Exactly, this couldn't have been put any better. All these comments about Maguire being the problem and we need to get rid of him are laughable.Simply put, Maguire is our best cb. More than just ability, here's available every game. Can we say that about any other of our cb's?
CB is about pairs. Just like in midfield & attack. He needs a reliable cb next to him.
Man City had a similar issue, they splurged £60million on Dias and that will be the catalyst to winning them the league this season. Liverpool did the same with VVD and that was the catalyst for their league title. We did it with Maguire but.... well.... ermWe are doing the same excuses over and over again with all our underperforming players.
Maguire needs a ............. (Insert by choice) CB by his side.
Pogba needs ............ midfielder to play good.
Martial needs to be given ......... (Time, confidence, you name it).
The fact is, we have a lot of underperforming, sub par players in a lot of vital positions.
Our GK makes too many mistakes.
Our CB pairing is not comanding, two of them are injury prone, while the only one who isn't, our captain, probably isn't good enough.
Our attackers are misfiring.
We can go on and on and on.
Potential CB options are limited, you either have to groom one in the academy (something we haven't done in a lot of time), or we have to find gems in the market.
Or the last ditch, pour millions on a proven CB.
That hasn't worked for us either.
I have no idea how to solve our defensive problem.
Being reliable and available isn't enough. He genuinely doesn't seem like he enjoys defending at United, he constantly has a nervous energy. It's like he wants to get through the game as fast as possible and get it out of the way. Lack of organisation, lack of fight (DCL spinning him and leaving Maguire thrashing his arms looking for a non-existent foul was damning), lack of communication. It's endless, really. When you compare it to the likes of Vidic, Ferdinand, and even Bailly who all reveled in defending for Man Utd, it seems increasingly obvious that Maguire's mentality is probably not up to it.Simply put, Maguire is our best cb. More than just ability, here's available every game. Can we say that about any other of our cb's?
CB is about pairs. Just like in midfield & attack. He needs a reliable cb next to him.
Man City had a similar issue, they splurged £60million on Dias and that will be the catalyst to winning them the league this season. Liverpool did the same with VVD and that was the catalyst for their league title. We did it with Maguire but.... well.... erm
We are doing the same excuses over and over again with all our underperforming players.
Maguire needs a ............. (Insert by choice) CB by his side.
Pogba needs ............ midfielder to play good.
Martial needs to be given ......... (Time, confidence, you name it).
The fact is, we have a lot of underperforming, sub par players in a lot of vital positions.
Our GK makes too many mistakes.
Our CB pairing is not comanding, two of them are injury prone, while the only one who isn't, our captain, probably isn't good enough.
Our attackers are misfiring.
We can go on and on and on.
Potential CB options are limited, you either have to groom one in the academy (something we haven't done in a lot of time), or we have to find gems in the market.
Or the last ditch, pour millions on a proven CB.
That hasn't worked for us either.
I have no idea how to solve our defensive problem.
Not sure it will be so difficult to find the right partner. We just need a quality defender with pace e.g. a better, fitter baillyWhat a bargain Dias looks in comparison to Maguire. We’ve shot ourselves in the foot with Maguire, massively overspent on someone who is ok, not bad enough to get rid of but not good enough to compete.
Finding right partner may be tough, unless you are going to defend deep he is hard to play with.
Not sure it will be so difficult to find the right partner. We just need a quality defender with pace e.g. a better, fitter bailly
Being reliable and available isn't enough. He genuinely doesn't seem like he enjoys defending at United, he constantly has a nervous energy. It's like he wants to get through the game as fast as possible and get it out of the way. Lack of organisation, lack of fight (DCL spinning him and leaving Maguire thrashing his arms looking for a non-existent foul was damning), lack of communication. It's endless, really. When you compare it to the likes of Vidic, Ferdinand, and even Bailly who all reveled in defending for Man Utd, it seems increasingly obvious that Maguire's mentality is probably not up to it.
Agreed. The midfielders are adding goals this season so if we could get one of the front 3 to consistently contribute 20+ goals we’d be contendersI wouldn't say our attack is misfiring, we just scored three good goals, we should've won the game comfortably if it wasn't for our defence
Lindelof's available pretty much every match as well. They were both in the top six in terms of minutes played throughout all of Europe last season (Maguire was #1 but that was more because we refused to rest him rather than Lindelof missing games through injury). Lindelof has actually had a back problem for over a year now but has still been playing through the pain, with a few games recently the first time it's gotten bad enough that he's had to miss games. Once he actually gets a proper break for a while to give that time to heal properly (hopefully at the end of this season) he should be right.Simply put, Maguire is our best cb. More than just ability, here's available every game. Can we say that about any other of our cb's?
CB is about pairs. Just like in midfield & attack. He needs a reliable cb next to him.
Yeah I mean putting 2 new centrebacks together with a new keeper behind them and a new midfielder just in front.... what could possibly go wrong... no risk at all there...If we were to get a top class keeper, defensive minded midfielder and 2 new centre backs we would surely be title contenders next season because scoring goals isn't the issue and that's without Greenwood and martial playing anywhere as good as they were last season.
Given that we couldnt even sign a right forward this summer it also seems implausible we would be capable of signing quality players in so many positions. Add to that the fact we already have players on big contracts at cb and gk then there is basically no chance of it happening. I just hope we get a new cb and dmYeah I mean putting 2 new centrebacks together with a new keeper behind them and a new midfielder.... what could possibly go wrong... no risk at all there...
I'm guessing you probably expect us to get players from around Europe who don't even speak the same language let alone have any playing experience together and have them move their families and get used to a new country as well as the Premier league
Sounds crazy to me
Yeah a cb who can challenge lindelof and a matic replacement ... not sure I expect much more than that ... though with woody who knows... but expectations as not highGiven that we couldnt even sign a right forward this summer it also seems implausible we would be capable of signing quality players in so many positions. Add to that the fact we already have players on big contracts at cb and gk then there is basically no chance of it happening. I just hope we get a new cb and dm
A CB is one of the few positions you have to take whatever chance you get getting a "run of games" when you`re always making mistakes Smalling/Jones would get bashed for doesnt help the cause and post the PSG game he`s not had ONE good game
Maguire though was poor for that last goal more than the first which was 100% on De Gea but Axel`s in game management(plus AWB) just like other games was shocking you also cant deny that
Axel and Bailly are our better defenders who are so out of rhythm due to minutes they need time and patience. Believe it or not we have allowed Maguire to play himself into average form "many" times at United. There was a time everybody wanted him dropped he was making 2 mistakes a game and club and country. It wasn't "take your chance" for Harry Maguire we just had to wait till he became an "okay" CB, he's just not good enough.
Axel needs games as does Bailly it's not hard logic to understand. An inform and confident (and fit) Axel is better than Lindeloff, most people would agree that. A fit and inform Bailly is better than Maguire (most would admit that). All my argument is stating lets see how well they do as a partnership as they defend one on one situatuions better.
Not going to lambast deflections and fouls on De Gea and hold that against Axel, that sounds like an agenda.
Also not saying you're doing this but honestly what Axel is going through at our club sickens me. The scapegoating of black players in our fanbase HAS to be addressed, COWARDS behind keyboards. See it with Pogba, Martial, etc. If I could start a thread (still a newbie). We sweep it under the rug as fans and pretend we don't see the implicit biases when they happen.
Anyway listen I've said it before and I'll say it again we will win nothing elite and competitive with Maguire at the back for us. At best he may become one of those twilight CBs like Jonny Evans etc. But for now I can't see it. He's so poor at defending when isolated, this teams firepower needs competent CBs that don't need their hands held in one on one situatuions, and even set pieces etc something he is supposed to be good at he isn't as dominant as say a Kompany was for city. These are the levels I would expect from a CB captain at United.
You watch Liverpool last year Trent, Robbo, whoever could make mistakes didn't matter they had competent CBs to make up for them. Good centre halves are forgiving to their teams mistakes and attacking efforts even their full backs. Now the scousers don't have that Trent looks shakey.
Same thing with our centre halves, Maguire will never spark our team with that level of confidence. Our wingbacks midfielders etc aren't thinking "I'll tske this chance its okay Harry's at the back it goes wrong he'll tidy up", on the contrary I think its the opposite. He is not good enough lad, not where United are trying to get to.
Axel and Bailly are our better defenders who are so out of rhythm due to minutes they need time and patience. Believe it or not we have allowed Maguire to play himself into average form "many" times at United. There was a time everybody wanted him dropped he was making 2 mistakes a game and club and country. It wasn't "take your chance" for Harry Maguire we just had to wait till he became an "okay" CB, he's just not good enough.
Axel needs games as does Bailly it's not hard logic to understand. An inform and confident (and fit) Axel is better than Lindeloff, most people would agree that. A fit and inform Bailly is better than Maguire (most would admit that). All my argument is stating lets see how well they do as a partnership as they defend one on one situatuions better.
Not going to lambast deflections and fouls on De Gea and hold that against Axel, that sounds like an agenda.
Also not saying you're doing this but honestly what Axel is going through at our club sickens me. The scapegoating of black players in our fanbase HAS to be addressed, COWARDS behind keyboards. See it with Pogba, Martial, etc. If I could start a thread (still a newbie). We sweep it under the rug as fans and pretend we don't see the implicit biases when they happen.
Anyway listen I've said it before and I'll say it again we will win nothing elite and competitive with Maguire at the back for us. At best he may become one of those twilight CBs like Jonny Evans etc. But for now I can't see it. He's so poor at defending when isolated, this teams firepower needs competent CBs that don't need their hands held in one on one situatuions, and even set pieces etc something he is supposed to be good at he isn't as dominant as say a Kompany was for city. These are the levels I would expect from a CB captain at United.
You watch Liverpool last year Trent, Robbo, whoever could make mistakes didn't matter they had competent CBs to make up for them. Good centre halves are forgiving to their teams mistakes and attacking efforts even their full backs. Now the scousers don't have that Trent looks shakey.
Same thing with our centre halves, Maguire will never spark our team with that level of confidence. Our wingbacks midfielders etc aren't thinking "I'll tske this chance its okay Harry's at the back it goes wrong he'll tidy up", on the contrary I think its the opposite. He is not good enough lad, not where United are trying to get to.
I wouldn't say our attack is misfiring, we just scored three good goals, we should've won the game comfortably if it wasn't for our defence
But they are.
Inconsistentcy and bad decision making.
If we fail to score vs Premiership fodder then i would call that misfiring.
If Martial can only score when oppo has 9 players then that's not good.
If Rashford scores every third or fourth clear cut chance per game, then yes, they are misfiring.
It goes both ways, attack gives calmness to our defense as well as the other way around.
We have to score our chances and we have to pick up our defensive resiliance. We can't go on giving 3 goals per 3 chances, and, we can't have 8 clear cut chances and only score 3.
Lindelof's available pretty much every match as well. They were both in the top six in terms of minutes played throughout all of Europe last season (Maguire was #1 but that was more because we refused to rest him rather than Lindelof missing games through injury). Lindelof has actually had a back problem for over a year now but has still been playing through the pain, with a few games recently the first time it's gotten bad enough that he's had to miss games. Once he actually gets a proper break for a while to give that time to heal properly (hopefully at the end of this season) he should be right.
Don’t we have the most goals scored in the league at the moment? No team is putting away 90% of chances
Cavani with Martial/Greenwood rotating is fine at striker for now. RW maybe we have Diallo jump in, but realistically I think we get Sancho. It's nothing scary it's just standard improvement. We've improved a lot year on year but there are always steps and we need to take those steps to challenge more seriously.I admire the optimism and scary thing is we still need a CDM & RW/ST too
Cavani with Martial/Greenwood rotating is fine at striker for now. RW maybe we have Diallo jump in, but realistically I think we get Sancho. It's nothing scary it's just standard improvement. We've improved a lot year on year but there are always steps and we need to take those steps to challenge more seriously.
Henderson fine for the year, might as well give him the chance. But needs to get the chance as full time keeper, not cup games. Keepers need consistency. Revisit in 2022 or 2023. Definitely replace De Gea.What is your personal take on the GK situation
I admire the optimism and scary thing is we still need a CDM & RW/ST too
Trying to sign everybody and replace everybody isn’t good idea. Just look at Lampard.
CB & GK situation and also Pogba’s situation are the most important one for this summer. The others can wait another year.
Cooper isn’t really tier 1 but will just post it, looks like we are focussing on defensive area and may be even midfield.
I can’t help but watch that defensive shambles last night (in particular in the 95th minute) and I see that type of incident being snuffed out before it ever escalated by Eric Bailly. You just feel if he is partnering Maguire last night, he clears his lines with a good header or at worse is there to block the shot. The issue comes in that he isn’t available to be there.... again. Sadly we cannot forge a partnership with him in the plan as he is too fragile and has an injury record of the very worst. That CB position to partner Maguire with someone who has the same attributes of Bailly but crucially has a sound fitness record, is an essential signing for our team if we want to move forward again.
Agreed 100%. Bailly (like Jones before him) is such a frustrating player. Hes obviously got the talent to be top class but seemingly hasn't got the body to cope with the strain. Shame.
I like the look of Konate more than Upamecano and can see both moving this year with RB already lining up replacements. Injuries are a concern there.
Kounde's height worries me but I've only seen highlights so cant really judge him properly.
Milenkovic is meant to be a solid young player with an expiring contract but I reckon is an old Mourinho target which we wont go ahead with.
Badiashille looks too young and error prone to step in currently, needs more experience first I think.
Whoever we go for, it does without saying that he needs to have an iron clad injury record, the physicality to compensate for Maguire and the mentality to deal with the pressure.
Tough signing to call this.
Maguire being healthy and available as a measure of success just shows how far our standards have fallen. He’s a good CB who’s tagged with a terrible price tag and better options that were available at time re: Ruben Dias.
With Smalling and Rojo gone, the glazers better be ready to pay up for a CB upgrade. There are plenty of options out there that would provide an improvement over what we have.
Yep, good post. It is funny how people get on Maguire for his random mistakes, but then suggest Bailly as his replacement! Bailly is prone to playing a perfect match 99.9% of the time, and then attempting a flying, jumping karate kick as a clearance that he shins out for a corner.Sheer conjecture and absolute nonsense Tuanzebe is yet to show he belongs at premier league level let alone better than Lindelof who I admit should be Upgraded with a better player but Unfortunately Tuanzebe has shown nothing so far to suggest he should have future beyond summer here.
Bailly top level is certainly better than our other options but he simply can't be relied upon due to fitness and also he isn't the savior you are making him out to be and when has Tuanzebe shown he is better one on one defender then others. You are projecting how you want Tuanzebe and Bailly to be rather how they actually are.
