James Ducker: United prepared to listen to offers for Smalling

[flappyjay]

This might not be entirely true as we are down to the bare bones. If all were fit and able to play, then I would have put money on Bailly and Rojo starting.

But if he does not start Jones on Wednesday wouldn't that say he trusts Smalling more ? Thus the most likely to be sold in that scenario would be Jones would it not?

 

[el3mel]

He'd probably do well at Arsenal alongside Koscielny. Smalling was at his best playing a high line under LVG - he has incredible pace for a centre back and is phenomenal defending one on one situations, and Koscielny would be able to do a lot of the ball playing for him. With his aerial dominance too, he'd compliment Koscielny well.

He can't play in Mourinho's deeper system, as he's caught out too frequently in terms of positioning.

Wenger wanted him before so I have no problem if we let him go there. Whatever he suited their style or not, they're probably the only top 6 team that doesn't make a threat on the top of the table whatever they buy as long as Arsene is managing them.

 

[shield]

So you want to sell what you see as a backup defender so that we can sign another back up defender. Seems pretty pointless to me.

If we buy him, he will mostly be second choice, after Rojo and Bailey. Now, given the number of games we will be playing we can still expect him to play plenty of matches.

He is far better than Smalling's with the ball, and is quite good in the air. He would definitely be an upgrade over Smalling. He is also a youth player and will give his all for the club.

If CB would have been the only area which needed strengthning then, yes, thinking getting the best is fine. We however need to focus on other areas as well and we already have a good CB pairing. We just need a CB who can play well but will mostly be 2nd choice.

I feel we should not be against resigning him, if the fee is right.

 

[wolvored]

But if he does not start Jones on Wednesday wouldn't that say he trusts Smalling more ? Thus the most likely to be sold in that scenario would be Jones would it not?

No I dont think he trusts either one, so whoever he picks wouldnt indicate hes selling one or the other to me, as he would probably like to shift both imo. As I said I dont think he would pick either if he could have Bailly and Rojo

 

[Keeps It tidy]

If we buy him, he will mostly be second choice, after Rojo and Bailey. Now, given the number of games we will be playing we can still expect him to play plenty of matches.

He is far better than Smalling's with the ball, and is quite good in the air. He would definitely be an upgrade over Smalling. He is also a youth player and will give his all for the club.

If CB would have been the only area which needed strengthning then, yes, thinking getting the best is fine. We however need to focus on other areas as well and we already have a good CB pairing. We just need a CB who can play well but will mostly be 2nd choice.

I feel we should not be against resigning him, if the fee is right.

Once Mourinho finds a CB pairing he can trust he usually plays them until injury or suspension forces him to change. At Chelsea he started subbing in Zouma late in games as a DM so he could get games. So no guarantee Keane would get games as a backup.

 

[SteveW]

If we buy him, he will mostly be second choice, after Rojo and Bailey. Now, given the number of games we will be playing we can still expect him to play plenty of matches.

He is far better than Smalling's with the ball, and is quite good in the air. He would definitely be an upgrade over Smalling. He is also a youth player and will give his all for the club.

If CB would have been the only area which needed strengthning then, yes, thinking getting the best is fine. We however need to focus on other areas as well and we already have a good CB pairing. We just need a CB who can play well but will mostly be 2nd choice.

I feel we should not be against resigning him, if the fee is right.

He's been protected in Burnley system. Don't see him as the answer at all for us

 

[shield]

Once Mourinho finds a CB pairing he can trust he usually plays them until injury or suspension forces him to change. At Chelsea he started subbing in Zouma late in games as a DM so he could get games. So no guarantee Keane would get games as a backup.

Ideally, Rojo Bailey should have been good enough but we always face a crisis each year so I feel that we still need a good 2nd choice CB.

I feel that Keane can make us solid. I think we have already found our main CB pairing in Rojo Bailey. But if Rojo's injury continues giving problems then our 2nd choice has to be quite good. On the other hand , a costly CB would destabilise what is a very good partnership. So I feel signing Keane might not be that bad.

 

[Lentwood]

I don't think we should rush Smalling or Jones out of the club.

We should focus this summer on forwards. Even a single penny spent on defenders would be misplacing our priorities imo

 

[shield]

He's been protected in Burnley system. Don't see him as the answer at all for us

You may be right. But Jose's system is also not that different. Like if Keane was going to Manchester City then he might have got found out big time. But Jose's system is quite defensive so I don't think he will struggle to adjust.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

I don't think we should rush Smalling or Jones out of the club.

We should focus this summer on forwards. Even a single penny spent on defenders would be misplacing our priorities imo

What so we focus on the forwards this summer, the defence next summer, and then the midfield the summer after? Just doesn't work like that thankfully, and the defence needs sorting just as much as the forwards this summer, I fully expect two in two out in this summer in defence, hope so anyway.

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

If Rojo comes back on top he and Bailly would be my preferred partnership.
Otherwise Bailly and Blind.
What would be the asking price for Smalling?
I am not really a fan of selling him for cheap.

 

[Reiver]

He can't defend without putting his hands all over the opposition. No versatility in position, CB or nothing. He looks like a new born deer when the ball is at his feet. He looks uncertain whenever he comes out of the defensive line to mark his man further up the pitch. He gets away with it because he's English but we can and must do much better than Smalling if we want to get back to top of the pile. I agree with others who say defence is not a priority but if a decent offer comes in I think we would be well rid of him.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

One of these English lads has to go this summer. I'm not sure which, Smalling is less injury-prone, but Jones is probably more of a 'Jose type' defender.


But both are WAY below what we should be aiming for. If Bailly and Rojo are our first-choice lads next season (performance wise, they should be).

Then Jones for me, he's a certainty for 6months out. I don't consider Smalling better but he's less injury prone. Sucks for one of those lads, but we have to be ruthless now.

 

[SirMattBugsby]

I rate Smalling higher than Keane as a pure defender tbh. It's Jones who id swap for Keane due to injury status.

If we're going to lose these two I want better defenders in than just Keane.

A partner for Bailey is needed but still not convinced on Keane. Smalling comes across as a defender who is just awkward for forwards to play against unfortunately he is also awkward when in possession of the ball. One central defender will leave and due to his number of injuries I always thought it would be Jones.

Other clubs also know about the injury problems of Jones. Smalling will be easier to sell.

 

[Scholsey2004]

Realistically if we moved on both smalling and jones and signed only keane we could have a selection from bailly, keane rojo and blind next season. Thats got to be better.

 

[flappyjay]

What so we focus on the forwards this summer, the defence next summer, and then the midfield the summer after? Just doesn't work like that thankfully, and the defence needs sorting just as much as the forwards this summer, I fully expect two in two out in this summer in defence, hope so anyway.

This desperation for backup cb's is puzzling. Look at our back up cm's that situation is way worse than the cb's that has to have higher priority than the cb's. Then there's the forwards they were all useless in the league this season they are the sole reason we are 6th so getting a couple of goal scorers here is high priority. If we go into next season with the same defense we can mount a title challenge easily. Our defensive record got inflated in the games against Spurs and Arsenal where we didn't play our strongest starters

 

[Sammyjunn]

Realistically if we moved on both smalling and jones and signed only keane we could have a selection from bailly, keane rojo and blind next season. Thats got to be better.

Tuanzebe too, still a bit light.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

This desperation for backup cb's is puzzling. Look at our back up cm's that situation is way worse than the cb's that has to have higher priority than the cb's. Then there's the forwards they were all useless in the league this season they are the sole reason we are 6th so getting a couple of goal scorers here is high priority. If we go into next season with the same defense we can mount a title challenge easily. Our defensive record got inflated in the games against Spurs and Arsenal where we didn't play our strongest starters

Exactly. CB is probably the position where we have the best depth.

 

[OohAahMartial]

Since we are spending a fortune on the attack this Summer and that our defense was good this season it makes sense to get a cheapy like Keane to cover for Rojo and let Smalling go, perhaps Jones in January or the Summer, when Tuanzebe and maybe even Ro-Shaun Williams or Tyrell Warren has been promoted to the 1st team squad.

 

[Pexbo]

Exactly. CB is probably the position where we have the best depth.

We've got Bailly who is great but has had some injury troubles of his own and has zero idea of self preservation so is likely to get some more.

Blind, as much as he is dependable, when everyone was fit he was 5th choice which gives you an insight into Mourinho views of him as a CB.

Rojo who has a long term injury but also suffered lots of smaller ones, even this season, which limit his game time.

Finally Smalling and Jones who it's not even worth discussing.



So despite having 5 centrebacks, we don't really have any depth, were just always wondering when they're going to be coming back and what sort of form we can expect after the layoff.


That being said, I don't think Keane is the answer. He's in the ideal situation playing every game and another 3 or 4 years of that and he will be a top quality CB. Coming here as a squad player is not what he needs right now.

 

[Berbasbullet]

If we get Keane then:

Baily
Rojo
Keane
Blind
Axel
Ro sho
Carrick

Plenty of cover there, might even make a profit out of Jones and Smalling out and Keane coming in!

 

[cheeky_backheel]

He'd probably do well at Arsenal alongside Koscielny. Smalling was at his best playing a high line under LVG - he has incredible pace for a centre back and is phenomenal defending one on one situations, and Koscielny would be able to do a lot of the ball playing for him. With his aerial dominance too, he'd compliment Koscielny well.

He can't play in Mourinho's deeper system, as he's caught out too frequently in terms of positioning.

Most top coaches like to play a high line when attacking (to shorten the field) but you must have CBs with the reaction and pace to recover when the ball is played behind.

 

[SirMattBugsby]

If we get Keane then:

Baily
Rojo
Keane
Blind
Axel
Ro sho
Carrick

Plenty of cover there, might even make a profit out of Jones and Smalling out and Keane coming in!

We won't sell both imo. Rojo is out for six months so if we did, the starting pair next season would be Bailly and Keane (as per your valuation). Not sure that's a good idea..

It will probably be one of them, if at all, and it will probably be Smalling. He'll be the one easier to offload.

 

[Berbasbullet]

We won't sell both imo. Rojo is out for six months so if we did, the starting pair next season would be Bailly and Keane (as per your valuation). Not sure that's a good idea..

It will probably be one of them, if at all, and it will probably be Smalling. He'll be the one easier to offload.

Yeah that makes sense. Keeping Jones might me the smart thing to do.

 

[Lentwood]

What so we focus on the forwards this summer, the defence next summer, and then the midfield the summer after? Just doesn't work like that thankfully, and the defence needs sorting just as much as the forwards this summer, I fully expect two in two out in this summer in defence, hope so anyway.

Why do we need more defenders? We have have had great defensive records for two/three years running. We have also scored a pitiful number of goals.

I don't think it really takes a rocket scientist to work out where our issue is. Don't get me wrong, if I thought we would/could sign 8 world class players in one window I would be all for it but just cant see any more than 4

 

[SirMattBugsby]

Yeah that makes sense. Keeping Jones might me the smart thing to do.

There's a reason I said "Smalling will be easier to offload." Will you as a midtable club buy Jones knowing his injury status? For such a club, Smalling will definitely be the better choice, hence easier to sell.

We'll just have to keep Jones for now as a luxury defender.

 

[mitchmouse]

I'd accept a tenner and 99p cheeseburger

 

[Castia]

Last season he was good and I'm sure the vast majority of this site agreed he atleast deserved a place in the team.....suddenly it's as if he's Titus Bramble I don't get it.


The same shit happened with Zlatan, the guy is smashing the goals in and there were people wanting him out of the team when he didn't score for a couple of games.


A player can go from Messi to Joey Barton over the course of 3 games on here it's fecking crazy. The same thing happened to Rojo too, he was in the same position as Smalling last season with the criticism and people wanting him out now suddenly he's a Nesta/Cannavaro hybrid super god....only on the cafe.

 

[Z_Wolf]

Last season he was good and I'm sure the vast majority of this site agreed he atleast deserved a place in the team.....suddenly it's as if he's Titus Bramble I don't get it.


The same shit happened with Zlatan, the guy is smashing the goals in and there were people wanting him out of the team when he didn't score for a couple of games.


A player can go from Messi to Joey Barton over the course of 3 games on here it's fecking crazy. The same thing happened to Rojo too, he was in the same position as Smalling last season now suddenly he's a Nesta/Cannavaro hybrid super god....only on the cafe.

Smalling's been shit for 7yrs. He'll turn 28 in months. Do you really think he'll suddenly come good after 7 yrs of mediocrity?

 

[captain666]

Strangely enough Jones and Smalling have actually won PL titles.

Thats as may be but neither are anywhere the world class cb we need (amongst other positions),we are Man Utd for christsake and should be demanding the best,not makeweights.Smalling will be gone as he is going backwards in skill and confidence under Jose's system.Just trust the manager to make the right signing,not convinced it should be Keane,would like to see more of Axel playing there pre-season.

 

[VP89]

Thats as may be but neither are anywhere the world class cb we need (amongst other positions),we are Man Utd for christsake and should be demanding the best,not makeweights.Smalling will be gone as he is going backwards in skill and confidence under Jose's system.Just trust the manager to make the right signing,not convinced it should be Keane,would like to see more of Axel playing there pre-season.

You're not convinced about Keane, whose had a solid season for Burnley in the Premier league, but you want to see Axel given a pre season there?

 

[Freak]

You're not convinced about Keane, whose had a solid season for Burnley in the Premier league, but you want to see Axel given a pre season there?

Logic on the cafe has been shit for some time now.

 

[captain666]

You're not convinced about Keane, whose had a solid season for Burnley in the Premier league, but you want to see Axel given a pre season there?

Keane had a promising future at United and we let him go!Is making progress at Burnley enough reason to pay 25 million?We could do better.
I'd like to see a lot more of our youth breaking through,Axel could be a good back up option in that position.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

You would think if we are going to get rid of a defender to make way for a new one then it's Jones that has to go. How many chances is he going to get.
SAlso Smalling when he has returned from fitness has normally been parachuted straight in to Joses defence. I actually think he's had a decent season. Rojo had a solid 2 months and somehow now get heralded as the seconding coming of Jaap Stam. Think he put 2-3 games in when yes he was exceptional buy sorry he needs to be consistent. He should also have been sent off 3 times throughout the season because he can't tackle.
Smalling isn't diving in to last ditch tackles because he plays more of a sweeper role and allows Bailly, jones ,Rojo to go and be aggressive knowing he is there to seep up. Arguably he is the most intelligent in terms of defensive awareness out of the 3 but as with most things the flashy is what gets noticed. It like Carrick hater syndrome all over again.

 

[VP89]

Keane had a promising future at United and we let him go!Is making progress at Burnley enough reason to pay 25 million?We could do better.
I'd like to see a lot more of our youth breaking through,Axel could be a good back up option in that position.

We could do better, so you turn away from someone who had a solid experienced season in the Premier League and whom you agree has a promising future.. to a player who is completely unproven at the top level? That's not doing better.

 

[captain666]

We could do better, so you turn away from someone who had a solid experienced season in the Premier League and whom you agree has a promising future.. to a player who is completely unproven at the top level? That's not doing better.

My suggestion was merely to try Axel there in pre-season not give him the position for the next 5 years!

 

[Lentwood]

You would think if we are going to get rid of a defender to make way for a new one then it's Jones that has to go. How many chances is he going to get.
SAlso Smalling when he has returned from fitness has normally been parachuted straight in to Joses defence. I actually think he's had a decent season. Rojo had a solid 2 months and somehow now get heralded as the seconding coming of Jaap Stam. Think he put 2-3 games in when yes he was exceptional buy sorry he needs to be consistent. He should also have been sent off 3 times throughout the season because he can't tackle.
Smalling isn't diving in to last ditch tackles because he plays more of a sweeper role and allows Bailly, jones ,Rojo to go and be aggressive knowing he is there to seep up. Arguably he is the most intelligent in terms of defensive awareness out of the 3 but as with most things the flashy is what gets noticed. It like Carrick hater syndrome all over again.

Are people really still talking about Rojo and those two tackles? The lad has barely put a foot wrong at CB for Utd, not just this season but also in his first year. Also plays in a very aggressive, front-foot way which usually leads to errors but in Rojo's case doesn't seem to

Sorry mate but Smalling is a disaster. I have never seen a PL footballer with such terrible technique, anywhere, ever. Also seems to panic, and spread panic, amongst the rest of the team

Rojo and Bailly as first choice for me next year with Jones 3rd choice and Smalling as back-up

 

[Andersons Dietician]

Are people really still talking about Rojo and those two tackles? The lad has barely put a foot wrong at CB for Utd, not just this season but also in his first year. Also plays in a very aggressive, front-foot way which usually leads to errors but in Rojo's case doesn't seem to

Sorry mate but Smalling is a disaster. I have never seen a PL footballer with such terrible technique, anywhere, ever. Also seems to panic, and spread panic, amongst the rest of the team

Rojo and Bailly as first choice for me next year with Jones 3rd choice and Smalling as back-up

Rojo has been turned and left for dead more times than any defender we had this season, constantly clawing at people. He has made a lot of mistakes and has really poor positioning.

Smalling terrible technique? For me he's probably been the best all round defender and I'm pretty sure the stats back that up.

 

[Lentwood]

Rojo has been turned and left for dead more times than any defender we had this season, constantly clawing at people. He has made a lot of mistakes and has really poor positioning.

Smalling terrible technique? For me he's probably been the best all round defender and I'm pretty sure the stats back that up.

It's funny how two people can watch the same games and have totally different opinions....I can't remember any striker getting the better of Rojo, has handled Costa, Lukaku and Kane without incident this season. Certainly don't remember any mistakes leading to goals, in fact the last one I can remember is Watford 2 years ago and even that didn't end up costing us any points

Terrible technique as in, he looks very awkward with the ball at his feet. Doesn't look like a natural footballer and doesn't seem to get his body in the right shape

 

[Andersons Dietician]

It's funny how two people can watch the same games and have totally different opinions....I can't remember any striker getting the better of Rojo, has handled Costa, Lukaku and Kane without incident this season. Certainly don't remember any mistakes leading to goals, in fact the last one I can remember is Watford 2 years ago and even that didn't end up costing us any points

Terrible technique as in, he looks very awkward with the ball at his feet. Doesn't look like a natural footballer and doesn't seem to get his body in the right shape

Recently I think it was Lanzini that turned him around the half way line but it happens quite a lot, especially earlier on in the season.

Rojo again cost us against West Ham last year was it not, LVG put him on because he was supposedly the best in the air and he got absolutely hammered and lost his man. I'm sure the same has occurred this season as didn't he boob up a set piece. He put two solid months in after Christmas but before that he wasn't great. People have short memories.

Smalling ok Technique you mean dribbiling, passing and so on fair enough I'll give you that but as a defender he reads it better than any defender we have and is normally the one positioning those guys and telling them what to do and where to go and Blind is the only other one that can do that or will do it.

Everyone seems to jump on Hazard turning him inside out but who hasn't Hazard done that to and pretty sure Smalling had come across to cover his partner as there was an easy pass on for Hazard and Smalling was trying to cover them both.

I think he is really really underrated by United fans. You're right tho how everyone's opinions can differ. I haven't been impressed with Zlatan but about 70% of united fans are.