[m1y2]

Told you it would take no time to replace Carrick, we have been so reluctant to buy defensive midfielder for ages! Him Herrera and Sweinsteiger will be the best midfield in premier league. He is immediate upgrade on Carrick and will be better player in no time and the best signing since Carrick, he's like mix of Keano and Carrick, fantastic player to have..

yeah and he will be even better if we chose to press high up the pitch, his stamina is just nonsense

 

[shaggy]

Makes up for ignoring matic a couple of seasons ago.

 

[ZDwyr]

I was impressed with hin. Don't want to go overboard because it is pre-season but he looked like the midfielder we've wanted for years.

 

[izec]

Very good performance, was everywhere.

 

[izec]

His long range passing was impressive.

 

[LR7]

Morgasm

I said it on the match thread but he looks to have an the same engine as Park. When everyone else was starting to struggle out there he seemed to be growing in energy. He's going to make such a difference this season.

He's had an extra week of preseason though hasn't he? He was back training with Saints before our lads came back. Does seem to have good stamina though. I find the idea of him and Herrera (who are both energetic) playing in midfield together quite exciting in that regard.

 

[AKDevil]

Don't want to go overboard as it's only preseason but this guy...a serious player.
Would have been fuming if we bought Bastian instead of him.
At the same time, why is Carrick being dismissed?
We all know how important he is.

 

[Kill 'em all]

Don't want to go overboard as it's only preseason but this guy...a serious player.
Would have been fuming if we bought Bastian instead of him.
At the same time, why is Carrick being dismissed?
We all know how important he is.

He was bullied off the ball quite easily a couple of times.

 

[Stretford Red1978]

I've loved this guy for the longest time! Played really well and scored!!! Very exciting for the future!

 

[AKDevil]

He was bullied off the ball quite easily a couple of times.

Who?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Who?

I presume he means Michael, that's how I read it anyway.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

A few ridiculous claims that he's an upgrade on carrick because he can tackle hard and looked tidy vs club america. Carrick went into games last year and made us look a lot better than city/liverpool among others. We'll see if schneiderlin can do the same but for now, if carrick is fit, then himself and herrera are already the best partnership in the league, and just adding basti or morgan will make that stronger, no need to change that winning formula for the first few big game s I don't think

 

[amolbhatia50k]

A few ridiculous claims that he's an upgrade on carrick because he can tackle hard and looked tidy vs club america. Carrick went into games last year and made us look a lot better than city/liverpool among others. We'll see if schneiderlin can do the same but for now, if carrick is fit, then himself and herrera are already the best partnership in the league, and just adding basti or morgan will make that stronger, no need to change that winning formula for the first few big game s I don't think

We've finished 4th and 7th the previous two seasons. I'm not sure whether we've found the "winning formula" yet. Schweinstiger for example, injuries permitting, is better then anyone we have. If he shows his best in training, he simply has to start, even if we won't a few games last season against City and Liverpool.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

We've finished 4th and 7th the previous two seasons. I'm not sure whether we've found the "winning formula" yet. Schweinstiger for example, injuries permitting, is better then anyone we have. If he shows his best in training, he simply has to start, even if we won't a few games last season against City and Liverpool.

We hit good form last season with carrick herrera and fellaini and a switch to 4-3-3, our midfield outclassed every team we played, ending with an injury to carrick. We can replace fellaini in that midfield 3 but I think dropping carrick when he was able to dominate the best teams last year is a bit harsh. To say schneid is an upgrade after a game vs club america is plainly ridiculous.

That said if we are going to play this 4-4-2 then carrick is likely done

 

[AKDevil]

A few ridiculous claims that he's an upgrade on carrick because he can tackle hard and looked tidy vs club america. Carrick went into games last year and made us look a lot better than city/liverpool among others. We'll see if schneiderlin can do the same but for now, if carrick is fit, then himself and herrera are already the best partnership in the league, and just adding basti or morgan will make that stronger, no need to change that winning formula for the first few big game s I don't think

Agree. Think it's Fellaini who we may see less off. Remember thinking at the time that LVG Made a point along the lines of that sending off could be costly because he'd miss start of season. A good start could be bad news for him. Reckon to start might be Morgan in the league and Bastian in CL/Europe/when we need to control games late on as he gets up to speed. What a nice dilemma for LVG.

 

[ottosec]

He did really good, but let's not forget that he is one or two weeks ahead of the other players with the training. His performance was very promising, tho.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

We hit good form last season with carrick herrera and fellaini and a switch to 4-3-3, our midfield outclassed every team we played, ending with an injury to carrick. We can replace fellaini in that midfield 3 but I think dropping carrick when he was able to dominate the best teams last year is a bit harsh. To say schneid is an upgrade after a game vs club america is plainly ridiculous.

That said if we are going to play this 4-4-2 then carrick is likely done

Not disputing the Schneiderlin bit as I haven't seen enough of him.

But I don't agree regarding Carrick. We as a team dominated a few big games last season. It's not as if he was sat playing football alone. Herrera was key. Mata was key. But I don't think they all should be guaranteed to start just because they played really well in a few big games. Schweinstiger is for example simply a level above at his best to all of them. If Lvg sees him at his best in training you just have to start him. Using an exaggerated example, if Messi were in our squad today, would you play mata ahead of him because he did well in a run of games last season?

Similarly, for Schneiderlin too, it depends on who is looking good in training at the time. If he's looking better than Carrick I'd play him. And visa versa.

 

[AKDevil]

We've finished 4th and 7th the previous two seasons. I'm not sure whether we've found the "winning formula" yet. Schweinstiger for example, injuries permitting, is better then anyone we have. If he shows his best in training, he simply has to start, even if we won't a few games last season against City and Liverpool.

Think part of the problem in last couple of seasons is we've had good parts of the team but a lot of poor too so the good are having to overcompensate for the poor. I expect having a good right back and third quality cm that can play and mix it physically rather than be a target man who means we potentially lose possession trying to get him into the game will make a big difference

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Think part of the problem in last couple of seasons is we've had good parts of the team but a lot of poor too so the good are having to overcompensate for the poor. I expect having a good right back and third quality cm that can play and mix it physically rather than be a target man who means we potentially lose possession trying to get him into the game will make a big difference

I don't disagree. I think our midfield did well last season. Our control on games was the best aspect of last season. But it's always about trying to go up a notch, and this competition for places will further improve our midfield.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Not disputing the Schneiderlin bit as I haven't seen enough of him.

But I don't agree regarding Carrick. We as a team dominated a few big games last season. It's not as if he was sat playing football alone. Herrera was key. Mata was key. But I don't think they all should be guaranteed to start just because they played really well in a few big games. Schweinstiger is for example simply a level above at his best to all of them. If Lvg sees him at his best in training you just have to start him. Using an exaggerated example, if Messi were in our squad today, would you play mata ahead of him because he did well in a run of games last season?

Similarly, for Schneiderlin too, it depends on who is looking good in training at the time. If he's looking better than Carrick I'd play him. And visa versa.

Since bastian and carrick aren't known for playing a lot of games in a season it likely won't be an issue, and hopefully we get a few good cup runs and they both get to play 20-25 games

 

[Massive Spanner]

A few ridiculous claims that he's an upgrade on carrick because he can tackle hard and looked tidy vs club america. Carrick went into games last year and made us look a lot better than city/liverpool among others. We'll see if schneiderlin can do the same but for now, if carrick is fit, then himself and herrera are already the best partnership in the league, and just adding basti or morgan will make that stronger, no need to change that winning formula for the first few big game s I don't think

How can you possibly come to that conclusion?

 

[Crashoutcassius]

How can you possibly come to that conclusion?

I think when we played 4-3-3 last season and both of them played we looked the best we have looked in years, and made city/spurs and liverpool look very poor in a run of games. Credit to fellaini too I guess. This season I was hoping we could add to that trio and get some cover for carrick which is what it looked like we did... unless we are planning to play 2 CMs again like last night, which personally I wouldn't be happy about but I guess we'll see

 

[Massive Spanner]

I think when we played 4-3-3 last season and both of them played we looked the best we have looked in years, and made city/spurs and liverpool look very poor in a run of games. Credit to fellaini too I guess. This season I was hoping we could add to that trio and get some cover for carrick which is what it looked like we did... unless we are planning to play 2 CMs again like last night, which personally I wouldn't be happy about but I guess we'll see

that's great and all, but 'best partnership in the league', how can you possibly come to that conclusion?

 

[Vooon]

I didn't see the match, and haven't seen much of him in general, but in the youtube video on page nine he looks like a massive signing for us. Gotta wonder why no one picked him up earlier when realising that video was from the 2013/14 season.

How does he impose himself on the pitch? Is he a potential future captain?

 

[MDFC Manager]

I think when we played 4-3-3 last season and both of them played we looked the best we have looked in years, and made city/spurs and liverpool look very poor in a run of games. Credit to fellaini too I guess. This season I was hoping we could add to that trio and get some cover for carrick which is what it looked like we did... unless we are planning to play 2 CMs again like last night, which personally I wouldn't be happy about but I guess we'll see

I think the 442 we played was probably just to get the different players on the pitch in two separate, but fairly strong teams

 

[LeftyBlaster]

I think many people are being over the top here. Understandably so with the hype of seeing a new signing in action. It's great to see us with a proper destroyer type who can pass and move. But I did see him get muscled off the ball a few times and going down for a slide tackle that left us with one body down in our defensive posture. Having said that, obviously reads the game very well, can pass, is intelligent, and scored! Solid 7/10 for me today and it's exciting to see how he improves (and i think he will) once the team gels and gets more match sharp.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

that's great and all, but 'best partnership in the league', how can you possibly come to that conclusion?

just based on the quote you just read, referencing how we played better than the other good teams in the league

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Don't want to go overboard as it's only preseason but this guy...a serious player.
Would have been fuming if we bought Bastian instead of him.
At the same time, why is Carrick being dismissed?
We all know how important he is.

I can't remember Carrick ever having a good pre-season. That old tale about him taking a few weeks or months to get into a rhythm is probably the most legit thing Fergie ever said.

It's just great to have actual alternatives now.

 

[Massive Spanner]

just based on the quote you just read, referencing how we played better than the other good teams in the league

Funnily enough, I don't see Chelsea in your list.

 

[Lawman]

I didn't see the match, and haven't seen much of him in general, but in the youtube video on page nine he looks like a massive signing for us. Gotta wonder why no one picked him up earlier when realising that video was from the 2013/14 season.

How does he impose himself on the pitch? Is he a potential future captain?

Do you think YouTube is how clubs scout?

 

[DWelbz19]

Funnily enough, I don't see Chelsea in your list.

In his defence, I don't think they actually played together against Chelsea. Which, I assume is the point he's trying to get across. They are the 'best partnership' because when the two played together we bossed the bigger sides.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Those long range passes.

Was impressed with him today. Did what he had to do and was nice for him to get a goal.

I personally think Schneiderlin will start the majority of matches, due to his energy. Just a matter of who he starts with.

 

[Walrus]

Schneiderlin has the potential to be one of our best players for years to come, and along with Herrera become one of the best midfielders in the league.

I didnt see the game vs Club America but I am delighted that he appears to have slotted straight in without issue, that really bodes well for us as I would rather see him playing than Carrick or Schweinsteiger (primarily due to age).

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Funnily enough, I don't see Chelsea in your list.

Carrick was injured for chelsea game if you recall

 

[AKDevil]

I can't remember Carrick ever having a good pre-season. That old tale about him taking a few weeks or months to get into a rhythm is probably the most legit thing Fergie ever said.

It's just great to have actual alternatives now.

Also thought that. Problem now is in that area, if you're out the team we have good enough options to keep you out.

 

[Vooon]

Do you think YouTube is how clubs scout?

Yes, of course I do, that and local radio stations.

 

[Massive Spanner]

Carrick was injured for chelsea game if you recall

I'm not sure how much more simple I can make this. You're claiming them to be the best partnership in the league, clearly they're not, clearly Cesc and Matic are. A partnership that played together all season and haven't just played alongside each other a handful of times. A partnership that was pivotal in winning the league. There's simply no way Carrick and Herrera can be called the best partnership in the league ahead of them. Hell, I reckon we'll be lucky to see them play as a partnership more than ten times this season.

 

[RonaldoVII]

Very impressed with his 45 minutes. Can't wait to see more of him.

 

[itso 7]

I think we will have compatibility issues with the Carrick-Bastien partnership due to both lacking/losing mobility. In that vein I suspect it will be a case of Morgan +1 at the base if midfield with Herrera, Mata and Fellaini competing for the third midfield spot. So, if he settles well, he wil play lots of games for us and his ability to play both the #6 & #8 positions will serve him well since it means he can partner virtually any player in our midfield.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

I'm not sure how much more simple I can make this. You're claiming them to be the best partnership in the league, clearly they're not, clearly Cesc and Matic are. A partnership that played together all season and haven't just played alongside each other a handful of times. A partnership that was pivotal in winning the league. There's simply no way Carrick and Herrera can be called the best partnership in the league ahead of them. Hell, I reckon we'll be lucky to see them play as a partnership more than ten times this season.

Why did you ask about me leaving out chelsea when I was describing the teams they played well against and carrick didn't play against chelsea? Why would I have mentioned chelsea? There's no need to get all 'ill make this simple' when you ask a question like yours and I simply answer it. You're dragging this debate out with ill informed questions like that, so if we need to make it simpler maybe do so on your end by taking time and checking who played when or something