CM
Full Member
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2014
- Messages
- 8,030
Somehow I don't think McFredinay is gonna stick...
I get you, I'm not saying that either. With the current squad, he is the closest thing we have to an answer at that position. The alternatives are so tragic, a clear drop in quality I mean. Going forward, if we can get a better player for that position, I'd be all for it.Its not even the same position as what Pereira/Lingard are playing for us now. Pogba played as the LCM while Pereira/Lingard plays in the hole behind Martial. Just look at the heatmaps.
Anyway, I'm not saying they are a better fit than Pogba because they are defensively better. I'm just saying its extremely debatable that Pogba is the answer in that position, considering the fact that 1) we have already tried him in that position and 2) he is not a natural #10. And if we are to keep the Fred-Mctominay combo, we need to find a way to fit him into the current setup.
Fred wouldn't even get a job cleaning the boots of players at City or Liverpool (or Chelsea/Arsenal) but the fact he is becoming accepted at United tells you exactly how far we have fallen...
I don’t think Pogba necessarily needs to be restricted to playing just as a #10. Give him license to roam. His long passing is a fabulous tool to lose entirely. We’ve got a solid foundation in McTominay and Fred, so Pogba occasionally being out of position shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
I want to agree dude but he’s not had much choice has he.
Fair play though to Fred for keeping his head down and working through some real troubles to put in a performance like that. Let’s hope it carries on and his price could yet prove to be justified.
some really nice touches and passes from him today. His confidence will grow after today.
I think we've seen some of the potential of this group of players today. Lots of young hungry players who'll get better and more consistent over time. The squad is still very thin on the ground in areas though and we'll struggle if McTominay is out for a while. He's been terrific.
Fergie would have played Jones in the middle.
Arsenal? They had Guendouzi and Torreira, with David Luiz occasionally stepping in from the back five, struggling to contain Leicester's midfield on Saturday. I imagine they could have done with the all-action Fred from yesterday breaking up the play and spreading the ball, let alone in the dressing room cleaning boots.
He's being spoken of favourably because he's looked decent in the past few games and pretty bloody good yesterday. I'd warn anyone getting carried away about Fred to calm down, but what's wrong with a bit of praise for an encouraging few games?
Nothing really, but I feel we need to be cautious about the quality we are starting to accept if we are to start looking to get back into top 4, and challenging. I actually like the lad, and want him to do well, but he isn't really the quality we really need, I think that's plain to see.
We'll see if this opinion remains with the very next draw/loss. People just analyse from game to game, it's never an overall view. They'll be labelled shite again very soon, mark my words!Easily our most balanced, best CM pairing.
They compliment each other really well, almost mirroring each other on both sides of the pitch.
If we can get Pogba back to top form playing the 10 in front of them with the front 3, we’d be a really good team.
We win what should be a straight forward home game and now we have nickname for two average central midfielders. Maybe allow them to perform consistently for a few weeks?
We will probably lose to Sheffield United next with these two starting in midfield.
Dont worry, he will be out for a long period of time now so you sceptics can hash it out on whoever is gonna start now and be even worse
‘Skeptic’. Fred has been here over a season and a half, costing £52m and has never consistently shown any quality. Against Partizan Belgrade he passed straight to their striker who was through on goal. Only for the fact they aren’t great opposition did he get away with it. He loses possession too often for a decent central midfielder.
McTom has looked better this season but he’s a very limited player given more patience by the fans because he’s British and from the youth system.
Honestly we have been better in the last 7 games than we have been in a long while, it should be hard for pogba to get back into the team, especially if form continues
I've seen a few people wondering how the team dynamic might change with Pogba instead of Pereira but I think he'll fit in just fine, this is the first time since he's been at the club that the team hasn't been built around him and isn't relient on him to be successful, instead of having to carry the burden by himself he'll just be another cog in the machine which I reckon will do him wonders. He'll be able to get on with his game without feeling like he has to force something constantly.
Indeed.This. Pogba is no Robson or Gerrard. He is an extremely talented player, he's not one to drag a team by himself, give him the freedom to play his game without crippling pressure and he'll do very well for us.
At some points in the previous seasons it's been a case of stop Pogba and United have nothing to offer in attack. It's been too easy.
This is what I’m imagining. Basically just let Pogba do what he wants and leave Fred and Mctominay as is.
Indeed.
I actually think this period without him has been a “blessing in disguise” in famous caf fashion.
the team have learnt how to play without him finally. We don’t rely on him which we desperately did before.
this can only be a good thing, and I think leaving fred and mctominay to be the midfield is the wise thing to do. Let pogba go and link up with martial rashford and James and be the playmaker closer to goal that we’ve been needing. The boys behind are doing a good job.
Still not convinced by Fred. I don't think he is creative enough or accurate enough in his passing. Neither is Scotty McT but he offers a lot that Fred doesn't.
Fred had his best game at the weekend but I just don't think he's technically gifted enough to become a top player. I'll be surprised if he ever has a five goals or assist season for us. Fred is a decent 4th or 5th choice midfielder. Perfect for cup games and hectic Christmas schedules. A more in shape Anderson.
He still has to show he can deliver consistently and against better teams than Brighton, but i thought what we saw in that game was very promising. What bothers me the most is not his technique, but rather that he is quite lightweight and that is a problem against those sides who employ big, brawny shithouses in MF
A lot of people wanted to see this midfield right from the start of the season. It is, in theory at least, our most solid and balanced midfield (with Pogba alongside them obviously).We'll see if this opinion remains with the very next draw/loss. People just analyse from game to game, it's never an overall view. They'll be labelled shite again very soon, mark my words!
Well to be honest Fred is pants. Just because weDont worry, he will be out for a long period of time now so you sceptics can hash it out on whoever is gonna start now and be even worse
Well to be fair that’s exactly what Fred is. Just because we dominated Brighton all of a sudden he’s a world beater. His one of the worst midfielders to give the ball away from trying to pick out passes I’ve seen at the club.We'll see if this opinion remains with the very next draw/loss. People just analyse from game to game, it's never an overall view. They'll be labelled shite again very soon, mark my words!