Van Gaal dropped Van Bommel even if he was his captain at Bayern. I don't think it's that big of a deal. LVG doesn't seem to have any problem dropping stars if he feels he needs to.
Karim Benzema | Benzema: "To the clowns who want to make up things, Madrid is my home! #HalaMadrid"
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
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Van Gaal dropped Van Bommel even if he was his captain at Bayern. I don't think it's that big of a deal. LVG doesn't seem to have any problem dropping stars if he feels he needs to.
I don't think van Gaal would care too much about Rooney if he thinks Benzema is the best solution. He accepted Falcao in his first season as a big name signing in spite of already having big names in attack like Rooney and van Persie, so he might do that again if he thinks Benzema would improve us.
Saying that, he will probably end up moving Rooney in midfield which is a crap solution, but one can hope he'll improve there or at least van Gaal will figure out by then that he shouldn't be privileged so much.
Saying that, he will probably end up moving Rooney in midfield which is a crap solution, but one can hope he'll improve there or at least van Gaal will figure out by then that he shouldn't be privileged so much.
Benzema would be a great signing. Its just a shame that Zidane stuck his nose in & talked him into goin to Real instead of us all those years ago - like the prick did with Varane also..
Pogba next?
If he was coming in to compete with Rooney for the #9 spot that would be great, but if it means Rooney back into the midfield 3 it would be one step forward, one step back.
I don't think that's fair on Rooney. Rooney was asked to play several positions like Blind and both suffered from it towards the end of the season. He's still a good striker and the fact that we create so little for our fowards or in general plays a big part into why Rooney, van Persie and Falcao have been so poor in my eyes. If we bring in Benzema and play a 4-4-1-1, Rooney could benefit from playing behind Benzema.
No Rooney in the midfield again please.....PLEASE
Our play is so much better with actual midfielders occupying the midfield.
Our play is so much better with actual midfielders occupying the midfield.
I don't think that is a system we will see from LvG, he likes his proper 4-3-3 and that requires one CM to be the creative spark, I'd much rather see Ander given that role with Rooney and Benzema competing for the #9 role than Rooney basically just playing as a second striker, as I don't think he has the first touch or short passing to game to play as a genuine AM in 4-3-3.
Yeah, exactly man & every other top french player on everyone's radar..
I'd back Rooney to win the battle for the no9 spot vs benzema.
The same Rooney that's barely managed 14 league goals this season?
He's been stuck in midfield for half of it to be fair. Plus we look a dysfunctional side these days.
I'm sure he will get 20+ playing as a lone front man in a proper cohesive team. Still...would rather have Benzema though because I'm sick of Rooney having days where his touch is basically the equivalent of a league 1 player.
I'm not convinced Rooney is a 20 goal striker anymore in any system. Agree with the rest of your post though. Benzema would be a massive upgrade.
Well Benzema has only managed 15 league goals this season and he plays as a no9 in a much superior side.
A 4-2-3-1 doesn't need to be that different from a 4-4-1-1. 4-2-3-1 was the formation that van Gaal used at Bayern. Rooney would be alright as the most advanced midfielder. But that's beside the point I was trying to make. I think people are being harsh on Rooney and IMO he will improve next season, because van Gaal will probably don't use him as a box-to-box or holding midfielder anymore. He's had no consistency regarding his position and that's the main reason why he wasn't as prolific as he used to be. If Benzema would come, he'd play behind him or next to him or just one of them and I think he'd benefit a lot from that.
If Rooney can get 14 after playing half a season in midfield (along with us having no identity or formation for half a season+)...he would easily get 20 up front by himself.
You are being harsh on him. He's certainly not the best striker in the league and Aguero is unfortunately far better than him but he can grab 20goals a season for sure.
Benzema actually does a pretty good job considering he takes fewer shots than Bale and Ronaldo. Not to mention he's willing to do the dirty work and is a very unselfish player, a bit like Rooney. I don't think any other striker in the world can do a better job there without pissing off Ronaldo by taking more shots.
Benzema - 4.6 shots per goal.
Bale - 8.5 shots per goal.
Ronaldo - 5.9 shots per goal.
*not including penalties
Benzema - 4.6 shots per goal.
Bale - 8.5 shots per goal.
Ronaldo - 5.9 shots per goal.
*not including penalties
Monster of a striker, who is hindered massively (in an individual sense) because of Ronaldo and even Bale, to an extent (not to say that it isn't a good tactic, but it is clear that he sacrifices a lot so that they can play to their potential).
He would destroy the PL. Deceptively fast, quick feet, good touch, solid passing/link-up play (watch his assists for Ronaldo over the years), reliable finishing (as well as being decent from further out) & a lot of strength, too. He also has an impressive fitness record and is quite consistent. He is good at everything and has no huge weaknesses. Although he has lost a bit of spark and flair since moving to Madrid, I think he could rediscover it in a team where he was more of a main-man, with more freedom afforded to him. He is shackled at Madrid, even if he fits the formation to a tee.
He would destroy the PL. Deceptively fast, quick feet, good touch, solid passing/link-up play (watch his assists for Ronaldo over the years), reliable finishing (as well as being decent from further out) & a lot of strength, too. He also has an impressive fitness record and is quite consistent. He is good at everything and has no huge weaknesses. Although he has lost a bit of spark and flair since moving to Madrid, I think he could rediscover it in a team where he was more of a main-man, with more freedom afforded to him. He is shackled at Madrid, even if he fits the formation to a tee.
I just think that system needs a real #10 to really work, Benzema and Rooney are too similar, and it would also mean we'd lose those wide triangles which are the only way to get Mata into the game when he plays from right. It also begs the question of what we'd do about midfield additions.
20 goals per season striker. Thats all im saying.
I'd like to see the stats of how many games Rooney started in midfield because half the season seems a lot.
I hope Rooney gets back to his best and scores 20+ next season but I have my doubts; and he's only getting older.
You have me wrong, I think so, too. What I'm trying to say is that Rooney will improve next season, whether he's used as a 9 or 10. Partly because we hopefully bring in the midfielders we need and one more winger, if di Maria leaves. Regardless of whether he's the best options as the most advanced midfielder, the point I was trying to make is that he'll benefit from playing consistently further up the field and with hopefully less changes to the team and his position. I don't think they are too similar to work either. Benzema is a different player for France and they could be great together. I don't think we'd able to keep them happy, if we are just going to play one of them.
http://www.whoscored.com/Players/3859
I agree that Rooney will be a bit better next season, I'm hopeful most of our players will be now they are used to the manager and his system. The concern for me in the system here is that I don't see the creativity coming from Rooney to supply Benzema and I also wonder how we'd go about our midfield as I don't see LvG sitting Carrick & Ander as the base pairing, it strips away too much from his game playing a double pivot IMO. I am not a Rooney "hater" or anything but I do feel that by making him Captain and practically undroppable we limit the potential team from being all it can be.
Putting a player that earns £300k a week on the bench is what makes him undroppable IMO. He has to play and earn his money other wise we have to move on!
I ain't a hater or a lover, I just want what's best for the team!
He's a great player. If he joined us instead of Real he'd be as big as Cantona at United. Real Madrid is all about Ronaldo, Benzema's talents are wasted there.
De Gea+ £10milllion then?
Benzema is fecking brilliant and I'd way prefer we signed him to any other RM player, Ronaldo included.
If Arsenal get Benzema I'd consider them serious title contenders.
If Arsenal get Benzema I'd consider them serious title contenders.
Gladly. The guy's utter class.
Strikers hit their prime at this age. He should be good until 32. I don't know what the world is coming to if you think a world class 28 year old player is not worth buying if given the chance
The main thing people are forgetting is that will Real sell him?? Imo its looks highly unlikely they will sell him.
That's true, unless they move for Aguero this is a non-starter.
I Doubt they will unless they can sign someone better and I cant see who that could be
This will be a really good signing.
I believe our team should have a no. 10 and a no. 9 in the starting line up.
These two positions will have to be covered by four players. The following seem perfect:
Rooney, Benzema, Mata, Fellaini
This supported by the following four players for the two wide attacking positions:
Di maria, Nani, Depay and Young.
These 8 players will give us great depth, quality and balance.
I really don't see how Real will let go off Karim and how we will get him, but it will be a great signing for us.
I believe our team should have a no. 10 and a no. 9 in the starting line up.
These two positions will have to be covered by four players. The following seem perfect:
Rooney, Benzema, Mata, Fellaini
This supported by the following four players for the two wide attacking positions:
Di maria, Nani, Depay and Young.
These 8 players will give us great depth, quality and balance.
I really don't see how Real will let go off Karim and how we will get him, but it will be a great signing for us.
Fantastic player to have in our squad,great link up play,some brilliant finishing.We should have landed him earlier if its not Real.
Make this happen Woody and let them buy Aguero.
Make this happen Woody and let them buy Aguero.
It will never happen.
Benzema actually does a pretty good job considering he takes fewer shots than Bale and Ronaldo. Not to mention he's willing to do the dirty work and is a very unselfish player, a bit like Rooney. I don't think any other striker in the world can do a better job there without pissing off Ronaldo by taking more shots.
Benzema - 4.6 shots per goal.
Bale - 8.5 shots per goal.
Ronaldo - 5.9 shots per goal.
*not including penalties
So you're trying to tell us he doesn't shoot much, and that makes him prolific? People need to understand what stats are showing
cos benzema has set the world on fire so much this season.....
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