Herrera at Holding

I think people have to look at the on ball qualities the holding midfielders give us. You look at all the big teams, and their holding midfielders can help control games with their ability, so we can't just put some random clogger at the back who is great defensively but nothing special on the ball. Blind can possibly do it once we put Smalling in the back, but he seemed to lack the proper midfield awareness whenever he played there and just reads the game better in defence. Herrera over Schneiderlin for me because of those qualities on the ball. It's not really even a lack of ability from Schneiderlin, but it's the mental side that I don't think he's suited to it.

Herrera is better on the ball but nothing special and not a controlling midfielder, he's certainly not someone that dictactes play, he's someone you want pressing, further forward, linking up play etc, Schneiderlin is better at reading the game defensively & he's more than competent as a passer. Since we don't have someone that can dictate play from deep, let's not pretend Herrera is that person, I think we're better off with someone with defensive qualities as priority. Ideally, I'll have Schneiderlin, Herrera & Pogba in a midfield 3.
 
He was careless in possession and gifted dangerous attacking opportunities to the opposition. Not what I want to see from a deep lying player.

I would give everyone a clean slate after the last debacle. He seemed to do the job fine for Bilbao. I can't believe that everyone just turned crap or forgot how to do the basics at once. The players were not collectively right in the head. We can't judge players on the one game they played badly otherwise following that logic we can say that most of them shouldn't play off the back of the last 3 seasons. If it's true that AH said that JM sees him in that role then let's see if it comes off this season, he's only had a few minutes so far. I am optimistic that with the better quality around him this time around things will click.
 
Really surprised you lot didn't go for Kante. I think if you'd started with this three in midfield against us it could have been a different game:

Kante
Herrera pogba
 
Comparing Carrick to Fernandinho for example, much better passer but nowhere near as good defensively. With Pogba and another AM I think we need a better defensive player in there than Carrick.

Yes, which is why I think it should be Schneiderlin rather than Herrera.
 
Meanwhile, Julian Weigl is one we must keep an eye on. Fantastic ball-playing, controlling DM, in the mould of Sergio Busquets.
 
Really surprised you lot didn't go for Kante. I think if you'd started with this three in midfield against us it could have been a different game:

Kante
Herrera pogba

Some thought Kante would be Mourinho's wet dream and we would be in for that price, but it didnt happen. I also thought we would get a DM in August, presumably Fabinho (who is also a RB), but it did never happen. Now Schweinsteiger is degraded, Carrick hasnt been in the squad for weeks and Schneiderlin sitting on the bench for 99% of the time, it does look indeed very unbalanced.

But then again with Rooney in AM, we only have one spot besides Pogba, which is again enough for the other midfielders. But a midfield 2 doesnt suit anybody in our midfield, everybody would look better in a midfield 3, except for Rooney. So i thought that Mou never bought a DM, because he wants to play a 4231, which is something i dont want to see.
 
Some thought Kante would be Mourinho's wet dream and we would be in for that price, but it didnt happen. I also thought we would get a DM in August, presumably Fabinho (who is also a RB), but it did never happen. Now Schweinsteiger is degraded, Carrick hasnt been in the squad for weeks and Schneiderlin sitting on the bench for 99% of the time, it does look indeed very unbalanced.

But then again with Rooney in AM, we only have one spot besides Pogba, which is again enough for the other midfielders. But a midfield 2 doesnt suit anybody in our midfield, everybody would look better in a midfield 3, except for Rooney. So i thought that Mou never bought a DM, because he wants to play a 4231, which is something i dont want to see.

Rooney really needs to be a squad player at best. I thought Mou would have the balls to drop me, maybe he will but can't believe he's starting for you.
 
Herrera sees himself in that position. Jose sees himself in that position. So let's see him play in that position.
 
He's inconsistent when he tries to force chances for others. If he can make this holding midfield position his own, he won't need to do that. Having Pogba in the side would help, too.
 
Is Schneiderlin injured or something? I'd like to see a trio of Schneiderlin, Herrera and Pogba. Schneiderlin has a lot to prove but providing Jose can get then playing all to their level that's a pretty solid three I think.
 
He's inconsistent when he tries to force chances for others. If he can make this holding midfield position his own, he won't need to do that. Having Pogba in the side would help, too.
Yeah. I guess I just keep thinking back to that Chelsea game when he ran the game for us and played a completely different style then his normal role of running all over and just doing quick short passes. We'll see how Mourinho uses him but he used him as the deepest midfielder in every appearance so far so he might be thinking the same.
 
I just want us to play half a dozen games with a 3 man midfield, I don't see Herrera as a holding CM long term, certainly not in a 2.

Meanwhile, Julian Weigl is one we must keep an eye on. Fantastic ball-playing, controlling DM, in the mould of Sergio Busquets.

This is the player we need to get next summer, sit him behind Pogba and Herrera and we'd be in business.
 
Wonder what does Jose see in Ander as deeper midfield role?
 
I feel like this is his best position. He's got great tenacity which is needed for such a high tempo league. Fellaini doesn't influence the game enough as he should and Pogba is not a DM, instead, take Fellaini out and replace him with Mata then push Pogba and Mata further up the pitch with Herrera as the sole DM. This will lead to us having greater influence in the middle of the pitch and will allow Pogba the freedom he needs to do whatever he wants. Mata would be there for his ball retention and ability to strike quick passes which Fellaini is not good at.

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Blind Shaw
Herrera
Mkhitaryan Mata Pogba Martial
Zlatan

Anyone think differently?

Such a offensive midfields. There is not enough balanced. I can see us giving away so many fouls in dangerous area as well.
 
He was good at first half and also the only player who gave feck. What are you on about? Did you even watch the first half?
Context, man. I'm not talking about replacing Felli. I'm talking about having a hard working CM behind him and Pogba against teams that have a midfield that can match us.

Morgan was bought for that purpose but, right now, I'd place Ander behind Felli and Pogba against any top team that could over run us in midfield.
 
Context, man. I'm not talking about replacing Felli. I'm talking about having a hard working CM behind him and Pogba against teams that have a midfield that can match us.

Morgan was bought for that purpose but, right now, I'd place Ander behind Felli and Pogba against any top team that could over run us in midfield.

Yea sorry mate, I thought you were talking about replacing Fellaini with Herrera. And ignoring Fellaini's contribution and went straight to Morgan.
 
Context, man. I'm not talking about replacing Felli. I'm talking about having a hard working CM behind him and Pogba against teams that have a midfield that can match us.

Morgan was bought for that purpose but, right now, I'd place Ander behind Felli and Pogba against any top team that could over run us in midfield.
I agree to that, but I think Carrick is the best option actually. I wouldn't be against Mensah having a go at it.
Herrera is not good at defending. The fouls at West Ham last season. The goal we conceded against Bournemouth on the final day when he stopped in mid stride inexplicably and let the opposing winger hit the byline unopposed are just examples that stick in my mind. I've nothing against Herrera as a link player going forward, but in no way shape or form do I condone deploying him as our deepest mid.
I also think the OP has a grudge against Fellaini and it affects his judgement.
 
I feel like this is his best position. He's got great tenacity which is needed for such a high tempo league. Fellaini doesn't influence the game enough as he should and Pogba is not a DM, instead, take Fellaini out and replace him with Mata then push Pogba and Mata further up the pitch with Herrera as the sole DM. This will lead to us having greater influence in the middle of the pitch and will allow Pogba the freedom he needs to do whatever he wants. Mata would be there for his ball retention and ability to strike quick passes which Fellaini is not good at.

De Gea
Valencia Bailly Blind Shaw
Herrera
Mkhitaryan Mata Pogba Martial
Zlatan

Anyone think differently?
I think Mourinho's comments so far have shown he'll make selections based on tactics fitting the opponent. A reasonable post--though I don't agree--but probably too rigid/specific for the realities of squad rotation and varied opponents.

Those tactics/that formation would give up a lot of shots on goal. I remember everyone loving the United midfield despite that...then the infamous 1-6 defeat to City happened.
 
Surely that can be coached into him to make him stay back.
Its hard to coach something like that into a player. People tend to move around the pitch naturally and then end up in a position because they fulfill that role naturally. Hes been put in there to do a job and hes done it for 45 minutes. Thats completely different to going into that position and playing it week in week out, eventually the natural instinct kicks in and you end up being punished because your player has left their position.

I agree with with the others though he could play in CM with another 2 players. Not in a 2 man midfield though.
 
Very promising performance so far from him. Wasn't sure he would be suited to playing as the deepest midfielder but he's nailed it today.
He's had quite a lot of space but he still makes sure he does everything quickly.

Always liked him, hopefully he can get a good run in the team and crack on.
 
He hasnt got the passing or a Carrick or the physical presence of Fellaini but he offers us good movement and energy
 
He hasnt got the passing or a Carrick or the physical presence of Fellaini but he offers us good movement and energy

He has the best mix of attributes without excelling in one particular thing. He's been good today.
 
He is quality in that position. Maybe you want more mid against top opposition or more hectic games, but he should be starting always.
 
He is a machine. He never stops running and he can play good football as well. Great player to have in the midfield whatever the formation.
 
Can't say ive ever looked at Herrera and thought he should be playing as a Defensive Midfielder.

Don't get me wrong he is one of my favourite players at united, but his strenghs are his passing and movement, not his tackling and defensive positioning.

But after the first 20 Mins(where we still looked ropey in that area) he did his job well, sat in front of the back four and protected them and gave Pogba freedom to roam.

Still think we will come unstuck when playing against a team with decent number 10.
 
Apart from his work rate, he has a good shot on him too. Lovely lovely player.

When we bought Schneiderlin I thought we were going to at least have a footballer who play like how Ander had played today. Apparently not, not yet I hope.
 
When I saw the lineup I didn't think Herrera and Pogba without a more defensive player in midfield (like Blind, Carrick or even Morgan) would work. I got a pleasant surprise as that was a great performance.
 
Herrera holding against a physical side like Stoke, for instance?