Started to look more himself. Hope it continues
6
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 32
- Clean sheets
- 8
- Goals
- 1
- Assists
- 1
- Yellow cards
- 8
Hes definitely growing in his role, it’s taken some time but he’s now our dominant progressive defender, the other two just need to cover for him when he goes forward.
3 key passes in 70 mins from CB. Cant do much more than that with the ball
The difference between the first and second halves had as much to do with Licha choosing whether or not to try key passes as it did with Amad and Garnacho coming on. Hojlund and Mainoo were both making runs like crazy for the first half hour and every time you could literally watch Licha see them and decide against it. Normally he goes for it.
I don't blame him, I think it was a direct instruction from Amorim. Clearly the strategy was control the first half, minimal risk-taking, and push for the win in the second. And it worked, even if it did make the first half completely dull.
I don't blame him, I think it was a direct instruction from Amorim. Clearly the strategy was control the first half, minimal risk-taking, and push for the win in the second. And it worked, even if it did make the first half completely dull.
He’s been quality recently. He’s turned into like a creative CB.
Rusty for a while coming back from that injury but now looks to be hitting his best form again.
Thought he was outstanding yesterday, my man of the match. Was solid defensively, communicated well, brought the ball out from the back to midfield, good range of passing and presence starting to come back. He's perfect for this system because of his technical ability on the ball. Long may his improvement continue.
The last couple of games reminds me of how Gvardiol plays for City (who would really flourish in the system). As a unit United have played further up the park, it worries me when the CBs get pinned around the penalty area and play across the lines.
If Martinez can keep pushing forwards, and do so against the better teams, we are starting to see some real progress.
Yeah, that’s my take as well. Obviously the subs helped but you could see everyone else up their game too. Especially Bruno and Mainoo who were pretty subdued in the first half. Boring and all as the first half was to watch I think it also contributed to the result. That sort of relentless control takes its toll on the opposition, football is much more tiring when you don’t have the ball. So it was always likely that they would eventually tire, spaces would open up and goals would come.
Yeah I think there was a suspicion they couldn't match the fitness levels for 90mins - first half was sterile, second we bring on some direct/pacier players and they just couldn't cope.
All systems operate best when they can a create numerical advantage, especially in transition between the lines and this guy can be key to that.
As he is so good on the ball I can see why some call for him to be tried in midfield but I don’t think you need to do that. His position now allows him to step in pro space created by the midfielders movement and attempt those vertical passes, quick one twos or as we’ve seen lately get goals. Found his level again.
As he is so good on the ball I can see why some call for him to be tried in midfield but I don’t think you need to do that. His position now allows him to step in pro space created by the midfielders movement and attempt those vertical passes, quick one twos or as we’ve seen lately get goals. Found his level again.
I like how he's turning into a shooting threat on the edge of the box, picking up some really good positions. I hate how little threat we have from outside the box, we need it, especially in games where the opposition is sitting deep, just adds another dimension to our game.
People trying to close him down also opens up gaps for our attackers.
People trying to close him down also opens up gaps for our attackers.
Seems to be working perfectly when Bruno is the left CM as he goes very high and Licha slots in right behind him or can go ahead in certain situations as we've seen. They also trust each other completely in possession so they are a good combo in the build up. Once we have an stablished LWB, hopefully they can add to that little triangle to make it even stronger.
Small in statute, massive in impact.
This guy is by far the best CB on the ball and it’s not even close. I will go as far as saying that I don’t see any current midfielder better than him on this regard either, he is that good. If I was the opposite manager I would put prime JS Park on him to disrupt his game otherwise you’re dead if you give him time on the ball. Between the lines, over the top, crossfield etc it doesn’t matter he will kill you.
Of course, he has weaknesses as a pure defender, mainly when targeted in a heading contest against big CF like it was the case vs Newcastle but we should be much more dominant in the near future to make it insignificant so the pros are worth it.
Of course, he has weaknesses as a pure defender, mainly when targeted in a heading contest against big CF like it was the case vs Newcastle but we should be much more dominant in the near future to make it insignificant so the pros are worth it.
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To be fair, Harry Maguire/Matthijs de Ligt could have lost that header against Joelinton just as well. They would have made it harder but Joelinton is a tall, strong and athletic player. Joelinton could run unmarked from the edge of the box, jump during his run and attack a defender who had to jump straight up from standing still. Every defender would struggle to deal with that.
Martinez isnt amazing in the air but hardly the liability that some want you to believe that he is. Besides that, the people who criticize Martinez the most are also the people who claim Harry Maguire is the best CCB in the world and a world class defender. A lot of criticism is because of an agenda. I think Martinez is a good player who struggled a little bit because of some nasty injuries.
Ditto on Joelinton play...
on the otehr stuff, I won't say the most, but some no doubt...others play the Scout expert card
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Our most important CB. We can change the others around but we don’t have anyone competing with him since Shaws out
Man Utd 0:2 Crystal Palace
New
Looks a bad one, hopefully he'll be back sooner rather than later.
Gutted for him.
Let's just hope it's not a torn ACL.
Let's just hope it's not a torn ACL.
feck me.
Not sure he'll ever fully trust his body again after this one if it's confirmed to be something major.
Genuinely gutted. I think we've seen the best of him.
Genuinely gutted. I think we've seen the best of him.
Guessing he'll be out for 10 months or so based on the way his knee bent and his reaction. Could be a career ender at this point. He doesn't depend much on pace but it's hard to come back from this many significant muscular injuries. Just as he was finding a bit of form again, brilliant.
Speedy recovery, we always miss him when he's out.
I guess Ayden will be slotted in soon.
I guess Ayden will be slotted in soon.
Sad for the lad. His injury record here is pretty poor. Shame cos there’s a heck of a player there (I still think we should sell).
Gutted for him as he was beginning to come into some good form.
The only player in our team -- defence or midfield -- who can make line-breaking passes. We can't score anyway; his absence just means it's going to much worse.
Given the length of time it took to get him off the pitch and the expression on his face as he was carried off, I can only imagine we won't be seeing him for a long while.
The only player in our team -- defence or midfield -- who can make line-breaking passes. We can't score anyway; his absence just means it's going to much worse.
Given the length of time it took to get him off the pitch and the expression on his face as he was carried off, I can only imagine we won't be seeing him for a long while.
Very unfortunate. He has his flaws but his strengths are some of the few in the side who actually make a positive contribution to this system.
Absolutely gutted to see him go out with tears. Get well soon.
Said in the summer that I think he will always be prone now to injuries. Just hope that it turns out not as bad as feared.
A real shame, seemed to be returning to his pre injury form and now he is likely out with a big injury. I hope he has a good recovery.
Come at a bad time for him.
Unfortunately if its ACL and any damage to the meniscus, he's looking at potentially missing the majority of next season also.
Unfortunately if its ACL and any damage to the meniscus, he's looking at potentially missing the majority of next season also.
He's a good player whose injuries clearly ruined his chances of success at the club.
That was really upsetting to watch. Obviously main worry is Martinez and him recovering, but for the team too, he’s one of the few who can spot a run and play a vertical ball in behind. Even today he played in Amad with an incredible ball.
You need that Bonucci type passer in a back 3, and none of our other CBs can fill that role except Martinez.
You need that Bonucci type passer in a back 3, and none of our other CBs can fill that role except Martinez.
He was finding a bit of form, especially going forward, building up a good rapport with Diallo with that switch.
Defensively however this might not be terrible for Utd, a shit thing to say but even in getting injured he was showing some of his issues, ball down the side of him and he just didn't have the mobility to cover.
Hope he gets back quick but long term his future is probably in a slower paced league.
Defensively however this might not be terrible for Utd, a shit thing to say but even in getting injured he was showing some of his issues, ball down the side of him and he just didn't have the mobility to cover.
Hope he gets back quick but long term his future is probably in a slower paced league.
Was just getting back into form. Typical shite.
No chance it might not be as bad as feared?
Feel really sorry for the guy. As other have said, he’s had issues defensively a lot this season but his passing is so far ahead of our other defenders that, in a team really lacking in creativity, it’s going to be a big miss.
Feel really sorry for the guy. As other have said, he’s had issues defensively a lot this season but his passing is so far ahead of our other defenders that, in a team really lacking in creativity, it’s going to be a big miss.
I love this guy, and I don't love many of our current players. One of the few with any genuine spirit and heart, as well as actual technical ability.
Guess that's him for the season. Hope it's not anything worse than that.
Guess that's him for the season. Hope it's not anything worse than that.
I turned off the game after the goal. Is there a video of what happened? Sounds awful for him. Hope its not too serious
His injury record here is awful. I don't know is it luck or what but i can't remember when one player had this shit luck like he did. 5 big injuries in 3 seasons.
Missed half of first season with foot injury then missed nearly whole 2nd season because of 3 injuries (foot, knee and calf) and now this (another) big injury.
And, which makes things even more unbelievable, neither of those injuries were after some hard tackle.
Missed half of first season with foot injury then missed nearly whole 2nd season because of 3 injuries (foot, knee and calf) and now this (another) big injury.
And, which makes things even more unbelievable, neither of those injuries were after some hard tackle.