Potential Matic Replacements

[Adnan]

I didn’t mention rice. I’m actually swaying to the idea of neves who can pass, I’m just wary about his mobility

as regards international opponents, no offence to any country but let’s just say it’s not the same as playing PL football

PL football is also made up the same players like Riyadh Mahrez from Africa.

 

[Shark]

It's very worrying that our manager and staff are unable to see that Matic is simply not built for starting these games anymore. Especially a side like Southampton that'll press you. He's looked finished at the top level for at least 2 years now or more offering sporadic good performances when he has space to do so.

 

[Bebestation]

For me the problem is that we need 2 CDM and not just one:

• The only proper CDM we have is Matic.
• Fred is more a centre midfielder with some defensive ability whilst Mctominay is at his best performances - a box to box type player.

What we need is -

1. A ball winning/Anchorman type of CDM - the type of player that helps us occasionally play the 433 instead of a double pivot, or atleast do the defensive job when Pogba is playing next to him in a double pivot. Ie this is the most 1 for 1 replacement for Matic (Rice, Casemiro, Fernandinho, Busquets etc)
2. The creative tempo pass setting/deep lying playmaker type CDM - we don't have many technically creative players in midfield. Pogba is arguably the best we have but is hardly a midfielder for us anymore either. The second is Fred, who is fast and can initiate a quick tempo counterattack but isn't exactly a deep lying playmaker. Ie a more a replacement for Carrick (Neves, Jorginho, Kimmich, Verrati, Kalvin Phillips etc)

I think the disagreement we have as fans on this thread is because we might have a preference for one but we actually need two. Just as an example, if we go for Neves this season- I wouldn't be surprised this time next year we still need that single man anchorman type CDM like Rice or vice versa.

 

[golden_blunder]

PL football is also made up the same players like Riyadh Mahrez from Africa.

I know but seriously we could play for some international teams, some of them aren’t even professional players or are just part-timers.

 

[Adnan]

Don't think we can go on height really as the guy is 6 cm taller than Kante, who at 1.68m (5ft 6) would walk into our midfield.

I just don't want to see Matic in a Utd shirt and was flabbergast when we gave him that new contract....just like Jones! Those two players epitomise some our issues.

Kante is a different profile to Caqueret IMO . The only reason I mention his height is due to maybe some maybe thinking that could be a issue. But having watched him play, he's a real terrier who combines a combative game with technical elegance and could potentially work very well next to a more defensive minded midfielder.

 

[red_de_pologne]

For me the problem is that we need 2 CDM and not just one:

• The only proper CDM we have is Matic.
• Fred is more a centre midfielder with some defensive ability whilst Mctominay is at his best performances - a box to box type player.

What we need is -

1. A ball winning/Anchorman type of CDM - the type of player that helps us occasionally play the 433 instead of a double pivot, or atleast do the defensive job when Pogba is playing next to him in a double pivot. Ie this is the most 1 for 1 replacement for Matic (Rice, Casemiro, Fernandinho, Busquets etc)
2. The creative tempo pass setting/deep lying playmaker type CDM - we don't have many technically creative players in midfield. Pogba is arguably the best we have but is hardly a midfielder for us anymore either. The second is Fred, who is fast and can initiate a quick tempo counterattack but isn't exactly a deep lying playmaker. Ie a more a replacement for Carrick (Neves, Jorginho, Kimmich, Verrati, Kalvin Phillips etc)

I think the disagreement we have as fans on this thread is because we might have a preference for one but we actually need two. Just as an example, if we go for Neves this season- I wouldn't be surprised this time next year we still need that single man anchorman type CDM like Rice or vice versa.

Totally agree with this.

Wish instead of Sancho we went for a top class CDM this summer. We would be much better off with RW options in Greenwood, Amad, James than we are with midfield options of Fred, McTominay and Matic (for the holding midfielder role). Who are we going to play when Fred or McTominay gets injured? Shambolic.
And next year we'll prioritise a striker..

why the actual fuk is he starting a game in the premier league????

Ole said he was excellent ...

 

[Adnan]

I know but seriously we could play for some international teams, some of them aren’t even professional players or are just part-timers.

It's fine having reservations over a young player. But if you read my OP again, I quite clearly mention that if we fail to sign anyone else in the time remaining in the window, we should give him a chance because he's the only player not named Pogba who could potentially provide us something from midfield which is quite clearly not there currently. There would be teething problems but I would give him a chance rather than carry on with flogging the same dead horse.

The way things are going it'll be similar to last season with us challenging for top 4, unless Ole thinks out of the box.

 

[bosskeano]

I just don't understand HOW Ole can look at Matic and say he deserves to be starting and playing in premier league matches??? he's clearly well past his best days and is only a cup player now at best

he's more a guy that helps make up training numbers and should never see the pitch in a meaningful match ie...premier league or champions league

 

[DarkRed]

What is the general opinion on Douglas Luiz?

 

[Sea-Cow]

What is the general opinion on Douglas Luiz?

I think he is quality. But granted, I don't really watch Villa all that closely.

 

[Mainoldo]

What is the general opinion on Douglas Luiz?

Proper like him but Villa fans tell me he’s more a Fred. By that I mean he’s not designed to hold on his own. But would be perfect in a double pivot as an 8. Very good on the ball too.

 

[::sonny::]

Camavinga

Oh no, we preferred to not sell and let Pogba for free again instead of investing on him.

 

[Andrew7582]

Camavinga

Oh no, we preferred to not sell and let Pogba for free again instead of investing on him.

What are you talking about? We were in for Camavinga but he chose Madrid, Pogba had nothing to do with it.

 

[VanDeBank]

I read somewhere that Real Madrid's guy was all over Camavinga's family when the kid was 14.

 

[Dante]

Camavinga didn't want to come to England, Locatelli didn't want to leave Italy. Goretzka was happy to stay in Germany.

United were in for all of them. But were rejected each time because of the nationality of the player. Is it any wonder that we're in for Premier League and/or English players so often? Transfers are a two way street. The target needs to want to come as well as the club wanting to bring them in. We all saw what happened with AdM for an example of what happens when they don't.

Anyway... I think Rice is the DM that makes most sense right now. Yes, the fee will be high. But every transfer is a gamble. And the size of the fee reflects the probability of the gamble paying off. That's why there's a premium for players who are already proven in the PL. The gamble is (almost) a sure thing.

United are really close to completing their squad. This isn't the time to be taking chances with potential. Granted, there may be a random Belgian player in the second tier of Dutch football who will only cost £10m and eventually become the next Roy Keane. But the probability is so low that we'd need to buy 10 of them just to come up with 1 who ultimately makes the grade. We don't have time for that. At least with Rice, you know you're getting someone who's good enough to step in and be ready on day one.

 

[SAF is the GOAT]

Fabrizio Romano was a guest in Rio's podcast today on "vibe with five" and he said there that United's targets are obviously Rice, Neves and Tsouameni

 

[sp_107]

Fabrizio Romano was a guest in Rio's podcast today on "vibe with five" and he said there that United's targets are obviously Rice, Neves and Tsouameni

yeah but I think Bissouma look like a better player than above

 

[bosskeano]

with the attacking talent we have, our two holding mids need to be athletic and can cover a lot of open space. don't think we need a hardman or some type of destroying CM but two guys that have high work rates and can break up plays.