[Borys]

I'll leave Pereira out of this, as he's just not been tested at this level, and for all we know could be better than the other two.

But how do Memphis's stats, that you are focussing on, compare to Adnan's goals and assists? Both are players with amazing potential, but a whle lot to learn to turn it into end product. I cannot say that Adnan has proved any more ready right now than Memphis does.

Edit: Goals wise, it's 5 from 60 vs 4 from 13 in their United careers. You can fill in the assists.

Well I’m not focusing on stats actually, I just pointed out that Memphis has done pretty much nothing considering how much time he got.

I remember when Januzaj played really well for us, he was very good (in a short period of time). Then he went to being meh, in and out of the team. Depay has been playing bad in the league, but is still getting picked.

I don’t need tables with numbers to tell me which player has higher potential. Where’s fun in that?

 

[NecssryEvil]

Surprised at how many have made up their mind and want to get rid of him for not being United quality, after what, 13 games? Tough crowd!

So, should we try and sell him in January? Sounds like a bag of peanuts is enough for some to agree to that. Too bad you can't bring guys in on a loan and "rent" them like that for 10 games since that is all it takes to know whether someone is United quality.

 

[bosnian_red]

Surprised at how many have made up their mind and want to get rid of him for not being United quality, after what, 13 games? Tough crowd!

So, should we try and sell him in January? Sounds like a bag of peanuts is enough for some to agree to that. Too bad you can't bring guys in on a loan and "rent" them like that for 10 games since that is all it takes to know whether someone is United quality.

I think people are just saying he should be introduced a bit more slowly given that young can be more of a creative threat out wide more consistently. Memphis obviously has huge potential, he just needs time.

 

[pocco]

I think the criticism is hard to take for some because they were convinced he would be amazing. The hype surrounding him was quite a bit OTT to begin with.

 

[Sultan]

Kids are almost always inconsistent. Memphis has definitely got talent to make it at United.

 

[RedStarUnited]

I think people are just saying he should be introduced a bit more slowly given that young can be more of a creative threat out wide more consistently. Memphis obviously has huge potential, he just needs time.

He needs to play out of this form. Sitting on the bench isnt going to help him.

 

[NecssryEvil]

I think people are just saying he should be introduced a bit more slowly given that young can be more of a creative threat out wide more consistently. Memphis obviously has huge potential, he just needs time.

Yeah, honestly I let the forums get the better of me at times and when I read post after post exaggerating the situation to try and prove a point (or get a response) the cynic in me is all that is left once I start my retort. I am arguably his biggest fan, based on what I see here, and I am not going to say I haven't seen some of what people are pointing out.

I'll give my two bits since the thought of Young has come up multiple times. Going into the game I am guessing that we are going to try and sit back and counter attack. Thus, Darmian is my second selection (right after DDG) and is up against his biggest test so far (a fit Alexis). So, Smalling is next to get written down. Jones hasn't played a full match for a long time, and I (LVG) prefer him on the right with Smalling, Blind and Mike have been playing great, write down Blind. At least that is the way I think it went and the alternate was going into the game against a top team with multiple changes. Once you have those four you are kind of stuck with AY at LB, right?

We can use hindsight to say it was a bad idea (game plan/lineup) but I think it was just executed poorly. The guys looked lost playing that style which is pretty much opposite of everything we have tried to do in every other game this year. Memphis "had" to play, we went in confident thinking we would impose our will and just got punched in the mouth. And "you" want to blame that all on Memphis?

The question is, after getting punched in the mouth, how do we react? I am NOT saying we should leave Memphis in no matter what he does, but I truly hate seeing the fans using him as a scapegoat. Yes he needs to track back better, yes he needs to have his head up and take a pass into equal consideration. But this was a game that every United player on the pitch looked a bit unsure as to what they should be doing. Including bfs ( yeah, I said it).

Everton away is not exactly the game/place to get the ship righted. Maybe Jones will be good to go and we can have the option to play the back four that will allow the AY/Memphis swap to happen. I would be thrilled if that was all that it takes. GGMU

 

[NinjaZombie]

He needs to play out of this form. Sitting on the bench isnt going to help him.

Van Gaal's not doing him any favours by starting him and then subbing him out at half time while his form has been so bad. He should be used the other way round, coming on in the later parts of the game when defences are tired.

 

[Kopral Jono]

Surprised at how many have made up their mind and want to get rid of him for not being United quality, after what, 13 games? Tough crowd!

So, should we try and sell him in January? Sounds like a bag of peanuts is enough for some to agree to that. Too bad you can't bring guys in on a loan and "rent" them like that for 10 games since that is all it takes to know whether someone is United quality.

It's unreasonable to say us Memphis sceptics have made our minds up and want to get rid of him. Me personally, of course I'd want him to be given the time needed to settle in and prove his worth at United. But the evidence so far doesn't add up with the claims of many here on him being a world class talent. Aside from shooting and crossing technique, his set of skills looks painfully average to my eyes and has no pace to boot. My apologies to bring up the Nani comparison again, and I know that different players develop at a different age, but a 21 year-old Nani looked a world-beater compared to him.

I hope he proves me wrong and go on to become a world beater himself, I really do, but I just can't see it happen unfortunately.

 

[Kopral Jono]

The question is, after getting punched in the mouth, how do we react? I am NOT saying we should leave Memphis in no matter what he does, but I truly hate seeing the fans using him as a scapegoat. Yes he needs to track back better, yes he needs to have his head up and take a pass into equal consideration. But this was a game that every United player on the pitch looked a bit unsure as to what they should be doing. Including bfs ( yeah, I said it).

The discussion on this thread transcends well beyond the Arsenal game. Apart from one game against a very poor (not to mention, crocked) Club Brugge side, Memphis has been poor all season; which is completely fine for a young player but worryingly for me he doesn't seem to have the talent at his disposal to turn things around. Fortunately I'm not all that surprised.

 

[Shiva87]

The worrying bit for me isn't his poor performances, but really his lack of ideas when he has the ball. It seems like he has totally lost the belief to run at his man, or to try and make something happen. Neither is he moving around to make space to receive the ball. I don't think its full fledged hiding on the pitch - but there is a massive confidence issue there.

 

[podurban2]

He has a much higher ceiling than what he has shown so far. Not too encouraged yet, but at only 21 I really hope he can unleash his potential and become a class player here.

 

[SoCross]

Said it before, he needs a few games off the bench for a while and then eased back in again.

That being said, I agree with the person who said he was hyped way too much; wasn't there an "expectations" thread on him before the season started, as to how many he'd score and assist? I personally went for 7 goals and 7-10 assists (I think) but I recall reading figures double that. He's still young, inconsistent, new league. Will need time to settle in proper and a few games from the bench is how a 21 year old should be handled, instead of starting every game.

Think the same for Martial as well but we have no decent alternative for him. Memphis has Young, Wilson, Pereira and even Rooney can have a crack.

 

[izec]

Dont understand the over the top comments here. Sure he looks off the pace at the moment, but it was expected. Being very good in the Eredivisie doesnt make you an instant hit in the BPL automatically. He isnt a typical winger either, i dont expect him to go past players with ease, like Douglas Costa or Sanchez, when he gets doubled up all the time. He needs to improve his decision making and finishing. He reminds of Ronaldo without the output and speed/agility/class. Our thin squad and slow football dont do him any favours at the moment, but he will come good eventually. He is a work in progress and his talent is obvious, as frustrating as he is right now, i feel excited to see how he will turn out to be.

 

[RedDevil@84]

The only thing that vexes me is that he shows no hunger. He tries almost the same things and loses the ball in almost same way and then next match the same thing. His hunger levels are horribly low. Either he is like that or he is dead tired to come up with creativity or put more effort in training to find a solution.

 

[Speak]

He's shown no desire.

Look, I'm surprised he looks so slow and not agile at all. The reviews here made me think he was a Sanchez type dribbler. Direct and with purpose. Okay so maybe that's wrong.

But what's his strengths? He plays like Valencia without the speed. So not even as useful as Valencia.

Yeah, and those reviews were really wrong. He's a right-footed Hulk. Not Sanchez at all.

 

[Adisa]

i am not surprised he's struggling. Haven watched him last season, I never considered him the world class talent everyone here seemed to believe. If you don't believe me, you can check his thread in the newbies before we signed him. The reason for that, was I thought he was a poor dribbler and maybe I was disappointed with the sheer number of shots he was having each game in Holland. I didn't see him as particularly creative. So for some here the reaction isn't knee jerk.
What he now needs to do is learn to create enough space for him to cross the ball, which is something he's good at or get his shot away. Coming on instead of starting might help him cause he would have a bit more space but I'm not sure how he would handle not starting games.

 

[Speak]

He is a bit of Nani and a bit of Balotelli.

He's nothing like either of those players whatsoever.

 

[Speak]

Dont understand the over the top comments here. Sure he looks off the pace at the moment, but it was expected. Being very good in the Eredivisie doesnt make you an instant hit in the BPL automatically. He isnt a typical winger either, i dont expect him to go past players with ease, like Douglas Costa or Sanchez, when he gets doubled up all the time. He needs to improve his decision making and finishing. He reminds of Ronaldo without the output and speed/agility/class. Our thin squad and slow football dont do him any favours at the moment, but he will come good eventually. He is a work in progress and his talent is obvious, as frustrating as he is right now, i feel excited to see how he will turn out to be.

How does he remind you of Ronaldo without all those things?

 

[izec]

How does he remind you of Ronaldo without all those things?

He has a bit of it, but nowhere near that level. He doesnt offer much if he doesnt score.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

There a quite a few people here who keep calling out others for calling him a complete right off, but that's hardly the case.

Most appreciate that he needs time, however, with the situation we find ourselves in, we can't keep allowing him to play like a passenger game after game. Some will say that we don't have many other choices, which is true to some extent, although Ashley Young has been more impressive than Memphis and, had he played left wing on Sunday, we may not have lost so harshly.

Sometimes I get the feeling that Memphis already considers himself a superstar (could just be me) which results in performances such as the one against Arsenal, where he seems to think he's above tracking back and defending. That's why I think it's necessary for him to spend some time on the bench and almost be punished for his poor outings. Only then can he learn from his mistakes.

 

[NinjaFletch]

How does he remind you of Ronaldo without all those things?

I sorta see the comparison.

If you forget that a young Ronaldo was quick, skilful, a great crosser, could beat a man inside and out, a brilliant dribbler and had a bag of tricks and assume that a young Ronaldo was just a shitter version of his current self then yes Memphis looks a lot like a young Ronaldo.

 

[Adisa]

The people claiming others are writing him off are throwning nonsense accusations against people that have concerns or doubts about him to discredit their argument. No one is writing him off. And he's nothing like a young Ronaldo. Don't know where that came from.

 

[ZDwyr]

His freekicks have been disappointing. He came in with the big reputation but so far they've all been blasted well over the bar or meekly hit to the 'keeper (unless I am forgetting one).

 

[Stadjer]

He's refusing to talk to the writing media right now... he is such a wannabe Ronaldo without the Ronaldo amount of talent

 

[RedDevil@84]

He's refusing to talk to the writing media right now... he is such a wannabe Ronaldo without the Ronaldo amount of talent

Is it something like he will talk only after he puts a curling freekick to the top corner?

 

[justboy68]

He's refusing to talk to the writing media right now... he is such a wannabe Ronaldo without the Ronaldo amount of talent

That's a little harsh. It could be that he knows the media are going to be full of criticism and he doesn't want to deal with it. Lots of players don't like to talk to the media, especially when the grass isn't green. I've posted in agreement that he has been underwhelming so far and that it's fair to question his potential, but I hope people don't go overboard in scapegoating him.

 

[Kopral Jono]

That's a little harsh. It could be that he knows the media are going to be full of criticism and he doesn't want to deal with it. Lots of players don't like to talk to the media, especially when the grass isn't green. I've posted in agreement that he has been underwhelming so far and that it's fair to question his potential, but I hope people don't go overboard in scapegoating him.

I agree. He has no obligation to speak to the media. It'd be nice of him to do a little lip service to shed light on his current poor form and that he will make things right in the future, but I guess coping mechanisms are different for everyone.

Re the bolded part: as a huge Memphis doubter myself, it's all fine and dandy criticising him and doubting his potential but to turn everything he does into an agenda against him is a bit too much.

 

[Stadjer]

I agree. He has no obligation to speak to the media. It'd be nice of him to do a little lip service to shed light on his current poor form and that he will make things right in the future, but I guess coping mechanisms are different for everyone.

Re the bolded part: as a huge Memphis doubter myself, it's all fine and dandy criticising him and doubting his potential but to turn everything he does into an agenda against him is a bit too much.

Tbf i think talking to the media is a part of your job as a footballer. It is also a responsibility to his fans.

I am Dutch myself and i saw Memphis play in the Eredivisie and despite him scoring a lot of goals he also made a lot of mistakes. He has always been a selfish player, not because he wants to do everything himself but he just doesnt see it.

He is strong, fast and has some skills but i dont think he is extremely talented as a footballer player. For example his dribbeling and first touch are not really that special.

 

[NecssryEvil]

The people claiming others are writing him off are throwning nonsense accusations against people that have concerns or doubts about him to discredit their argument. No one is writing him off. And he's nothing like a young Ronaldo. Don't know where that came from.

They may not be saying the words but if you look at a few comments from the first page of quotes after the Arsenal game one could say that they are the ones throwing out nonsense accusations. Or at least they are exaggerating the situation to try and enhance their argument.

"Still young."

Gimme a break. He's 21, not a fecking child. He should be more than capable of handling criticism, of which there should be plenty because he's been fecking garbage since he came here, bar one game against Brugge.

Let's be honest, he's been utter crap for United.

I haven't seen anything remotely close to him being a United player meterial.. Worst player on the pitch goes to Rooney but he is always close second.

It's all like playing every game in 10

He really shouldn't be playing so often. He has been awful and shouldn't be on the pitch.

I agree with this. I haven't bought the Memphis hype like many here have done. And so far today, he's been absolutely disgraceful.

If you want to say that you feel he needs to improve, that we should explore other options or give other suggestions on how to make things better for the team AND the player then I am all for it. But for people to come on and say that he has been such an absolute disgraceful, fecking garbage, utter crap player that we are basically playing with 10 men so he shouldn't be on the pitch because he is not United quality? Nothing constructive in those kind of posts unless your goal is to pile on and try to look cool.

Look, I don't have the answer, I wish I did. There are a couple main schools of thought... keep putting him in and let him try to play through it or spoon feed him into easy situations where he can (hopefully) run riot and gain confidence that way. There is probably a happy medium there in certain cases too ("easy" opponents start him, sub him late if possible in the rest). Guess we shall see what the manager does here in a couple weeks, hopefully injuries will not dictate who plays.

I sure would like to hear what LVG and the rest of the coaches are telling him right now. Hopefully they are not getting their inspiration of what to say to him off the Caf.

 

[Eckers99]

He's paying the price for the general lack of options up front. I'm all for buying young talent but I'd rather see them gradually introduced, rather than thrown in at the deep end and played in every game. We just don't have the depth to allow him to slowly adapt. And he's struggling as a result.

 

[Freak]

He's got talent, but seriously learn to control the fecking ball and stop running into defenders when dribbling them.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

In an interview on his physique:

'I do everything to keep my body in a topcondition, I don't want to become too big because I still need to be agile and keep my flexibility. I'm not in the gym everyday, I just maintain it (my muscles) and some of it is genetics.' (the latter is true)

The guy has been a physical beast ahead of his age group since his childhood, I don't think bulking down now when he's 21 would dramatically improve his performances somehow. He never was a dribbler like Nani/Hazard and bulking down won't make him into that. He also has professional coaches at the club and in his private life, I'm pretty sure we can trust their advice to him.

Outta curiosity, what's your opinion been on Memphis so far here? I know you raved about him before he came.

 

[NL Max]

Outta curiosity, what's your opinion been on Memphis so far here? I know you raved about him before he came.

Mainly underwhelming so far, but I am still sure he will turn out good as he has shown flashes and gets in good positions.

He's had alot of terrible performances even at PSV, the difference is that he would score in alot of those matches in the ED as he would get more chances. I know he's much better already than he's showing, he has alot of tools in his box but it's not coming off yet. Last year he showed he could do much more than just cutting in, he had freedom to contribute all over the pitch. Now he's being asked to play out wide more again (for the benefit of the team) and in a possesion based team, not a counter attacking team. The injury to Shaw didn't help him either as he needs to form a new partnership now. I think it's all about adapting for him and I personally am glad van Gaal is giving him that chance, although I never disagreed when he was taken off.

I do think some of the criticism in this thread is ott though, especially those questioning his mentality. If I were to name his weaknesses now it'd be his decision making and backtracking, even though the latter is something he's already improving on as he rarely had to do that.

 

[pocco]

Another worrying thing for me was that picture of him out clubbing with Chris Browns ex, wearing a grill. As someone else just said, he seems to think he's a superstar already. Who the feck goes out in Manchester wearing a grill?

 

[BringNaniBack]

That's bloody hilarious coming from a Nani fan you was arguably one of the most frustrating players we have ever had. I would like to know how you can call his last season at PSV average considering the amount and versatility of goals he scored. Like many on here you were probably expecting someone with excellent dribbling like hazard or sterling but he's nothing like that kind of player. Instead he will develop into a pacy,strong and brilliant wide forward of that I'm sure.

Nani wasn't relevant to this conversation seeing that I didn't mention him Mr Januzaj but as you bought him into it.......I didn't say Memphis last season at PSV was average, I just said he is average and as a premiership player that's what I think he is, average. But if you were to ask me I would swap Nani for Memphis right now. Memphis is consistently poor however frustrating or inconsistent people say Nani was, go check his assists and see how consistent he actually was. Even when having a bad game Nani would assist or could sometimes pull a goal out of nowhere, I don't feel like Memphis can do that, maybe im judging him to early but other than the champions league games hes been pretty useless. This isn't just bigging up Nani either because I actually think Memphis is about Stuart Downing level currently.

 

[Devil81]

My biggest worry with Memphis is whether he's driven enough by football or more so the glamour of being a celeb.

That's why when I seen him go missing against Swansea and then Arsenal at weekend it worried me a little. He's a really talented lad, we've just gotta hope he follows the right path and fulfills his potential.

 

[Maradona10]

i d rather play herrera on the left right now. Memphis needs some rest, just like ronaldo used to be taken away from the team. I do think most overrate hos ability though. He does not have skill to beat a man, you have that from when you are young, The trick young uses he would have used since he was 12, same with martial, valencia, ronaldo, robben,ribery, verratti etc. Memphis just doesnt seem to have the ability to skin his fullback. His lack of tracking back kills the team even more . i say start rooney or young or herrera on left.Maybe even give wilson a chance from there but take memphis out, its too easy for opposition right now, everyone knows he will step inside and hit a shot . its not like he is valencia who sets up an opponent to go outside him and it works most if the time to give him space to cross, for memphis his trick is easily seen and thwarted away and he has nothing else to offer. Nani was better because he went in and out, full backs never knew where he will go, memphiz they are sure about. I think if memphis has to play, play him on right, play mata as 10 and rooney on the left. I hope he can show some good form as we cant afford to carry another player, but i think this season will be a tough one for him.

 

[cesc's_mullet]

Another worrying thing for me was that picture of him out clubbing with Chris Browns ex, wearing a grill. As someone else just said, he seems to think he's a superstar already. Who the feck goes out in Manchester wearing a grill?

Pictures please... Surely not?

 

[GledTheRed]

Pictures please... Surely not?

It's true http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-success-Chris-Brown-s-ex-Karrueche-Tran.html

What a cnut he looks.