I think he's struggling out there because of the lack of movement in and around him. He isn't going to create a goal himself, he excels in finding that killer pass and if that pass isn't on he's somewhat blunted.
25
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 22
- Clean sheets
- 10
- Goals
- 0
- Assists
- 4
- Yellow cards
- 1
- Status
I don't care what anyone says but I think he's still good enough for us. Though, more of a defensive player than an offensive one strangely.
True - but even still he does need to take more chances, as do all our players... unfortunately I think thats more to do with our style/LVG ball then it is the indviduals themselves.
But take the first half yesterday, thanks in large part to having Fellaini up front, I think it was possibly the worst movement we've had all season from our forward players, and that's saying something. There were no runs being made for anyone to make through-balls for... so god knows what we were expected to create. Any chances were obviously going to come through individual excellence (which came in the second half through Young and Martial) or Liverpool defensive errors (them gifting us the ball in dangerous areas in the first half / the penalty) - and so it told by the end of the day.
The thing, is people have attached this "he just turns and pass it 5/10 yards backwards" inside thing to Mata as a staple, despite the fact that EVERYONE does it. Literally, all our forward players are guilty of doing it (if anyone thinks Valencia wouldn't do the same thing - but worse, is thinking way too highly of Antonio Valencia)... and in fact, it was Herrera who was the main culprit of this yesterday, who received the ball numerous times on the turn and could easily have moved the ball into dangerous areas - either through a pass or dribbling - and still went backwards. Depay was also doing it too, the only difference there was that he kept losing the ball.
But yeah, when Ander Herrera is your main culprit for turning backwards, then its clearly from being under instruction...
It just goes to show how much better the team is when you play everyone in the correct position.
Our best performances under LVG came last season during the Liverpool, Totenham games.
I agree that's why he needs to be played centrally rather than right of a three where he is found wanting. I'll stick to my guns I'd rather have Valencia or Young in there than Mata. I'd like to see Mata at 10 but I also like Herrera there.
I wouldn't be against this because they are both very orthdox players and could link up/compliment each other well. However, with the way the team is set up, Valencia's lack of game time (let alone build an understanding with Darmian) etc we're not sure whether this will be a realistic opportunity or good idea.
The thing is though, he's a Utd stalwart. Last year we all lamented Young (myself massively) and Valencia for them being in the team and underperforming-to-our-expectations but we absolutely have to keep them and integrate for the long season.
Although a little surprised, I was not against LVG's decision to sub off Depay for Young and it worked. Young and Valencia are capable of changing the flow of the game not through their ability but rather their styles and it shouldn't be underestimated what their professionalism and experience can help when we are deep into the year.
Every time he 'smashes it against a defender's shins' he wins us a corner. Crosses aren't always on, so that's often the best option. I don't get the hate this guy receives.
Valencia is almost Solskjaer-esque with his attitude. I love him. It's disappointing that there are United fans who don't.
Valencia is almost Solskjaer-esque with his attitude. I love him. It's disappointing that there are United fans who don't.
"The best option" - So you think he smashes them in to the defenders on purporse?
Now this is new...Unbelievable
Have you never seen a player kick the ball against the opponent in order to win a throw in, or a goalkick, or a corner? Happens all the time.
PSV 2:1 Man Utd
Couldn't seem to make his mind up whether he wanted to go forwards or backwards the one time he had the ball.
How often do we score from corners?
He was absolutely terrified of using his left foot.
Lingard>>Valencia
Can't believe we're back to using Valencia as an attacking option. Deary deary me, what must Lingard, Perraira and Wilson be thinking?
The moment where he couldn't decide what to do, turned back a few times, then just ended up tripping himself over, pretty much sums up his attacking capabilities these days.
He's woeful.
The moment where he couldn't decide what to do, turned back a few times, then just ended up tripping himself over, pretty much sums up his attacking capabilities these days.
He's woeful.
i wasn't able to watch yesterday, but was he actually subbed on to play as a winger/forward/attacking player?
... if the answer is yes, may i already say "surely you jest?"
... if the answer is yes, may i already say "surely you jest?"
Not going to be too harsh on him, he was thrown into a situation in which he was never going to be successful. Blame LvG for putting him on if anything.
He's not a player who can break down compact teams, he should come on or play when we are on the counter attack, or are winning by a goal where he can stretch teams and then you will see his best.
Southampton 2:3 Man Utd
He's on at RB. Hope he can show he's a good option there.
I'm a big critic of his but he has done well since coming on.
He's been great. Darmian has looked tired recently.
Was very good when he came on today. Darmian has looked tired these last 2 games so it's nice to have someone to rotate with him.
Did well when he came on, but sort of like Romero in goal you sense there's a feck up around the corner waiting.
Darmian was poor too against psv so pleased to see Valencia looking pretty good today
He will obviously play again Wednesday and darmian to return next weekend
He will obviously play again Wednesday and darmian to return next weekend
Was good today. Offers width which lets Mata shine more.
Valencia+ Mata has always been a good combo... Nice to know we have good cover in RB when Darmian isn't performing or is fatigued.
He was a bit all over the place in the first 5 minutes or so. Seemed like a dog off the lead, just chasing the ball. He settled into the game though, and did well. I'm not a fan of changing the back four during a game unless it's for an injury, and Southampton flew out of the blocks in the 2nd half, straight down our right, so it was difficult for him to feel his way into the game.
Decent performance. Very solid in the tackle, and he does really well when playing out from the back in tight spaces. His technique when the ball is coming to him is very underrated. You could shoot the ball out of a cannon at him and he would control it.
Should definitely play midweek, and give Darmian a well deserved rest.
Decent performance. Very solid in the tackle, and he does really well when playing out from the back in tight spaces. His technique when the ball is coming to him is very underrated. You could shoot the ball out of a cannon at him and he would control it.
Should definitely play midweek, and give Darmian a well deserved rest.
Playing him at RB frees up Darmian to fill in at LB if necessary.
Did well after coming on tonight for a struggling Darmian. That's exactly what you want from a squad player, just like Young last week after coming on against Liverpool. Great to see these two continuing to prove their worth to the squad.
Yeah fair fecks to him. He was really good when he came on.
I told you he was good.
If Tony will be constantly building the form we may have to send Darmian to the left side perhaps.
Next weeks will be extremely interesting how we'll set our team deeper into season.
Next weeks will be extremely interesting how we'll set our team deeper into season.
Really liked his performance today. One of his harshest critics so I guess I have made Valencia's day. Celebrate buddy.
Very pleased with his performance, not least because it gives Mata more freedom to drift. After a few examples of Mata showing danger when drifting into the middle during the first half, I'd imagine LvG made the substitution specifically with this in mind.
I said it before, if we're going to play someone like Mata on the right, who likes to drift into the middle, we need an attacking right back, and Valencia is much more suited to that role than Darmian, although Darmian is superb defensively.
Think when we're playing against teams that are going to sit behind the ball, we should play Valencia. He's gives a much better outlet than Darmian.
Think when we're playing against teams that are going to sit behind the ball, we should play Valencia. He's gives a much better outlet than Darmian.
Did very well. Nothing silly.
Was solid when he came on, nothing spectacular but that's what we needed
Beast-Mode
Agree.
- Status