Or McTominay or Phil Jones. Anyone but one of these two.
Maguire or Lindelof: Who should be our starting CB in Varane’s absence?
- Thread starter Fortitude
- Start date
If we have all of the possession, I would pick Lindelof. If we have to do any decent amount of defending, I would pick Maguire.
Based on how this season has gone, I would pick Maguire. Both are pretty bad options, though. I would pick Maguire until he starts making errors that are costing us. Then I'd give him a break and go back to Lindelof. I'd do that until Varane is back.
I think ETH will continue picking Lindelof in more games. In the less physical games and the games we're expected to be on the front foot. Against more physical teams, I think he will bring in Maguire.
Based on how this season has gone, I would pick Maguire. Both are pretty bad options, though. I would pick Maguire until he starts making errors that are costing us. Then I'd give him a break and go back to Lindelof. I'd do that until Varane is back.
I think ETH will continue picking Lindelof in more games. In the less physical games and the games we're expected to be on the front foot. Against more physical teams, I think he will bring in Maguire.
The drama in this thread… You would think we have lost ten straight games when Varane was injured, conceding 20 goals or so…
Varane has been out two times for injuries and we have been doing fine. Yesterday was the first match during those two periods where we even lost points (before that 6 wins in 6 matches, 4 clean sheets).
Varane has been out two times for injuries and we have been doing fine. Yesterday was the first match during those two periods where we even lost points (before that 6 wins in 6 matches, 4 clean sheets).
Ive been saying that Lindelof is limited for years. Im just glad other fans are notecing that too now. The guy is nowhere near good enough to cut it in the pl let alone Manchester United
Lindelof
Well said.
Neither, I trust McTominay more than either these 2 jokers masquerading as our defenders
Lindelof every single day of the week. He isn't a donkey on the ball, can run like what you'd expect from a professional athlete and most importantly doesn't create a sense of panic for everyone around him
The worst thing a defender can do in a high line is be passive, and that’s Lindelöf’s entire game. Slow defenders like Hummels, Puyol have excelled in high lines because they get tight and win the ball high up. What they don’t do is passively exit the defence with some “half pressure” and allow an attacker to do whatever the hell he likes with a ball. Lindelöf is being instructed to do something which is alien to him, and that’s why we see instances like the 3rd goal at the weekend; what Lindelöf naturally wants to do there is allow the attacker to have the ball and back off, but now he’s being told to get tight and win the ball high, but he can’t.
A lot of fans have got it completely mixed up and think that he’s more suited to a high line because he’s faster on the turn, but when the high line is functioning well, centre backs shouldn’t be getting into constant foot races on the turn, that’s be evidence of it failing.
In short, he’s horrendous in a high line and suits much more what Mourinho wants to do, which is why he bought him.
Last edited:
Maguire is the better CB in every aspect of the game, from ball playing capabilities to actual defending.
Not the first time we have seen lindelof struggle to deal with a big physical striker. Watkins was to much for him to deal with. Martinez also couldn't deal with Bailey so when both CB's are losing there respective individual duels you really are in trouble.
He has to do better for the third goal that was really poor passive defending. And although he didn't cover himself with glory for the first goal either, what was striking is The amount of ball watching going on by the team in general, Rashford, Casemerio and Dalot all watch Watkins and Lindelof duel and rather than be assertive and go and help him they stand and watch allowing Watkins to strut across the pitch unchallenged and pick out a dangerous pass.
In terms of Lindelof or Maguire? It's Maguire by some distance. It always had been. Maguire is stronger, better in the air, better on the floor, and better at carrying the ball, he is also alot more aggressive and assertive and far far better defending in a high line.
He has to do better for the third goal that was really poor passive defending. And although he didn't cover himself with glory for the first goal either, what was striking is The amount of ball watching going on by the team in general, Rashford, Casemerio and Dalot all watch Watkins and Lindelof duel and rather than be assertive and go and help him they stand and watch allowing Watkins to strut across the pitch unchallenged and pick out a dangerous pass.
In terms of Lindelof or Maguire? It's Maguire by some distance. It always had been. Maguire is stronger, better in the air, better on the floor, and better at carrying the ball, he is also alot more aggressive and assertive and far far better defending in a high line.
I'd like to see Maguire play a couple of more games in an organized team, with a strong partner like Martinez, and with a proper DM in front of him.
I dont't fully trust either of them, and hopefully we can sell one and bring in a better third option CB.
I dont't fully trust either of them, and hopefully we can sell one and bring in a better third option CB.
An in form Maguire is vastly superior to peak Lindelof, but Maguire was still looking rusty in his couple of appearances so at the moment it's a coin flip
I suspect Maguire would have taken out Watkins for at least 1 if not both of the Villa goals
I suspect Maguire would have taken out Watkins for at least 1 if not both of the Villa goals
Yes, no doubt.
I'm not sure he's just rusty, though. He's severely lacking in confidence. And I don't see him getting any kind of mojo back unless he returns to starting regularly. In short, I don't think he's suited to a backup role. Better for both parties to get rid.
I suppose 'rusty' not quite the right word since he's been poor for a significant period of time now
I assume he will play in the cup so let's see
Preach. People imagine what he can do and don't actually see it with their own eyes.
Lindelof's 'abilities' are mostly hypothetical. He looks 'good' when playing against an Everton, Omonia and Sheriff, teams who sat back all game, whilst having Martinez and Casemiro do all the proper hard work on and off the ball; even then he is a peripheral figure.
Lindelot is not a defender. He is at best a player who can pass the ball. At least I know the basics of defending having played as an amateur defender. As a defender, your duty is simply to stop a striker from having time and space on the ball.
1. Take the striker to a position less dangerous to the team ( usually away from goal )
2. Have a mental awareness of forward runs and cover the blind spots ( proactive)
3. When ever you are out of positions, ensure you don't lose the ball.
Lindelof offers none. Just too weak in/out of possession.
I watch Lindelof yesterday going high up to meet an Aston villa player. He was just escorting the guy, left his position and was escorting the villa player. the Aston villa strikers took advantage of that for the first goal.
A confident Maguire is 50x better than lindelot.
NB: Maguire is also a culprit these days in stepping out of position. Maybe that will reduce playing with casa
For the third, there is no way Aston villa will score that goal if Lindelof was someone else. Just close him down. Dalot was bringing on players into his box last season and early this season but you don't see that happening again.
Luke Shaw paid the price for the Brentford game, Lindelof will pay the price for the villa game.
I am really sad because I was one of those who feel lindelof is good enough.
1. Take the striker to a position less dangerous to the team ( usually away from goal )
2. Have a mental awareness of forward runs and cover the blind spots ( proactive)
3. When ever you are out of positions, ensure you don't lose the ball.
Lindelof offers none. Just too weak in/out of possession.
I watch Lindelof yesterday going high up to meet an Aston villa player. He was just escorting the guy, left his position and was escorting the villa player. the Aston villa strikers took advantage of that for the first goal.
A confident Maguire is 50x better than lindelot.
NB: Maguire is also a culprit these days in stepping out of position. Maybe that will reduce playing with casa
For the third, there is no way Aston villa will score that goal if Lindelof was someone else. Just close him down. Dalot was bringing on players into his box last season and early this season but you don't see that happening again.
Luke Shaw paid the price for the Brentford game, Lindelof will pay the price for the villa game.
I am really sad because I was one of those who feel lindelof is good enough.
Clearly Maguire. Victor Lindelof is a decent fourth option, but he's no Harry Maguire, who's third on the depth chart.
Until he plays couple of games and gives away an unnecessary freekick and punches his team mate while jumping up for the ball.
Yes yes, we all know Maguire is a favourite internet meme, but he’s also a much better defender.
Doesn't matter if you are gonna make just different kinda brainfarts. There is a reason why 4th choice defender like Lindelof became backup for Varane. And it is not internet meme.
It’s because Maguire was injured actually.
I honestly can not believe the year is 2022 & Manchester United fans are squabbling over these 2. We really have fallen off a cliff & it’s a long way back.
Sums it up perfectly. It’s like arguing between losing your left or right eye.
Does Tuanzabe still play for us? Where has he been all season. Or is that a daft question given his injury record.
Like asking do you want to get shot from a cannon into a pool of acid or face first into the arse of fat basterd from Austin Powers... Yeah I'd rather neither.
I just cannot even comprehend how Lindelof has been here for so many years already. I really don't want to sit here and bash him but he is mediocrity at best, never good enough to be a centre half for Man United.
As for Harry I would honestly get perma banned if I said what I truly felt about that guy.
I just cannot even comprehend how Lindelof has been here for so many years already. I really don't want to sit here and bash him but he is mediocrity at best, never good enough to be a centre half for Man United.
As for Harry I would honestly get perma banned if I said what I truly felt about that guy.
It is not tough to stay at this club and get plush contracts while being mediocre.
Really good post.I think they are both decent players that will need to be played into form either way but they’ll also both let you down at crucial moments. Our midfield and attack was also absolutely horrible with Bruno out and trying in vain to acomodate the faded Ronadlo. We should have been all over them penning them in but we just let them run all over us. Varane is a massive massive miss. He just keeps getting injured when he’s finally building momentum. Hopefully his last bad one for a long time.
Lately, I have been thinking about Playing Dalot in central defence. Then moving Lindelof or Malacia to the right until we get better options. That would be astute
I would probably pick Maguire, as I think overall he is the better defender. And Lindelof was pretty poor vs Villa so maybe it's Maguire's turn to have a go. I think Maguire should also be the better "leader" (he was captain after all), which I think is something you really need right now. But neither one instills much confidence at all. Perhaps ETH should ask Martinez which one he prefers to play with.
There’s not a chance in hell that mad fecker chooses the biggest soft arse in the team as his second choice CB partner.
Linelof every tme - maybe he was poor at Villa but he's be good over all. Can't remember the last time Maguire had a half-decent game
Is he feck, he’s absolutely awful.
Maguire just had a decent enough game vs. West Ham.
I agree and in the last 20 minutes or so when we were under heavy pressure, he was one of the best on the pitch.
I would play the training dummy over either TBH, as an England fan cannot believe we will be going into the world cup with Maguire as our 1st choice CB, when I think about al the CBs I have seen play for Utd I do not understand why either of these players are anywhere near our club.
This is the cafe after all. If the choice was Maguire or a pineapple we know what the majority would choose.
he what? he was dire for the first half. a total accident waiting to happen
”An accident waiting to happen”
what the feck is Lindelöf then?Maguire, according to most on here & pundits, whoscored etc etc, had a decent game vs. West Ham, his best of the season (which isn’t asking much), but an “accident waiting to happen” is a feeling you have, it’s nothing tangible, and it effects your appraisal of his game. I have the same with Vic, who’s been utter utter dogshit since his arrival, who can forget Huddersfield away. He’s weak as piss and passive and every time I see him I just see a defender hiding, desperate to not have to defend.
No-one can look at the West Ham game and see how important Maguire was in keeping that clean sheet and declare they can’t remember the last time he was “half decent” unless they have a massive bias against him.
Harry lindelof will never be good enough. I think Ten hag should try the Scot mcT experiment in that position.
Sounds horrendous