Why was he pretending to be a CB leaving his position? Pogba was all on his own covered 5 Southampton players. If it’s tactical someone should get a fine for that.
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Most one footed player ever. Everything has to be done on his left foot and because he sits deep it often puts our team under pressure.
Rested for who mate? We have no better option, that's why a CDM should be a priority this transfer window along with a RW.
He was poor today, couldn't deal with their press and also lost possession easily. Also his games should be managed properly, when he gets proper rest he plays well. When he plays almost every game his performance regresses gradually.
He shouldn't start vs Palace, should be rested.
He shouldn't start vs Palace, should be rested.
It is clear that he can't play every game. It was also clear he was tired as his performances had depreciated. Very obvious but Ole still persisted to use him. If Ole thought not to rest him because he doesn't trust Fred or Mctominay to play his position then we better be in for a DM. I'm just confused at the decision to play Matic 4 games in a row in such little time because it is very obvious fatigue will catch up to him.
Mixed bag of a game. Poor in the first 20 ish minutes, then he did his usual stuff he's good at, breaking up the play, passing upfront, being calm on the ball...then he faded away which is probably due to him being overplayed.
Can't agree there. He doesn't show for the ball at all when teams are pressing. You need your DM to be willing to receive the ball in tight areas in order to mitigate the high press. Instead, Matic will drop off to the defensive line, someones even behind the CBs or FBs in order to find space, meaning he's restricting the passing options for him and everyone else in the team. We don't need him occupying the same space as Shaw. We need him giving Shaw an option to pass to.
I think Fred should get the nod for the Palace match.
So Matic is no longer " Die Antwoord " anymore huh?
Was the man a few weeks ago
Was the man a few weeks ago
Got his 3 year contract and he’s been below par ever since 
I was glad he proved me wrong with his good form, because we definitely needed him. But, as expected, soon enough he became passive and tired, and probably our biggest problem yesterday. I hope the problem is temporarily, which is those 5 games that he's played in a row rather than his usual one great and many average/poor games when he is starter regulary, and great again after being sidelined for few games.
It's time to give the chance to Scott again.
It's time to give the chance to Scott again.
If the problem is the DM at home vs soton we have much bigger problems...
This game was lost in midfield, that I can agree on, but Pogba had a poor game and so did Bruno and Matic. Thats why we struggled and eventually drew the game
I think Fred should have been the one starting against Southampton not Matic. Matic didn't do bad except for that goal should have clear it but I believe Fred would have been better playing that deeper role and provide more cover for Pogba or any 2nd ball. Fred is very good when winning those 2nd ball. Matic just not effective against the high press.
And Matic should be the one who should play against Palace since they are likely to sit deep and Matic is suit for the role.
And Matic should be the one who should play against Palace since they are likely to sit deep and Matic is suit for the role.
Yes I don't know why Ole didn't play Fred. Asides from Fred suiting the game more, Matic needed rest and it was obvious to see. It reminds me of how he keeps playing Bruno because he doesn't trust Pereira or Lingard
Fred was easier for Southampton to pass than a zebra crossing. Lets be real. Fred's strengths are pressing when we're playing in a compact shape and want to go to the wings quickly for counter attacks. He is not very good at holding the ball in a situation where we ourselves are being pressed and the team is trying to stretch the pitch, meaning our players are spread out.
The reason Matic keeps playing is nobody else in our team understands the defensive midfield role. Its not in Fred or McTominay's make up to drop back into the centre of the defence to allow our centre backs to split and our full backs to move into midfield to make the pitch wider. Even if they're being told to do it, we've seen them play enough to know they don't do it naturally. They also do not naturally sniff out danger. They're great when the game is in front of them and will harry and harass the player on the ball. However, neither has the instinct for sniffing out danger and positioning themselves well when we're defending transitions. Especially when the ball is out wide.
Either Fred and McTominay need to be strapped to a chair and forced to watch Michael Carrick matches until they understand the role, or United just need to buy a quality defensive midfielder who can rotate with or take Matic's place. Until then he will keep playing because, as you point out, Solskajer trusts the other players as much to do Matic's job as he trusts Andreas and Lingard to do Bruno's job.
Yeah clips of Fred losing the ball just flashed through my head. I'd say Fred isn't fit to play Matic's role because he lacks awareness of his surroundings which can make it hard for him to beat the press. He also gets dribbled passed easily. I think he would be of more use in that Matic's position only against teams that sit back because he is good at progressing the ball forward and can recover the ball when the opponent counters.
That's how I'd manage Matic. Play Matic against teams that press and play Fred against teams that sit back.
He just loves hanging onto the ball. The moment he is under physical pressure, he doesn't release the ball until he's shaked off the pressure, and when he doesn't shake it off, it's possession for the other team.
Honestly, we just need to get some players off the wage bill and target a top quality defensive midfielder. We have far too many limited players eating away at the first team's budget. We just need to get them out and then go after someone like Ruben Neves who is outstanding in that role. Until then we're relying on Matic (or Fred or McTominay to suddenly become Gilberto Silva or Darren Fletcher).
Crystal Palace 0:2 Man Utd
The difference he makes when he's on the pitch is massive
Came in and calmed the game
The comments on here earlier this week 
. A week in which Pogba and Bruno have also been shite. Every now and then, a player has an off day, quite often when the team are off, many players are also.
Showed again tonight that he's such an important player for us. Is absolutely miles better than McTom at everything. Such a calming influence.
. A week in which Pogba and Bruno have also been shite. Every now and then, a player has an off day, quite often when the team are off, many players are also.Showed again tonight that he's such an important player for us. Is absolutely miles better than McTom at everything. Such a calming influence.
Dwelling on the ball again and could have costed us. No idea why he can't just keep passing. It isn't like he's going to ping a 40 yard pass.
Feel like this is why we need Thiago.
Matic's composure is not replaceable in our squad and whenever he gets injured we will struggle. I find him better than Pogba in deep positions because he releases quickly and is more clever in how he uses his body to win the ball without drawing fouls.
Matic's composure is not replaceable in our squad and whenever he gets injured we will struggle. I find him better than Pogba in deep positions because he releases quickly and is more clever in how he uses his body to win the ball without drawing fouls.
Miles ahead of McTominay at the moment. Game completely changed when he came on.
Utterly and completely top class in the role he plays
Gonna be hard to find an adequate replacement in a couple of years
Gonna be hard to find an adequate replacement in a couple of years
The gulf in class between him and Mctominay was clear as day today. So much more composure and much much better positioning. He also makes some very good forward passes. A crucial tackle and ball forward for the 2nd goal.
Helped us regain control of midfield once he was subbed on.
Again, class player. We just need to manage his minutes well and don't overplay him. We need to know when to rest him to always have him in form in crucial games.
Again, class player. We just need to manage his minutes well and don't overplay him. We need to know when to rest him to always have him in form in crucial games.
Aye, Pogba ends up too deep when Matic isn't on the pitch.
As important as Bruno and Pogba. Glues the team together.
Sorely missed his presence first half.. hes a cut above MCT and Fred Imo.
Scott can be given all the chances in the World @Amar, but he's simply not in the same league as Matic as was clearly on show tonight.
McTominay has no clue how to play that role.
Fair enough, but we have no idea what would happen if Matic started the game.
He virtually changed the game when he came on. We looked far more stable and comfortable in the midfield when he was introduced.
He is such an important player to this team.
He is such an important player to this team.
How reliant are we on this guy. We lack composure when he’s not on the pitch, which is worrying since he can’t play every game.
Anyone who thinks Fred and Mctominay are good enough to do his job needs to get their heads checked. The role this man performs for us is absolutely cruical and he is the only one who has the skillset. It so obvious Mctominay is not good enough in the deeper role.
Dunno if we could have seen that game out without him.
Yes we do have an idea. We are on a big unbeaten run and Matic started almost every match.
He was one of the reason we lost points in our last match. His form has been great though, and fair feck to him, but my point is that he eventually gets tired, far quicker tham others, that's why we have no idea how we would do in the second half if he started the game.
If anything you need to know what is his weakness and his strength. His strength is more suitable against team like Palace who won't press you high. Against team who press high like Southampton, Fred is more suitable to start, Matic is weak against that type of team when playing in that role.
In desperate need of a younger version of him.
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