing on Valencia again.

Darmian's showed he's not as effective as some like to think and he's struggled against nimble and pacey players before. Putting him against Sterling has the makings of another bad day at the office.

 

[Nobby style]

Think the LVG quotes that Nobby quoted shows the manager felt the same way..This is turning into a silly Valencia v Darmian argument which I honestly couldn't be bothered in...yes, its 5/6 games, but he did struggle specifically then..coupled with the fact that Valencia did handle such players relatively well last season.

Both are good rb's , each with their own flaws, but I like them and wish them both the best.

You can´t get around the discussion of Valencia vs Darmian. Our last matches since PSV has made this more than obvious. Darmian is certainly our future, and should thus be given the opportunity, but he is far from convincing.

 

[K2K]

You can´t get around the discussion of Valencia vs Darmian. Our last matches since PSV has made this more than obvious. Darmian is certainly our future, and should thus be given the opportunity, but he is far from convincing.

Thats the thing, neither are fullproof, the problem is that in this debate, neither side wants to concede that point. They are things which Valencia does well that Darmian doesnt and vice versa..

The problem is that a lot of people had themselves convinced that the arrival of Darmian was the end of Valencia. But you cant keep him down. I think Darmian has been overplayed this season, and having Valencia means we can rotate them well. All in all, United gains in the end.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

I'd give him a start on Sunday. That game vs CSKA was better than anything Darmian has produced this season going forward. Not talking about crossing as that was still inconsistent (though the cross for the goal was good), I'm talking about actually getting forward, basic passing and first touch - would rate him higher than Darmian in all of those areas.

Would play Darmian at left back as he should be able to handle Navas' pace

 

[criticalanalysis]

Valencia has to start to simply stop Sterling or De Bruyne. Darmian on the left I guess.

 

[Feedingseagulls]

God Andy Townsend is annoying in that clip. Gets paid to talk about football and unable to draw any connection between Valencia's reaction to a potential leg-breaker of a tackle and the fact he once had to look at his own foot pointing completely the opposite direction to the way it's supposed to.

This

 

[K2K]

As I expected, he starts..hope he has a great game.

 

[m1y2]

so poor our fullbacks these days, Valencia and Rojo. I wish Valencia ever start playing like in his Bale season

 

[Sigma]

Get behind him people and stop wrongly writing your own player of before he has even kicked a ball. Hope he does great today.

 

[lem8sh]

His pace will be crucial. His lack of defensive awareness could be disastrous.

 

[K2K]

Get behind him people and stop wrongly writing your own player of before he has even kicked a ball. Hope he does great today.

You are wasting your energy..let them moan.

 

[Ralph1386]

so poor our fullbacks these days, Valencia and Rojo. I wish Valencia ever start playing like in his Bale season

Quite a change from Shaw and Darmian at the beginning of the season. Oh well...

 

[Scarecrow]

Well, at least he's gonna have plenty of space, with Kolarov being their LB. Rooney will be delighted too.

 

[Lawman]

so poor our fullbacks these days, Valencia and Rojo. I wish Valencia ever start playing like in his Bale season

Darmain and Shaw are excellent and our two back ups Valencia and Rojo are more than capable!

 

[LeChuck]

His crossing is shite.

 

[JB08]

His crossing is shite.

He's only had one, the first was deflected.

Give the man a break.

 

[LeChuck]

He's only had one, the first was deflected.

Give the man a break.

First one was shite aswell. 2nd one was criminal.

 

[thejtrain]

I wish he had one more trick in his locker. For all his sprinting abilities, he's rubbish at everything else.

 

[VorZakone]

A physical beast but offensively lacks any talent at the moment to be threatening.

 

[Sigma]

He's been fine, you guys are far too critical.

 

[NinjaFletch]

He's been fine, you guys are far too critical.

As with the Rooney thread.

It's something of an aside, but Valencia's touch is incredible.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

He's been doing a great job.

 

[kouroux]

As with the Rooney thread.

It's something of an aside, but Valencia's touch is incredible.

It really is. Something he's never lost.

 

[Sied]

I'm not his biggest fan but he's been good so far. Clear to see why he was chosen ahead of Darmian to handle Sterling. He's dominated him in the strength department.

 

[Lawman]

It really is. Something he's never lost.

Always had a great touch and today he is being positive and taking men on the only thing is his crossing is erratic as usual. But playing well and forcing himself on Sterling well.

 

[ivaldo]

Defensively been sound.
He's destroyed anything threatening we've had on our right.

 

[Eugenius]

His strength and pace is obviously immense but I do worry about his positioning nous and how much is going down the right channel and causing danger. His crossing is meh, but that I can deal with.

 

[Cheesy]

He's been not too bad, looked threatening at times.

 

[FC Ronaldo]

Has done very well so far. If only he could cross well with much greater consistency