I like what I've seen of him in the middle so far. Definitely preferable to him playing on the wing. It really wouldn't surprise me to see him and Rooney exchange roles as the season went on. Kinda like Rooney and Hernandez did a few years back,
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I rather give Depay more freedom, but if Depay becomes a better player playing centrally, I am all for it.
Gaaly on Memphis-Rooney combo:
Am I the only one who gets the feeling from that that we will eventually go back to the 4-3-3, which naturally has a more wider approach when it comes to the forwards?
Am I the only one who gets the feeling from that that we will eventually go back to the 4-3-3, which naturally has a more wider approach when it comes to the forwards?
Just wanted to add that I feel Memphis will really compliment Rooney's play, because when Rooney drops for the ball, Memphis will always try and run in behind. Yesterday there were a few occasions when he was through but we didn't pick him out.
Having said that, I only think we had that space because Barca play with a very high line like ourselves. Be interesting to see how he gets on when we play teams that play with eleven men behind the ball, because we really struggled against teams like that last season.
Having said that, I only think we had that space because Barca play with a very high line like ourselves. Be interesting to see how he gets on when we play teams that play with eleven men behind the ball, because we really struggled against teams like that last season.
I hope so! Its very hard to understand LVG's comments at times though.
yea,
that's him basically saying they'll link up and be able to find eachother better when depay is wide and rooney is central.
maybe playing them together is intentional for the footballing relationship.
Not sure it has anything to with that, because by the sound of things, he's happy with how Memphis and Rooney have been doing down the middle. I just think he means playing with a bit more width, and making sure the wingers don't cut in too early.
Remember someone saying the other day how impressed Van Gaal was with Lingard for keeping the width, in comparison to Mata, who came in too early at times and closed the space.
Also, if you look at our second goal yesterday, Wilson kept the width, which stretched Barca. From there, Blackett was able to make the overlap and we scored.
Those comments from Van Gaal suggest that we're looking at another option for right wing. Pedro, I guess.
Sounds like Van Gaal is saying its good Memphis and Rooney are passing to each other a lot but sometimes he prefers when we pass the ball out wide.
What comments? I don't think we need a right winger at all
Ye that sounds spot on to me.
I wouldn't advise that to any team, because he will shoot from distance and can score every time. That's the problem with players like him or Bale, you play deep they shoot as if the hunting season was open and if you play high they run behind you.
And how often will they score from these shots? Not very often I would say.
Finally a New United number 7 that fits the role.
Well, four or five time per season, should be enough.
Often enough for teams to see it as a big threat and try and stop it.
The lack of players with this ability lately has been one of the reasons we have struggled with teams who keep 11 men behind the ball tbh
When he said "it should be better when we have a wider orientation" it sounds as though he prefers a winger who holds the width.
That, or as @AttackingFlair said, using the wings more often, instead of just passing to each other all the time. Notice Van Gaal said sometimes they look for each other too much. 'Yes I think they try to do their utmost best to look for each other and sometimes I think too much'.
"when we have a wider orientation" implies some sort of systemic shift to facilitate that, although there's probably not too much point in analyzing the finer nuances of Van Gaal's english. It's just a guess.
I guess it could be interpreted in two ways..
a) The wider orientation coming from when Memphis himself, when he is wide, not central
b) The wider orientation coming from other players (maybe Pedro in for Mata?)
No, the lack of a Hazard or Messi player has. That's exactly the same reason why Real Madrid couldn't break Juve down and why Barca could. Ronaldo and Bale needs space to be dangerous. Messi doesen't.
That's a worry this season. Depay and Di Maria (or Pedro) is great, direct players (like Bale). But who's gonna play the final ball in our team?
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Quite like the Memphis Rooney partnership. Think he's done well in this free-roam position to be honest.
Memphis 7. Knew it all along!
Was just about to post that, brilliant finish.
Are those United booty shorts available to buy?
Memphis is built like Hazard and Overmars. Short attackers with great speed and power.
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Goalkeeper should have come for the ball, sell him
His thighs are huge.
Looked really sharp today. Really strong at holding up the ball and has really quick feet to turn defenders. We just need to feed the ball into him more. He's class though, think he'll have a great season.
He will have a very frustrating season if his partner up front doesn't step up.
Needs to bulk up.
Looks creative without actually creating very much on tour.
He lacks the subtlety for that #10 role, that's either Mata, Herrera or Fellaini's job. Put him out wide and let him take on some defenders, his strength and quickness should help him get some purchase there.
He looked out of place centrally at times. He didn't seem to have the level of awareness and off the ball movement needed to play there.
In my opinion he is a bit raw still. Wasteful with the ball a lot of the time and really doesn't have the close control to play in that role.
Of course it's early days.
Of course it's early days.
His power and control allows him to protect the ball well centrally but I think we are denying him his chance to really shine with more space on the left to run at defenses, especially given how limited the quality of our options out wide are.
Also to add on, anything creative or exciting we seem to do goes through him. He's the only one willing to try flicks or to make a chance. Just want him to be a bit more selfish and have a shot at goal instead of looking for the pass all the time which he was guilty of today.
He oozes class. Will be a fantastic player for us once he gets a few full speed Prem games under his belt.
Was on a different level (a higher one) to the other attackers. If we are so determined not to play him on the left, I'd try him as a 9.
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