[Godfather]

That doesn't make much sense. Have you seen the physiques of 100m runners?

You have a point I guess.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

It's definately his acceleration which he's great at, not his topspeed. He's been caught up many times over long distance at PSV, never in short bursts when he can get a pass/shot off. His topspeed isn't bad at all, but he's no Bale/Navas. Not sure why @TrustInJanuzai thinks otherwise.

Cheers. Hopefully he expresses it more in games to come. In this system it's the burst that matters more than the full speed.

 

[Jed I. Knight]

He'll come good, of that I'm convinced. It'll take some time, and there will be a few ups and downs, but I've no doubt that he'll become one of the biggest stars in the Premier League. He has the confidence, and the ability and physique to boot.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

That's what it looked for me. He doesn't look very nimble and swift in his initial burst. Or maybe it's more to do with the position which stifles him and forces him to play like a number 9.

Yeh that could also be true as I thought the service to our strikers today was horrendous

 

[NinjaFletch]

You have a point I guess.

I guess there are differences though, he can have rapid acceleration in a straight line without being nimble when he twists and turns.

 

[van Persie]

Didn't make alot of noise. Can LvG just please play him on the wing, that's where he'll get the most out of his skillset.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Yeh that could also be true as I thought the service to our strikers today was horrendous

On the flip side, our strike force is nothing great either. If young does his usual whipping of crosses in we have such little presence in the box to bother defenders. No one turns a defender, or has great hold up ability. I genuinely feel the front three is our biggest weakness as opposed to the defence as some feel. Which is why I'm hoping Rooney brings back his best somehow.

 

[Sammyjunn]

I'd rather him as a second striker than no 10, he can be a Tevez kind of player in the future. If not, just put him on the wing.

 

[Devil may care]

Had a couple of good moments in the first half but didn't get into the second half and looked annoyed to be brought off, tough start for him given he is also out of position.

 

[Baxter]

Playing him with his back to goal a lot is quite limiting. He looked very dangerous when he played of Mata at one point in the first and as an inside winger he can play off Rooney and move in. It's weird to see him as a second striker.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

On the flip side, our strike force is nothing great either. If young does his usual whipping of crosses in we have such little presence in the box to bother defenders. No one turns a defender, or has great hold up ability. I genuinely feel the front three is our biggest weakness as opposed to the defence as some feel. Which is why I'm hoping Rooney brings back his best somehow.

I don't think Rooney was that poor today, we just had too large a gap between the midfield and the strikers which meant that the ball wasn't going into Rooney and Memphis enough up top. I honestly believe it doesn't matter who you stick upfront in this team at the moment they won't perform until the midfield service improves. One thing that would massively help that is to go with a proper 4-3-3 with Herrera starting as he he drives the ball through the midfield and then has the eye for a killer pass. People are seriously underestimating this problem in my opinion.

 

[Sid234]

I dont understand how Depay's getting higher rating than Rooney? Depay's had his moments but I think Rooney contributed a lot more to the team, even though he didn't get on the scoresheet.

Rooney was relentless with his closing down and forcing Spurs' defense to move the ball out quickly. Forced a few bad passes out of them in the process as well.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

His performance dropped in the second half, but I felt he looked really good in the first. Held it up well, showed some nice skill and dribbling and played some nice passes.

 

[Art]

I dont understand how Depay's getting higher rating than Rooney? Depay's had his moments but I think Rooney contributed a lot more to the team, even though he didn't get on the scoresheet.

Rooney was relentless with his closing down and forcing Spurs' defense to move the ball out quickly. Forced a few bad passes out of them in the process as well.

It's the classic new-signing match analysis. Memphis was average. Although he does look so much more comfortable running on the wings.

 

[2mufc0]

Would be good to see him swap with Mata and go on the wing when he's struggling down the middle. As with Rooney not much to feed off, was a really scrappy game.

 

[NL Max]

Just a question, what do people think Memphis his strong points are? I've read many comments saying he'll be much better on the left wing (I don't disagree mind) but the arguments they give for it are mostly flawed.

At PSV he's played everything as left winger (at senior level) but as he progressed he rarely stayed on the left wing to just beat his man. You'd see him in front of the rightback, filling in for the striker, in the middle pulling the strings etc. He was allowed to roam all over the pitch because he has good vision/passing aswell and he was basically involved in all their attacks even if he didn't score/assist. He is a complete forward and not just a one-trick pony, he's developping his game to more than just beating his man.

What I do agree with is that at LW he can beat the offside trap, has a bit more room to dribble and ofcourse he's much more experienced there. When I look at his skillset I see no reason why he can't play centrally though. I think he might be a bit too short for 9 (not usefull for crosses) but the 10 is very important in van Gaal's system, if he sees Memphis as long term plan I'd see that as a huge compliment. I really don't mind the experiment that much.

 

[hungrywing]

A great deal of the "he'll be much better on the left wing" is made up of unspoken "he'll damn sure be better than Young".

 

[bosnian_red]

Just a question, what do people think Memphis his strong points are? I've read many comments saying he'll be much better on the left wing (I don't disagree mind) but the arguments they give for it are mostly flawed.

At PSV he's played everything as left winger (at senior level) but as he progressed he rarely stayed on the left wing to just beat his man. You'd see him in front of the rightback, filling in for the striker, in the middle pulling the strings etc. He was allowed to roam all over the pitch because he has good vision/passing aswell and he was basically involved in all their attacks even if he didn't score/assist. He is a complete forward and not just a one-trick pony, he's developping his game to more than just beating his man.

What I do agree with is that at LW he can beat the offside trap, has a bit more room to dribble and ofcourse he's much more experienced there. When I look at his skillset I see no reason why he can't play centrally though. I think he might be a bit too short for 9 (not usefull for crosses) but the 10 is very important in van Gaal's system, if he sees Memphis as long term plan I'd see that as a huge compliment. I really don't mind the experiment that much.

Me neither. We just have to give him the ball more to do his thing, as we are too content to play it slowly around the back 4 currently without trying anything. Him at #10, when he gets the ball, is perfectly fine though and shows huge promise IMO. His hold up play, passing, strength has all been very good. It's just a matter of passing it forward quickly so he has the space to turn and run at the defence.

 

[Cypriot]

Mata
Young Rooney Depay
​

Give it one game, I'd love to see that.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Just a question, what do people think Memphis his strong points are? I've read many comments saying he'll be much better on the left wing (I don't disagree mind) but the arguments they give for it are mostly flawed.

At PSV he's played everything as left winger (at senior level) but as he progressed he rarely stayed on the left wing to just beat his man. You'd see him in front of the rightback, filling in for the striker, in the middle pulling the strings etc. He was allowed to roam all over the pitch because he has good vision/passing aswell and he was basically involved in all their attacks even if he didn't score/assist. He is a complete forward and not just a one-trick pony, he's developping his game to more than just beating his man.

What I do agree with is that at LW he can beat the offside trap, has a bit more room to dribble and ofcourse he's much more experienced there. When I look at his skillset I see no reason why he can't play centrally though. I think he might be a bit too short for 9 (not usefull for crosses) but the 10 is very important in van Gaal's system, if he sees Memphis as long term plan I'd see that as a huge compliment. I really don't mind the experiment that much.

His strongest point is probably the one that he doesn't have any visible weaknesses to his attacking play in the age of 21. It's just that people been waiting so long for someone in the mood of Ronnie or even Nani they want him to be a classic winger badly but with his range of talent he probably can make it everywhere upfront, indeed.

 

[Sammyjunn]

I think we should be patient with him, moving from the Eredivisie to the Premier League is a huge step in itself. But the relative difference between PSV and United is huge too. PSV were by far the best team in the league last season, and with players like Wijnaldum, Guardado; Luuk de Jong, Willems they played excellent and fluid attacking football which resulted in a lot of variety, and a lot of clear cut chances and at the end goals. We arent like PSV, we dont create a lot of chances, have a slow build up and we have very little creativity in our final third. This changes the role for Memphis a lot, because now he'll have to have his share in the creating, and be much more clinical as we barely create chances during matches. While at PSV, although playing wide he was more like Ronaldo. Getting in the box, making runs, positioning as a striker occasionaly; having space to dribble in the final third. It will be interesting to see how fast he'll get used to our play and the PL. Being played out of position doesnt really help him too.

 

[Carl]

Thought he was good in the first half. He assisted* the goal and slid a lovely one through to Young who really should have scored or at least worked the keeper but opted to take a touch and cross with his left instead.

As it wore on he tried to write the headlines himself though with some daft long shots when better options were on and he was anonymous in the 2nd half.

Promising start IMO.


*kind of

 

[wiz4231]

Mata
Young Rooney Depay
​

Give it one game, I'd love to see that.

I'd love to see that too

 

[UnitedBoy]

I'm all for him as a number 10, he is such a talent. Immediately, he would be better on the wing, but long term. Let's make him our focal

 

[11101]

Just a question, what do people think Memphis his strong points are? I've read many comments saying he'll be much better on the left wing (I don't disagree mind) but the arguments they give for it are mostly flawed.

At PSV he's played everything as left winger (at senior level) but as he progressed he rarely stayed on the left wing to just beat his man. You'd see him in front of the rightback, filling in for the striker, in the middle pulling the strings etc. He was allowed to roam all over the pitch because he has good vision/passing aswell and he was basically involved in all their attacks even if he didn't score/assist. He is a complete forward and not just a one-trick pony, he's developping his game to more than just beating his man.

What I do agree with is that at LW he can beat the offside trap, has a bit more room to dribble and ofcourse he's much more experienced there. When I look at his skillset I see no reason why he can't play centrally though. I think he might be a bit too short for 9 (not usefull for crosses) but the 10 is very important in van Gaal's system, if he sees Memphis as long term plan I'd see that as a huge compliment. I really don't mind the experiment that much.

I think his best talent is his ability to tear away down the left with pace, power and dribbling. Whenever i have seen him play, that is where he has been most effective.

 

[NL Max]

I think his best talent is his ability to tear away down the left with pace, power and dribbling. Whenever i have seen him play, that is where he has been most effective.

One year ago I would've agreed with this, but last year he has developped his overal game so much that it would be a waste for him to only do this imo. He became much more influental for PSV when he got the freedom to roam and wasn't stuck to the wing. He can do much more than just beating what in front of him and breaking away with pace, I actually like him central where he will get the ball more often to make things happen. That's what really benefitted him last season, he was the star man and the go-to guy to make things happen if PSV failed to break an opponent down, he could do the same for us at 10.

Especially since van Gaal's 10s are extremely high up the pitch (by instruction) and I also think he compensates (on paper for now) nicely for the weaknesses of Rooney. I think with both Mata and Memphis out wide we would be far too narrow as both come inside too much to be balanced. Young at least keeps the width well on the left for now. His best position for now is obviously LW, but testing him at 10 isn't stupid or stubborn at all from van Gaal. If it works out he could make that position his own, the downfall for him could be losing possesion too much and that means he will need to adapt.

 

[santeria13]

Thought he was bang average and quite frustrating today tbh. He was involved in one good piece of play but that was about it. Then again, I could write the same exact thing for any of our attacking players today and it would still be true.

I am confident he will come good however and really feel he should be moved to the wing.

 

[Kaos]

I trust LVG but I'll be super frustrated if he doesn't at least trial him on the wing, we now have about half the number of players in world football who can play in the 10, can't say the same for our flanks.

 

[dsch]

His best contribution to the game (and our best move of the game) was when he combined with Rooney and Mata just outside the box---with him playing one-twos while cutting in from the wing.

 

[AkaAkuma]

Looked a primadonna when taken off, a few nice touches, but otherwise a forgetable debut.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

One year ago I would've agreed with this, but last year he has developped his overal game so much that it would be a waste for him to only do this imo. He became much more influental for PSV when he got the freedom to roam and wasn't stuck to the wing. He can do much more than just beating what in front of him and breaking away with pace, I actually like him central where he will get the ball more often to make things happen. That's what really benefitted him last season, he was the star man and the go-to guy to make things happen if PSV failed to break an opponent down, he could do the same for us at 10.

Especially since van Gaal's 10s are extremely high up the pitch (by instruction) and I also think he compensates (on paper for now) nicely for the weaknesses of Rooney. I think with both Mata and Memphis out wide we would be far too narrow as both come inside too much to be balanced. Young at least keeps the width well on the left for now. His best position for now is obviously LW, but testing him at 10 isn't stupid or stubborn at all from van Gaal. If it works out he could make that position his own, the downfall for him could be losing possesion too much and that means he will need to adapt.

If Pedro comes how do you see LVG using him?

 

[Trigg]

Just a question, what do people think Memphis his strong points are? I've read many comments saying he'll be much better on the left wing (I don't disagree mind) but the arguments they give for it are mostly flawed.

At PSV he's played everything as left winger (at senior level) but as he progressed he rarely stayed on the left wing to just beat his man. You'd see him in front of the rightback, filling in for the striker, in the middle pulling the strings etc. He was allowed to roam all over the pitch because he has good vision/passing aswell and he was basically involved in all their attacks even if he didn't score/assist. He is a complete forward and not just a one-trick pony, he's developping his game to more than just beating his man.

What I do agree with is that at LW he can beat the offside trap, has a bit more room to dribble and ofcourse he's much more experienced there. When I look at his skillset I see no reason why he can't play centrally though. I think he might be a bit too short for 9 (not usefull for crosses) but the 10 is very important in van Gaal's system, if he sees Memphis as long term plan I'd see that as a huge compliment. I really don't mind the experiment that much.

I think his confidence is his best ability. It's half the battle when you're got the number 7, exception and a big fee. Quiet debut though.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

One year ago I would've agreed with this, but last year he has developped his overal game so much that it would be a waste for him to only do this imo. He became much more influental for PSV when he got the freedom to roam and wasn't stuck to the wing. He can do much more than just beating what in front of him and breaking away with pace, I actually like him central where he will get the ball more often to make things happen. That's what really benefitted him last season, he was the star man and the go-to guy to make things happen if PSV failed to break an opponent down, he could do the same for us at 10.

Especially since van Gaal's 10s are extremely high up the pitch (by instruction) and I also think he compensates (on paper for now) nicely for the weaknesses of Rooney. I think with both Mata and Memphis out wide we would be far too narrow as both come inside too much to be balanced. Young at least keeps the width well on the left for now. His best position for now is obviously LW, but testing him at 10 isn't stupid or stubborn at all from van Gaal. If it works out he could make that position his own, the downfall for him could be losing possesion too much and that means he will need to adapt.

To be fair it's a lot easier to be integral in the buildup and central in all aspects in a smaller league. There's less time in the premier league and you have be better to excel in that aspect. Valencia if I'm not mistaken has played centrally for his country to increase his influence. His influence isn't good enough to warrant being central at United.

 

[Trigg]

Looked a primadonna when taken off, a few nice touches, but otherwise a forgetable debut.

Huh? Why?

 

[Cassidy]

Play him on the fecking left Louis

 

[Ananke]

He'll come good.

Decent debut. Nothing spectacular but he sure is confident. Makes me confident too.

 

[NL Max]

If Pedro comes how do you see LVG using him?

Difficult to tell since Pedro is so comfortable with his left. He will most likely play on either wing though, he hasn't really got the physique to play in the middle I don't think. It also depends if Memphis can transform into a van Gaal 10- he has the all the needed attributes but has to learn alot still. If he can't he will most likely claim the left wing spot meaning Pedro plays on the right.

To be fair it's a lot easier to be integral in the buildup and central in all aspects in a smaller league. There's less time in the premier league and you have be better to excel in that aspect. Valencia if I'm not mistaken has played centrally for his country to increase his influence. His influence isn't good enough to warrant being central at United.

Ofcourse it's a big step up, for what it's worth I also think he'll take longer adapting if he continues at 10 since it's a different role. What I meant to say was is that it isn't all that different from when he left PSV though, at that time he had progressed his overall game so much (he really did improve so much more after the WC) that the team actually played worse if Memphis didn't roam around and just made things happen. He's no ordinary winger, he rarely keeps width and has much more in his locker than what some people expect him to do. He became much more influental once he learned to do more than just cutting inside so I can fully understand van Gaal's decision to play him central and try to get the most out of him. He is so complete going forward at only 21 that a position change might benefit our team greatly in the long run, if he can't adapt he'll make a great left winger though.

 

[Organic Potatoes]

Just a question, what do people think Memphis his strong points are? I've read many comments saying he'll be much better on the left wing (I don't disagree mind) but the arguments they give for it are mostly flawed.

I think people see him as a Ronaldo-type, who should be deployed in the same position: on the left wing with full freedom to roam inside. Also, many want to see Mata/Herrera deployed where he is currently, with Adnan being groomed to be the future #10 instead.

With LVG's comments about holding the width, maybe he doesn't want Mata and Memphis on the wings at the same time since Mata would do much the same (roam centrally). And this is just a case of getting all his best forwards on the pitch, same as last year with the diamond. Perhaps this will change if we make a big signing (a la Pedro).

 

[K2K]

I think he needs to gradually introduced into the team and earn his spot..they are players in this team that have proven that they are better premier league number 10's than Memphis, He played almost a wing-foward last season and should be played there here until he acclimatizes here..I feel that some of the experimentation that LVG are such that he will only play players that he seems to trust, rather than taking a chance with players that could be better..Instead of getting players for the philosophy, Maybe we should be getting a philosophy for the players we have now.

 

[Speak]

What sort of football did PSV play last season? Did they suffocate teams or invite pressure to create space?
Is he better from stand still, or once he's gained speed?