[jeff gurr]

Is he much worse than Matt Barnes? I don't think so. No reason why he can't have success at Leicester. He'll have less pressure and play in a more counter attacking team.

I'm really not sure who Matt Barnes is !
Leicester moved away from counter attacking quite a while ago.
Leicester are pushing for a top 4/6 finish so lots of pressure.
The reason he can't have success at Leicester is because he is a very limited football player.

 

[2 man midfield]

I still think he has a place here, obviously not as a starter but I think he offers more than the likes of Lingard.

 

[Abraxas]

I think he was one of the few disappointing players to be honest. Generally I'm not one of those that is always looking to deride him, I see some of his value as a tactical inclusion at times and I do think he is a fair squad player.

But this wasn't great showing because everybody else in an attacking sense managed to excel. The space was there to exploit, he had opportunities to score or provide something but fluffed his lines which is a usual theme. I think at this point we have to somewhat accept his play against defensive teams may leave a lot to be desired but it's not a good start that he couldn't perform against this Leeds side.

I expect his appearances will be even lower this season barring injuries.

 

[DRJosh]

His end product is painfully lacking. If he works on that part of his game, he will be a useful squad player. Having said that, I can't see him remaining in this squad next season if our options are further bolstered by new transfers.

 

[FrankWhite]

Who is matt barnes?

Sorry Harvey.

 

[Teja]

Sorry Harvey.

Was thinking the same thing. They feel very similar, the way they dribble, what they do when they get the ball etc

No reason why he can't produce a Harvey Barnes level of output.

 

[lex talionis]

James is a useful squad player for us, but I am disappointed he’s made no progress whatsoever in developing his game since his arrival at OT.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Not good enough. Hopefully Amad takes his place soon.

 

[Champ]

There is a big difference in being a nice lad trying his best and being of actual use. Based on perhaps 3-5 games he's had for us in his entire time this guy and some deluded posters think he's good enough for a squad player. He wasn't even amazing in those games he was good. He's simply way out of his dept. and those stats is an absolute coincidence and bad way to work with data. He had a run of games where we were still sorting out our team, and it was quite clearly a purple patch he was having without doing anything spectacular, then he didn't quite feature in big games all that much, and those games are much tougher to win other than cup games.

Also not losing in other ways said DRAWING is absolutely not an option to start with for MUFC, he's an attacking player and should provide goal moments to take us to victory, not keeping us from not losing.

Everyone who knows a bit of statistics and mathematics, can tell you that 38 draws mean 38 points and that's borderline relegation. Losing few games but winning more other than not losing is always always better and will get you closer to titles. So all this praise for his defensive attributes is a bit pointless. He provides pretty much nothing other than pressing and at his best he can find a cross maybe but his dribbling is bad, his speed overrated, his strength and ball covering subpar, his finishing shocking. Tackling nonexisting. I'd bet a lot that this is his last season here, but maybe his ambition won't be to play much football and develop rather than get good money here like Andreas and stay longer, but Pellistri, Amad, Elanga will replace him next year. That is quite certain..

Thank heavens you're not on the coaching staff

An international player who offers 'pretty much nothing'....

I suggest you watch him a bit closer with your obvious dislike of the player locked away.

Have a watch of his run during Greenwoods goal for example, have a look at Pogbas chance (who was the only player in the box?), he makes good runs, keeps things simple, works hard and defends from the front.
He's not a top player, but sometimes you don't need that on every position, he's a squad player and a very handy one at that.

 

[Escobar]

I still think he has a place here, obviously not as a starter but I think he offers more than the likes of Lingard.

In terms of what? Both are quick, have zero end product and work hard. Both should nowhere near close our starting XI, even the bench is questionable as both have little to none impact on the pitch

 

[2 man midfield]

In terms of what? Both are quick, have zero end product and work hard. Both should nowhere near close our starting XI, even the bench is questionable as both have little to none impact on the pitch

He’s useful on the counter, and against the right team can play a part. Lingard is basically a nothing player.

 

[OrcaFat]

I don’t think there’s any big deal in saying he’s out of his depth. If you want to go against the grain because you feel he is being attacked, consider that his minutes could be going towards developing youngsters who we’d like to think are going to make it here.

I do hope he gets a move to a decent club where he can grow into his role without the degrees of pressure and scrutiny he is under here. It remains to be seen whether he’ll make it in the PL, ultimately, but a drop down in clubs would guarantee him full games he will not get here outside of injury crises and lesser competitions.

These youngsters have to get into the team on merit not based on an idea that they will, one day, make it. The time to gift those guys minutes is in the cups, preferably when the game is won.

 

[Escobar]

He’s useful on the counter, and against the right team can play a part. Lingard is basically a nothing player.

Why is he useful on the counter? He can't really dribble or run with the ball, he does not create anything nor is he a good crosser or passer. If there is ever a nothing player, it's James.

 

[Bestietom]

Maybe not in the side but he's useful deeper in the squad. He's no way good enough to get regular league or Champions League games.

If you can make a good profit on him it's probably best to sell him but he's got some attributes that are hard to replace. Few players have both his stamina AND speed together and he seems a good lad. Most coaches love that and I think it could end up being a problem for Amad/Hannibal.

Both Amad and Hannibal have skill, and even without the speed of James, are far better and always will be better footballers than him. No good having speed and at the end of a run, not knowing what to do with the ball.
His decision making is schoolboy stuff, and running blind as he does, will get him injured before we can even sell him.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Is he much worse than Harvey Barnes? I don't think so. No reason why he can't have success at Leicester. He'll have less pressure and play in a more counter attacking team.

Harvey Barnes is twice the player of Dan James ffs people on here really are blinded by the red glasses arent they!

Who remembers the goal Barnes scored against us last season? no way can James do that on his weak foot.

Maybe you're getting him confused with Mark Albrighton?

 

[Drainy]

Fans really don't understand the 'horses for courses' make up of how squads actually work at most clubs.

Would it be better if he was a great technical player, of course, better is better but then would he be happy with a more limited role in the squad?

You need players who can consistently stretch defences in behind and press high up the pitch. Hopefully his composure and decision making improve, if not I'm sure someone like Elanga will take his place in the squad when ready.

 

[Mickson]

Fans really don't understand the 'horses for courses' make up of how squads actually work at most clubs.

Would it be better if he was a great technical player, of course, better is better but then would he be happy with a more limited role in the squad?

You need players who can consistently stretch defences in behind and press high up the pitch. Hopefully his composure and decision making improve, if not I'm sure someone like Elanga will take his place in the squad when ready.

Great teams often have players who can stretch teams yes, Barcelona had Pedro. The difference is Pedro scored close to 100 goals for Barca. James has 9 goals for United and mostly tap-ins in dead rubber games. NO OTHER team with top ambitions would have James in their squad. I can guarantee that.

 

[Fortitude]

These youngsters have to get into the team on merit not based on an idea that they will, one day, make it. The time to gift those guys minutes is in the cups, preferably when the game is won.

I don't think so; do you think Amad is that far behind James, for example?

Granted, James has an off the ball contribution and will run and track back, but it's offset by what he does on the ball and in his offensive phases. Amad I would think, is the opposite: possibly poorer off the ball but much better on it.

The thing with games like yesterday is James offensive contribution can be overlooked, but a few things go wrong in that same game, and his offensive contribution is heavily scrutinised rather than something being posted about rather casually in here.

I'd also say those minutes aren't gifts as they're important for development - unless James genuinely has a future here, his minutes are more throwaway than sharing them amongst others that do, imo, as he himself has a hell of a lot to work on and there's not much chance of him getting sufficient time to do so.

 

[UncleBob]

Have a watch of his run during Greenwoods goal for example, have a look at Pogbas chance (who was the only player in the box?), he makes good runs, keeps things simple, works hard and defends from the front.
He's not a top player, but sometimes you don't need that on every position, he's a squad player and a very handy one at that.

It was a counter attack, Pogba with the ball inside the box and both Bruno and Daniel James making runs into the box

In terms of his run for Greenwoods goal, not sure what you're looking for, James is making the only run he can make in that situation. What warrants praise?

In the example below, he pretty much makes the only run he shouldn't. There's plenty of examples from the first half that he's making daft runs where he's congesting the area that the player with the ball wants to run into, or simply that he's running somewhere he can't receive the ball and the player with the ball suddenly has no one to pass it to.

I don't mind James, but it is rather frustrating that he's so erratic when he gets the ball. Just a little bit of fine tuning and i reckon he'd be gold as a squad player that you can consistently rely on.

Like his chance in the 20th min, where he does make an excellent run in behind. As soon as you see the pass from Greenwood you want him to take a touch and hammer it at goal...Instead:

It's fairly bizarre to go from being in such a great position for a shot, to completely fecking everything up to the point that you're narrowing the angle towards goal and have to cross it.

 

[2 man midfield]

Why is he useful on the counter? He can't really dribble or run with the ball, he does not create anything nor is he a good crosser or passer. If there is ever a nothing player, it's James.

He can do all of those things. He’s worth keeping around just for games at the Etihad alone.

 

[In Rainbows]

He can do all of those things. He’s worth keeping around just for games at the Etihad alone.

No he can't. It's a myth that just because he's fast that he dribbles. Rarely does he dribble past players. He averages about 0.8-1 dribble per game since he's come to United. He's not exactly Traore who also has similar end product, but terrorizes the defense with his dribbling. He doesn't dribble as much as Rashford or Martial. Not even as much as Greenwood who is only 19 years old (usually dribbling improves in you hit your early 20s), and he's quite conservative in that respect.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Fans really don't understand the 'horses for courses' make up of how squads actually work at most clubs.

Would it be better if he was a great technical player, of course, better is better but then would he be happy with a more limited role in the squad?

You need players who can consistently stretch defences in behind and press high up the pitch. Hopefully his composure and decision making improve, if not I'm sure someone like Elanga will take his place in the squad when ready.

Why don't any of the other best clubs in the world have these horses for courses?

Name that player in PSG, Bayern, Real, Barca, Chelsea, City, Atletico, Juve etc.

Not one of them employ an attacker purely to run around like a lost dog. Yes hard work and effort is always required, but you need the end product to go with it.

No he can't. It's a myth that just because he's fast that he dribbles. Rarely does he dribble past players. He averages about 0.8-1 dribble per game since he's come to United. He's not exactly Traore who also has similar end product, but terrorizes the defense with his dribbling. He doesn't dribble as much as Rashford or Martial. Not even as much as Greenwood who is barely 19 years old (usually dribbling improves in you hit your early 20s), and he's quite conservative in that respect.

Whenever he tries to take somebody on, all they have to do is lean into him every so slightly and he falls over. He has no balance.

 

[In Rainbows]

Whenever he tries to take somebody on, all they have to do is lean into him every so slightly and he falls over. He has no balance.

Funnily enough, the person most people think is too small, Amad averaged 1.4 dribbles for United and he only started 2 out of 7 matches he's played in.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Funnily enough, the person most people think is too small, Amad averaged 1.4 dribbles for United and he only started 2 out of 7 matches he's played in.

That's because Amad is a strong little bugger, similar to Sterling. Size isn't really an issue as long as you have enough acceleration and strength to burst past somebody.

Honestly and i'm not just saying this to rag on James - how many times has he beat somebody 1 on 1? I can't remember him ever running passed from a standing start.

 

[roonster09]

Funnily enough, the person most people think is too small, Amad averaged 1.4 dribbles for United and he only started 2 out of 7 matches he's played in.

Yeah, also his per 90 mins stats is even better.

Amad has completed 10 dribbles and he played 258 mins in PL + Europa, that close to 3 full games. So he averages more than 3 dribbles per game.

Also Amad played only 167 mins in PL, that's less than 2 full games and his pressing stats is more than 25 per game, that's insane. It's skewed by sub appearances as playing 10 mins is different from playing full game. So checked his full game (Against Wolves), he pressed 30 times in 81 times, that's just awesome.

 

[We need an rvn]

I think he'd thrive in a team like Leeds to be honest. A squad player used in the right matches until either Amad gets another year under his belt and then I think we'll sell him and get out money back.

 

[Matt851]

Harvey Barnes is twice the player of Dan James ffs people on here really are blinded by the red glasses arent they!

Who remembers the goal Barnes scored against us last season? no way can James do that on his weak foot.

Maybe you're getting him confused with Mark Albrighton?

Yes its a bizarre comparison. The only similarity i see is that both are quick

 

[Champ]

It was a counter attack, Pogba with the ball inside the box and both Bruno and Daniel James making runs into the box

In terms of his run for Greenwoods goal, not sure what you're looking for, James is making the only run he can make in that situation. What warrants praise?

In the example below, he pretty much makes the only run he shouldn't. There's plenty of examples from the first half that he's making daft runs where he's congesting the area that the player with the ball wants to run into, or simply that he's running somewhere he can't receive the ball and the player with the ball suddenly has no one to pass it to.

I don't mind James, but it is rather frustrating that he's so erratic when he gets the ball. Just a little bit of fine tuning and i reckon he'd be gold as a squad player that you can consistently rely on.

Like his chance in the 20th min, where he does make an excellent run in behind. As soon as you see the pass from Greenwood you want him to take a touch and hammer it at goal...Instead:

It's fairly bizarre to go from being in such a great position for a shot, to completely fecking everything up to the point that you're narrowing the angle towards goal and have to cross it.

I disagree entirely with alot of the points you've raised.
You've obviously spent a lot of time on your analysis there, but alot of it appears to be clutching.

You ask what warrants praise....maybe the fact that he made that run and didn't stand still, that he anticipates that he may get the ball, that his first thought is to get into the box.

The same goes for the run you highlighted, he actually makes a similar run as Greenwood, which is the correct run, alas they both made the same one. The run has opened the space on the right but there is no overlap. Good run, just needed communication with or from Greenwood. (I think it's Greenwood anyhow)

His chance you've highlighted in the 20th minute, you think a confident James would hit that when he should have? I do.
We've seen him do that before. But alas, he constantly gets criticism for doing little wrong and I'm sure players can pick up on that.

 

[Escobar]

He can do all of those things. He’s worth keeping around just for games at the Etihad alone.

If he starts at Etihad, then we must have a serious injury crisis. James is extremely limited, yesterday was another example of that. Nothing positive came out from him.

 

[Bestietom]

Elanga is fast and skillful and will take his place soon.

 

[Escobar]

No he can't. It's a myth that just because he's fast that he dribbles. Rarely does he dribble past players. He averages about 0.8-1 dribble per game since he's come to United. He's not exactly Traore who also has similar end product, but terrorizes the defense with his dribbling. He doesn't dribble as much as Rashford or Martial. Not even as much as Greenwood who is only 19 years old (usually dribbling improves in you hit your early 20s), and he's quite conservative in that respect.

I wonder where that comes from. He literally never gets past a player, not even outsprinting them with the ball. And if he does, he just runs it out of play

 

[Reapersoul20]

The abuse and disrespect Dan James gets on here is fecking horrific. Every third post in the matchday thread was United fans abusing him, it's gotten to the point when it's fecking embarrassing.

United have now played 26 matches in a row with Daniel James on the pitch without losing. With all of last season+Leeds he has been on the pitch for 1703 minutes. The scoreline with him on the pitch is incredible 39-9. United lost 12 matches last season, James didnt play in any of the last 11 losses.

He may not be the best player in the world, but he could certainly be very good and he can contribute a lot to the team.

So stop being complete and total pricks and get behind the young fella'.

 

[Drainy]

Great teams often have players who can stretch teams yes, Barcelona had Pedro. The difference is Pedro scored close to 100 goals for Barca. James has 9 goals for United and mostly tap-ins in dead rubber games. NO OTHER team with top ambitions would have James in their squad. I can guarantee that.

Remember when we signed him? At the start of a squad rebalancing when we'd spent £130m on defense so limited budget for an attacking player, while also being unattractive to the most promising talents.

He has filled the role as required and if he steps up great, if not he's got the role for as long as it takes for someone else to step up and take it from him.

 

[Marcus]

James is a one-dimensional as they come. But, he is also a game-changer and headache to opposing managers with his devastating pace and work-rate. I would use him as a one-half player. Either start and tire out defenders for our quality players to come on. Or come on as a substitute to put already weary defenders to the sword. Also, his salary and initial cost was cheap. Doing well so far considering bang for buck.

 

[Mickson]

Remember when we signed him? At the start of a squad rebalancing when we'd spent £130m on defense so limited budget for an attacking player, while also being unattractive to the most promising talents.

He has filled the role as required and if he steps up great, if not he's got the role for as long as it takes for someone else to step up and take it from him.

I respect your opinion, but I disagree with that. I think Elanga, for example, can do the job as good now and better in the future. We can sell James and make money, thus finance a new CM buy.

 

[Bestietom]

I respect your opinion, but I disagree with that. I think Elanga, for example, can do the job as good now and better in the future. We can sell James and make money, thus finance a new CM buy.

Agree, and a few more should go with him. Only 2 weeks left in transfer window, so we need to get a move on and bring in a top defensive playmaker.

 

[Adam-Utd]

The abuse and disrespect Dan James gets on here is fecking horrific. Every third post in the matchday thread was United fans abusing him, it's gotten to the point when it's fecking embarrassing.

He's just that bad to watch unfortunately.

Lingard and Pereira had the same sort of abuse because they clearly weren't up to the level required.

I'm sure everybody here appreciates he's hard working and runs plenty, but that's not enough to be an attacker at the top level. I think he'd be perfect as a wingback for a team that plays a 3-5-2/3-4-3 formation. He will find a role at a mid table club somewhere that needs his work rate more than his footballing skills.

I suspect though with Cavani returning soon we will only see him in the cups or when injury/rotation is needed.

 

[RedSky]

I'll keep saying it, nothing against the lad as he seems like a proper decent fella. But this is simply a level too high for him, he has zero end product and for a top team you need players like James to at least be able to make a proper pass or cross. He's very frustrating because if he worked on the end product and got it more consistent he'd be a decent player. But there's been no improvement since he came here. It's only a matter of time before he gets displaced by our other younger lads. I think it's probably accurate that unless he evolves his game this will probably be his last season at United.

 

[RedKnight88]

The only problem I have with Daniel James is that he has not improved at all. He had a great start and seemed like a bargain. But he hasn't done much else since.
But, we're not going to sell him, all we can do is try limit his game time.
Hopefully by next season Elanga, Amad, Shoretire will challenge him a lot more.

 

[Drainy]

I respect your opinion, but I disagree with that. I think Elanga, for example, can do the job as good now and better in the future. We can sell James and make money, thus finance a new CM buy.

Possibly. I'm sure the coaching staff are carefully appraising the role Elanga will play this season and if it would be better to loan him out like it sounds like with Amad.

There is no doubt both are better players technically and also put a shift in but need consistent football at a decent standard to kick on.