The only thing I don't like is using players in role which don't suit them. And if we're going to play Fred behind Eriksen and Bruno, all of them will suffer. This is not the way to go for a number of reasons.
Also there's a difference between "doesn't care about the idea of defensive midfielders" and "I'm going to play two attacking midfielders in Central areas". It's about balance and how to utilise the players we have.
Is that you Harry?
Well it's a bit of a stretch to say ETH likes Fred in that deeper role, since he doesn't have many other options.Ten Hag appears to like Fred in that deeper role, at least until we actually buy somebody better.
Haha that did make me laugh!
I just personally haven't seen a single United game yet where I've come away thinking Varane stood out or played better than any other defender.
By all means name his best games and I'll go watch the highlights and come back and say I was wrong if required.
Folk are picking him based on his name and his past record but has he improved us since he arrived? He hasn't.
For me he plays like he's had his successful career already, next to better players who made him look better than he actually is.
Show me the evidence of his class in a United shirt so far and I'm happy to back down and shamelessly change my opinion!
I'll wait.
Haha that did make me laugh!
I just personally haven't seen a single United game yet where I've come away thinking Varane stood out or played better than any other defender.
By all means name his best games and I'll go watch the highlights and come back and say I was wrong if required.
Folk are picking him based on his name and his past record but has he improved us since he arrived? He hasn't.
For me he plays like he's had his successful career already, next to better players who made him look better than he actually is.
Show me the evidence of his class in a United shirt so far and I'm happy to back down and shamelessly change my opinion!
I'll wait.
Ronaldo has had lots of personal problems in recent months. One thing his professionalism can't be doubted, he will out score everyone this season in our team again. Martial or Rashford have never scored 25 goals in a season for the club in 7+ years.Really like this team however Ronaldo heart is no longer here, Varane needs to stay fit for period of time and Rashford and Martial should start together as they seem to link up well
this.Eriksen & Bruno to roam/interchange...
De Gea
Dalot Varane Lindelof Shaw
Martinez Fred
Eriksen
Sancho Martial Bruno
Be prepared to concede a ton of goals with that setup. Dalot is probably the worst defending fullback in the league, and Fred in all his years here, has never been reliable as a single pivot / DM. He’s a box-to-box midfielder who has the positional sense of a gnat.Rashford Martial Sancho
Eriksen Bruno
Fred
Malacia/Shaw Martinez Maguire Dalot
De Gea
Honestly, Shaw/Malacia to me is the only position right now that is up in the air. To start the season, it'll be lindelof for Martinez and Mctominay in for Eriksen and going 4231 (with Malacia starting) due to the fitness of some of them, but I think the above will be our go to if nothing significant happens this summer. Some talk for Sesko to replace Ronaldo, so he would turn into the first attacking sub if any of the front 3 drop, Bruno will rotate among the attackers as well with McTominay or Donny or Garner coming into the midfield depending on situation. Varane will have to fight for his spot back, but I think we have a healthy group of 4 for centerbacks. Just get rid of the dead wood.
Our most problematic area currently is Wan Bissaka as backup for Dalot as he just doesn't seem motivated as a backup (might be fine though), and then our lack of depth in attack. A winger to rotate in would go a long way IMO.
I put him on the bench as well seeing as he's just arrived, and Telles is off and let's hope another cm and striker is in by end of window.So our new signing Malacia not even on the bench?
Dalot really is not bad. Milan liked him a lot when they took him on loan, he is the backup for Cancelo in Portugal's national team, and Ten Hag clearly likes him. He's also young, and young full backs tend to improve with age. Defensively he's no worse than Wan Bissaka at everything other than just straight up 1 v 1 defending, which is that guys only quality.Be prepared to concede a ton of goals with that setup. Dalot is probably the worst defending fullback in the league, and Fred in all his years here, has never been reliable as a single pivot / DM. He’s a box-to-box midfielder who has the positional sense of a gnat.
Assuming the De Jong chase is over:
DDG
Anyone but Diogo Dalot
Varane
Maguire/Martinez
Shaw
Garner (more hope than anything here… He hasn’t played enough in preseason)
Fred
Bruno
Sancho
Ronaldo
Rashford
Agree with 10 of 11 but it's not obvious to me how Maguire is better than Varane.I think it's pretty obvious with the exception of left back tbh.
De GeaI could definitely see Malacia taking the lb slot from Shaw if he doesn't perform but for now I still think it's Shaw
Dalot Maguire Martinez Shaw
Eriksen Fred Bruno
Sancho Martial Rashford
I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on Dalot. You’re right, his positioning is no worse than AWB, but he doesn’t have the pace to make up for those mistakes. The times he does look good defensively are when we are in a low block defending. Defending the counterattack he’s a disaster. He has really poor instincts in when to close down opponents (Felix goal). AWB is so bad in passing and movement that Dalot is the only option (for now).Dalot really is not bad. Milan liked him a lot when they took him on loan, he is the backup for Cancelo in Portugal's national team, and Ten Hag clearly likes him. He's also young, and young full backs tend to improve with age. Defensively he's no worse than Wan Bissaka at everything other than just straight up 1 v 1 defending, which is that guys only quality.
Anyway - I agree the midfield is too light otherwise, but it'll be game by game. Games where Ten Hag feels we can dominate without the added solidity he'll probably pair Bruno with Eriksen. Other times, Donny or McTominay might come in, or if Garner progresses as you say.
That Felix lad is lethal. I doubt there are many defenders would have dealt with that.I think we’ll have to agree to disagree on Dalot. You’re right, his positioning is no worse than AWB, but he doesn’t have the pace to make up for those mistakes. The times he does look good defensively are when we are in a low block defending. Defending the counterattack he’s a disaster. He has really poor instincts in when to close down opponents (Felix goal). AWB is so bad in passing and movement that Dalot is the only option (for now).
‘Let’s hope we can bring someone in as a DM or ETH can magically change some of our bad habits!
Agree with 10 of 11 but it's not obvious to me how Maguire is better than Varane.
Yeah he has been good preseason tbf. Like you say hopefully Varane stays fit and takes the spot off himWell, based on the pre-season Maguire's definitely looked more prepared for the start of the season. If Varane can get fit and back to his best then there might be more room for debate in my mind. I think Maguire's had a good pre-season tbh. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt despite his horrendous performances last season. If those performances come back, hopefully Varane is ready to come in and perform at his Real level.
Degea
Dalot
Maguire
Varane
Martinez
Van de beek
Bruno
Sancho
Cr7
Ericksen
Ten hag would NEVER pick this though.
10 goals in 35 appearances…. Not exactly lethal. He is quality. So are Diaz, Foden, Son, Zaha, Jota, etc. I think Ten Hag will see very quickly that Dalot needs a massive improvement or he’s not a PL fullback.That Felix lad is lethal. I doubt there are many defenders would have dealt with that.
NAh. Just missed out malacia by mistake. It was waaay late at night and I was sleepyYou really chose TEN hag lineup
Surprised at the variations on here to be honest, clicked on the thread expecting most to say the same starting 11 due to how light the squad is. Plus, speaking with friends we all seem to think the same 11 is our strongest at present, although that will change hopefully once Varane gets fit and stops looking so rusty.
DDG
Dalot Maguire Martinez Malacia
Fred Eriksen
Sancho Bruno Rashford
Martial
Basically the 11 that started most games on the tour, but with Martinez and Eriksen for Lindelof and McTominay.
For what it's worth I don't think we'll start against Brighton like this as I expect the 2 fitter players to start the game, but I'd guess by the Southampton game this will be our regular 11
I agree other than Varane for Maguire. Don't really see Ten Hag going any other way when everyone's fully fit. For away games I could see McTominay coming in sometimes for Eriksen or Bruno with Eriksen playing at number 10.
Do you mean the kind of professionalism that makes you spend the entire preseason at home while the rest of the team does a world tour, while also flirting with every big club in Europe? The only thing that is certain is that no matter how many goals he scores for us, we would score more and concede less without him. Having a nice 6-pack to show off on your insta does not make you a good professional. Let's see how professional he is when staying on the bench for 90 minutes.Ronaldo has had lots of personal problems in recent months. One thing his professionalism can't be doubted, he will out score everyone this season in our team again. Martial or Rashford have never scored 25 goals in a season for the club in 7+ years.
Varane is a problem, he really needs to stay fit.
I don't know, I think Zidane will understand and fight even harder for a spot.It’s going to be weird benching the GOAT.
Are you suggesting that they're in Scott's locker? He needs to give that locker a clean out and find them thenPeople who put Fred in an anchor role, or the base of a midfield diamond, are suicidal. Fred has abilities, but receiving the ball from the defense, relieving pressure, and springing a counter are not in his locker. It shows how thin the squad still is, but I'd expect McT to start in that holding role before Fred would. Fred has to be used further up the pitch, and that's where more competition for places is, so Fred's going to miss out.
No, not in McT's locker either, sadly. But he rarely tries anything fancy and isn't pushed off the ball so easily. McT will always look for the safest option.Are you suggesting that they're in Scott's locker? He needs to give that locker a clean out and find them then
That's true but that also just isn't good enough?No, not in McT's locker either, sadly. But he rarely tries anything fancy and isn't pushed off the ball so easily. McT will always look for the safest option.
