He is one of the main reasons Ajax became champions three times in a row. De Boer changed him into a holding midfielder exactly because of the calming presence you mentioned. He compensates his lack of pace with excellent tactical awareness and therefore he is always one step ahead of his direct opponent/opposition. 4 years ago when he came back from his loan spell at Groningen he became a scape goat and the public opinion around him ( here in the Netherlands, especially the Ajax fanbase) was a bit cruel and now here he is bossing the midfield at United.
17
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 29
- Clean sheets
- 9
- Goals
- 2
- Assists
- 3
- Yellow cards
- 4
He is one of the main reasons Ajax became champions three times in a row. De Boer changed him into a holding midfielder exactly because of the calming presence you mentioned. He compensates his lack of pace with excellent tactical awareness and therefore he is always one step ahead of his direct opponent/opposition. 4 years ago when he came back from his loan spell at Groningen he became a scape goat and the public opinion around him ( here in the Netherlands, especially the Ajax fanbase) was a bit cruel and now here he is bossing the midfield at United.
Considering his importance to the team and ability, I'd still categorize it as cheap. I doubt you can find anyone like him for the price we paid.
Lets put it this way, if Spurs bought him last summer and he played as he has for us, then next summer we tried to buy him they'd be telling us it'd cost £30 million.
So yes a bargain.
So yes a bargain.
My MOTM today. Thought he was excellent.
Yep, that's spot on mate.
His time, performances and positional change at Ajax under De Boer were discussed at length on the Caf during the summer transfer window and a lot of what you said came up at a time. Just hoping he further brings that totaalvoetbal mentality and success to United in terms of domestic and European silverware like papa Danny did for Van Gaal's Ajax.
With Rojo looking solid recently ...all LVG's signings are starting to look like winners apart from Herrera who possibly was more of a Moyes signing that LVG picked up on.....but Herrera for sure could become outstanding too but I am not sure LVG rates him after having a proper look at him
Jesus, you'll offend plenty with that statement
Let's make a prediction: He'll end up this season as our 2nd best player only behind de Gea.
For me, he is already our best performer of all outfield players this season.
For me, he is already our best performer of all outfield players this season.
he had a great game, this matches really suits him when he can get on the ball a lot and sorta dictate the play from the back. He can play through balls too. BUt I guess much better oppositions will come and we will play away from home so he needs to show it at that time.. but improvement on Carrick for sure. Still we need at least one defensive midfielder..
does great against the weakest side in the league suddenly becomes the best player.. logic
What a player
If he can manage what he's showed us today on the road, we'll have some midfielder on our hands. He clearly thrives when he's been given space.
It's remarkable how quickly he has slotted back in after his injury, straight in to the starting XI without any sub appearances and has put in a couple of excellent performances.
He's been great all season. And the season was what he was talking about, not one game.
Saw him as a good depth signing but he really has impressed in midfield, think he should be starting most of our matches and paired with Carrick in the tougher ones
I'm thinking of leaving my wife and kid for him
I agree it wasn't his only good game, played well whenever used as CDM but as I mentioned above tougher opposition will come, they will press higher and so on. He is very comfortable in games like this passing around when no pressure on him, Carrick would have a good game as well today as he is also rather passing DM than tackler.
Anyway Blind won good number of challenges and I liked him but I don't want to get carried away. We need another CDM to make competition for Blind as Carrick has got possibly the last season in him next year..
Except that he was excellent in pretty much every game he played against any opponent.
Need to sign a midfielder to compliment him in the summer. It's clear Blind is the future #6 in our midfield. Get a more powerful box to box option and we'll be set.
Been very impressed with Blind so far. I still think Carrick is the better of the two, but Carrick will be 34 in the summer, and should be treated as so.
What's bizarre is Herrera - Blind midfield sounds on paper great, yet Herrera is constantly benched.
Been very impressed with Blind so far. I still think Carrick is the better of the two, but Carrick will be 34 in the summer, and should be treated as so.
What's bizarre is Herrera - Blind midfield sounds on paper great, yet Herrera is constantly benched.
Fantastic game and he is without doubt our best signing from the summer, certainly on a £/talent basis.
To back-up my words, these are comments after the City game earlier in the season:
Post Chelsea game:
Of course, there were few negative comments inbetween, but majority of people is happy with him throughout the whole season, not just after the game against worst team in the league. He's been excellent this season taking everything into account.
Post Chelsea game:
Of course, there were few negative comments inbetween, but majority of people is happy with him throughout the whole season, not just after the game against worst team in the league. He's been excellent this season taking everything into account.
I prefer him there to Carrick. He's more dynamic and a more adventurous passer. I'm not sure yet if he's quite as solid defensively, although his tackling and interception stats would suggest he's fine in that regard.
Pogba?
He has been a cracking buy, proving he is our best holding player at the club.
He was poor against Cambridge and that was last week.
excellent is exaggerating, really man
This was his best performance and made another when he could be awarded MOTM it is true but apart that he was just about good and had some average games at LB/LWB, he has the consistency tho, so I'm starting to like him..
That's who I'd want, but think we will go all out for Strootman
I would have been happy with Strootman before his latest injury setback. Need to see how he recovers now.
This is exactly why the Carrick injury news isn't too bad. Cracking player, perfectly suited to the philosophy.
Pressing doesn't bother him at all though, he's absolutely comfortable in taking possession surrounded by players
He seriously deserves better midfield partners. A defensively sound box-to-box midfielder and another very creative one with a good goal-threat would make the perfect 3 imo.
I don't know where to find it but I'm almost sure he has better defensive stats than Carrick. I think that the difference attacking-wise when he is at the base of midfield is much bigger.
Disappointed that I missed the match. I love watching him play.
f**king brilliant player.
best signing of last summer imo. remember being more excited about his signing than di maria.
best signing of last summer imo. remember being more excited about his signing than di maria.
And in his thread the comments pointed out that it was by far his worst game for us yet, and even then it was only below average. He's been consistently one of our best players in nearly every game.
Had a great game, I think
He played left back in that game.