That doesn't look great on paper to me. Schweinsteiger has shown very little ability at being able to play attacking passes to be able to play like that. Neither Schneiderlin or Schweinsteiger would offer enough an attacking threat leaving it to Ander who just isn't good enough to do that and as you say Mata is better so there would be no point playing that line-up imo.He's an 8, preferably in a 433 when we signed Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin I thought we'd play
---------Schneiderlin-------
Herrera--------------Basti
Which is great on paper, however I don't think it's been tried yet. Mata is the better #10 IMO.
He wasn't their best. Iturraspe, Aduriz and Muniain were all better.
Fact is he had an inconsistent, up down time at Athletic Club, just like at Man Utd. There's always an excuse for him when he's not performing though for some reason.
That doesn't look great on paper to me. Schweinsteiger has shown very little ability at being able to play attacking passes to be able to play like that. Neither Schneiderlin or Schweinsteiger would offer enough an attacking threat leaving it to Ander who just isn't good enough to do that and as you say Mata is better so there would be no point playing that line-up imo.
As you say I agree he is best in a 433 but we don't have anyone to play the opposite side 8. Thus, we are better playing Mata and playing two deeper midfielders. Ander can do this too but he'd have to play alongside Carrick, maybe Schweinsteiger but not Schneiderlin as neither Ander or Schneiderlin are capable of controlling games like Carrick.
He doesn't fit into the current formation.
He isn't a #10, and he isn't a #6 for the double pivot. If we played 4-3-3 he'd be brilliant as one of the #8s.
In the mean time, I'd have him starting next to Carrick depending on opposition, harder opposition Morgan, weaker sides Herrera.
Done. he's a good squad player who could do a job in a lot of top teams, he hasn't achieved what was expected of him though in terms of taking our first 11 to a more competitive standard with the rest in europe., and for 31m pounds that really what we should have got.Good player. Very overrated in here.
Who are the likes of Fellaini? Just Fellaini, none of our other midfielders are dominant aerially. Fellaini has started 14 matches in all competitions while Blind has started 33 so no, I'm going to say that isn't true at all.My 2 cents:
Mata is currently way better an alternative to Herrera at No.10 role.
That leaves the CM spot for him to fight for as first eleven. Those that just look at the midfield and scratch their head at why Herrera is not starting are not looking at the whole picture. The reason why Herrera is not starting is NOT because of Fellaini Carrick Schweinsteiger or Schneiderlin. He is not starting because of Blind. With Blind at centre back, you lose a position that is required for aerial domination, therefore you will need to compensate by sacrificing another position with the likes of Fellaini. It was so apparent against Southampton and that is why we lost instead of scratching out a bore draw. This is what they call a domino effect.
If we do get a centre back like Vidic to pair up with Smalling, then Herrera will have no problems slotting into the CM role with Carrick, Schweinsteiger or Schneiderlin.
It is painfully obvious. And it is painfully frustrating that we have no solutions to this. The only solution is the transfer market, where we either get a commanding centre back whom can also play ball, or get a Yaya Toure type player (in his prime).
Carrick, Schneiderlin, even Schweinsteiger? With Blind, it means you need an extra man that can head the ball, and Herrera is not that man. Listen to Van Gall when he say balance of the team.Who are the likes of Fellaini? Just Fellaini, none of our other midfielders are dominant aerially. Fellaini has started 14 matches in all competitions while Blind has started 33 so no, I'm going to say that isn't true at all.
It is not that simple. How much many possession did he keep with long ball to his chest? If Herrera had played, one cannot guarantee we would've the style we played. If you pay attention to the last 10 mins when Herrera is subbed on, you know what I mean. It was like the game against Southampton all over again.He should be playing instead of Fellaini. The way we played on Tuesday would've suited him perfectly, finding space, picking up the ball and moving it quickly.
He could start from a deeper position around Carrick and move forward when we're in possession and link up with Mata. For me his best position is more of a box to box midfielder, not a number 10. He is our most complete midfielder in terms of what he brings to the team both attacking and defensively.
Precisely. I love Blind, but with a proper centre back, even Blind can play CM.His form is poor but he would be a better option than Fellaini. If we replaced Blind with a proper CB we wouldn't need Fellaini as much for set pieces.
It is not that simple. How much many possession did he keep with long ball to his chest? If Herrera had played, one cannot guarantee we would've the style we played. If you pay attention to the last 10 mins when Herrera is subbed on, you know what I mean. It was like the game against Southampton all over again.
He isn't a play-maker. He's a hard working, box to box midfielder and is very good at that role.
When he's played alongside Carrick I believe we've played around 10 games and won every single one of them.
Citation needed.
I'm not sure he is a very good box to box player. In fact to say he is is nonsense. His goal and assist stats are poor and his defensive play is too eratic and high risk in the wrong areas for me. He's ok at a few things but not stand out great at anything beyond being quite likeable.
Last season games with Carrick & Herrera started in midfield:
Man Utd 2 - Stoke 1
Man Utd 3 - Spurs 0
Man Utd 2 - Liverpool 1
Man Utd 3 - Aston Villa 1
Man Utd 4 - Man City 2
Played a difficult 5 games and won all 5
This season I believe it's played 3, won 2, but he's been playing in a playmaker role which isn't suited to him.
I'm also not sure how you could say his goal and assists record is poor for a box to box player... In the Premier League last season he scored or assisted 10 goals in 1869 minutes... A goal or assist every other game which was the same as Mata, RVP and Rooney who were given far more attacking freedom.
I really feel that LVG has coached a lot of his natural instincts out of his game. When he first arrived he was positive with every touch whether it be a through pass or a first touch that takes him away from his marker, unfortunately this made him a risky player and this in turn meant he lost possession. Now as we know LVG is possession mad so he coached Herrera to be less adventurous.
In recent games he has looked a shell of the player that first arrived and I think people should go watch some early highlights just to reaffirm how good he really is. I also tend to agree with those saying he isn't a number 10 per say and is more of a number 8 but the coaching is 100% the biggest factor in his game.
Still believe that with a different manager he could be a world class player because he really does have a brilliant, engine and class technique, Mourinho would have a field day with Herrera.
Yep I remember the very same game and I think that's what people are forgetting all too quickly. I agree that currently he looks a million miles from that player, but that Herrera was one of the most dynamic midfielders Utd have had for 10 years. I distinctly remember him taking a high ball out of the air with a cruyf turn and thinking, now that is what we have been missing. I can't help but feel now that we need that player back but unfortunately we don't have a chance while LVG is at the helmI was at the game at the Rose Bowl when Herrera made his debut for United. And while I acknowledge that it was pre-season against an MLS team Herrera was sensational, cutting LA Galaxy to ribbons like Scholes dicing up Everton. I mean Anthony Martial sensational.
And he actually started the season proper quite well. But Louis eventually imposed the philosophy in mid-season after the Leicester City match (not long after which we started to turn to shit) and he and the squad haven't been the same since.
Yep I remember the very same game and I think that's what people are forgetting all too quickly. I agree that currently he looks a million miles from that player, but that Herrera was one of the most dynamic midfielders Utd have had for 10 years. I distinctly remember him taking a high ball out of the air with a cruyf turn and thinking, now that is what we have been missing. I can't help but feel now that we need that player back but unfortunately we don't have a chance while LVG is at the helm
He'll be back in Spain soon. Maybe even at his old club. Kagawa/Sahin-style.
Not good enough, and I don't see any of the serious managers building serious teams actually making him a part of their regular first eleven.
Same as his mate, Mata.
Last season games with Carrick & Herrera started in midfield:
Man Utd 2 - Stoke 1
Man Utd 3 - Spurs 0
Man Utd 2 - Liverpool 1
Man Utd 3 - Aston Villa 1
Man Utd 4 - Man City 2
Played a difficult 5 games and won all 5
This season I believe it's played 3, won 2, but he's been playing in a playmaker role which isn't suited to him.
I'm also not sure how you could say his goal and assists record is poor for a box to box player... In the Premier League last season he scored or assisted 10 goals in 1869 minutes... A goal or assist every other game which was the same as Mata, RVP and Rooney who were given far more attacking freedom.
Stoke and Villa at home are difficult? And not ten games.
