“When was the last time we had a strong midfield?”
Strong relative to what? Or to who?
If we treat Manchester United as an elite football club, which it is, then the answer is probably 2008 or 2009 at the latest.
We had the numbers, the quality and a young Brazilian who we hoped would develop into a top class player (bless his heart Ando, will always be a legend for the CL final penalty).
2009/2010 was Carrick’s worst season in a United shirt but Fletcher really stepped up, although a different type of player.
2010/2011 Carrick and Giggs formed an excellent partnership in the second half of that season resulting in a title and a masterclass at the bridge in the CL against Chelsea, poor lads got obliterated by Barca’s trio and Messi at their very peak, but same can be said about most.
I believe the plan at this point was to integrate Pogba and Ravel Morrison into the team in the next couple of years, didn’t materialize.
2011/2012 Ando and Clev was fun while it lasted, had to bring Carrick back into the first team and Scholes back from retirement to steady the ship.
2012/2013 Carrick’s best season in a United shirt, Scholes on his last legs, Cleverley did what he could and was solid enough, held his own against Real Madrid.
2013/2014
Any midfield combinations we’ve had since went on decent runs here and there, but at no point was it elite, or remotely comparable to the United teams that won the CL.
Matic + variations of Pogba, Fellaini, Herrera in those 2-3 months in Mourinho’s second season was probably the best midfield and the closest United team to the SAF era.
I remember Pogba Herrera and Fellaini completely bossing the Ajax kids in the EL final with their physicality.
Herrera Carrick Fellaini were good during that run in LvG’s first season.
Mctominay Fred were solid in a pivot against City under Ole a couple of times.
Casemiro - Eriksen were alright until Eriksen got injured.
And the less said about Schweinsteiger - Schneiderlin the better.
It hasn’t been great, but, tomorrow is another day.
Everyday, every reality is a new reality.Every new reality is a new horizon,a brand new experience of living.
Mainoo could be the catalyst for the next elite Manchester United midfield.
