[botond]

so if this is true why not have the op right after the WC ?

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

He hasn't looked fit at all since he's returned. He's clearly in need of this surgery if he says "he's been in constant pain for 6 years" or something along those lines. That's not healthy isn't it?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

so if this is true why not have the op right after the WC ?

It's possible that they only made a decision about surgery after seeing how he coped with pre-season and our first few competitive games.

 

[TheReligion]

Well, although Van Persie's knee operation hasn't been confirmed, the Falcao loan signing suggests to me that there must be some truth behind it. He could possibly be out for 2-3 months.

With Hernandez gone, and possibly Welbeck to follow, is it unrealistic to say Falcao would come in anyway regardless of the rumours about RvP?

Is he in the Dutch squad? If so I find it hard to believe he is injured.

 

[Firstouch20]

He hasn't looked fit at all since he's returned. He's clearly in need of this surgery if he says "he's been in constant pain for 6 years" or something along those lines. That's not healthy isn't it?

Most pro players are rarely pain free. Edgar Davids said he didn't play a game where he wasn't pain free. Its envitable that you'll always carry knocks with you when you play week in week out and train 3 times a week with no real time for full recovery.

 

[Timdbro]

I love RVP's play when he's at his best, but for my own sanity (and to cling on to my belief in the club's sanity) I almost hope he does have fitness issues, otherwise nothing bloody makes sense anymore!

 

[NoWinNoFee]

I hope it's not true, if it is, why are reports of surgery only just coming out now? How do reporters know anyway? They are just guessing in my opinion.

I think United signing Falcao, is for 3 reasons.

1) Not strengthening our rivals
2) Losing both Welbeck and Hernandez, we need someone else.
3) If a world class player is available, you get them (like we did with Di Maria/Mata).

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

With Hernandez gone, and possibly Welbeck to follow, is it unrealistic to say Falcao would come in anyway regardless of the rumours about RvP?

Is he in the Dutch squad? If so I find it hard to believe he is injured.

Well, I've always had the impression that Van Gaal will use Januzaj up top, leaving us with Rooney, Van Persie, Januzaj and Wilson as back up. Now that we've got Falcao, I struggle to see where Januzaj will fit in.

 

[TheReligion]

Well, I've always had the impression that Van Gaal will use Januzaj up top, leaving us with Rooney, Van Persie, Januzaj and Wilson as back up. Now that we've got Falcao, I struggle to see where Januzaj will fit in.

I think Januzaj is much better out wide.

It all depends what LVG decides is our formation now. I am hoping we go more 4-3-3 when we get our players back.

 

[Theon]

There's enough room for Van Persie considering we play with an attacking midfielder and two strikers.

Three of Mata/Rooney/Van Persie/Falcao can play at any one time so there is more than enough room for rotation there. It'll be best for Welbeck to go out on loan though, because he'll definitely struggle for minutes as will potentially Januzaj.

 

[itso 7]

There's enough room for Van Persie considering we play with an attacking midfielder and two strikers.

Three of Mata/Rooney/Van Persie/Falcao can play at any one time so there is more than enough room for rotation there. It'll be best for Welbeck to go out on loan though, because he'll definitely struggle for minutes as will potentially Januzaj.

Or we could bin the 3-5-2 and play a 4-2-2-2 with Falcao and one of Rooney/RVP ahead of Di Maria and Mata/Januzaj. We now have too much attacking talent to justify playing the extra defender, which effectively what we would e doing in a 3-5-2, we need an extra creative outlet and I think City's formation allows us to play our most dangerous team.

 

[Theon]

Or we could bin the 3-5-2 and play a 4-2-2-2 with Falcao and one of Rooney/RVP ahead of Di Maria and Mata/Januzaj. We now have too much attacking talent to justify playing the extra defender, which effectively what we would e doing in a 3-5-2, we need an extra creative outlet and I think City's formation allows us to play our most dangerous team.

I think if we ditch the 3-5-2, which I don't expect us to do straight away, then we would just push one of the centre backs 10 yards forward and play with a defensive midfielder instead - so Carrick or Blind in a diamond formation.

The basic style would be similar to a 3-5-2 and most of the players wouldn't change their positions, but it would no doubt be easier for the defenders who really are struggling to adapt to a three man backline.

 

[itso 7]

I think if we ditch the 3-5-2, which I don't expect us to do straight away, then we would just push one of the centre backs 10 yards forward and play with a defensive midfielder instead - so Carrick or Blind in a diamond formation.

The basic style would be similar to a 3-5-2 and most of the players wouldn't change their positions, but it would no doubt be easier for the defenders who really are struggling to adapt to a three man backline.

Yeah I agree with that, a diamond is also a great option to try out as it allow Di Maria to flourish in a hybrid CM/winger role that he fashioned out for himself at Real and Herrera wouldn't be too shabby as a RCM . Both Di Maria and Herrera are excellent in pressing which would enable them to protect Blind. The key though is that the player at the tip of the diamond and the two strikers must not be too static which has been the case with a Mata-Rooney-Van Persie trio.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

I think Januzaj is much better out wide.

It all depends what LVG decides is our formation now. I am hoping we go more 4-3-3 when we get our players back.

That's the thing, though. I don't think Van Gaal will be moving to a 4-3-3 any time soon, otherwise surely he wouldn't have bought Falcao? I personally think he'll stick with the 352 formation and utilize Adnan either up top - similar to how he played Robben, or behind the forwards, as a attacking midfielder.

 

[Get In Scholesy]

Any news on whats going on with this supposed knee op?

 

[Escobar]

Was he called up for Holland?

 

[TheReligion]

I don't imagine he will need an OP for us to have let both Welbeck and Hernandez go.

 

[Amar__]

Just saw he is in Dutch squad for the Italy friendly, I thought he is going to have a surgery?

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

Just saw he is in Dutch squad for the Italy friendly, I thought he is going to have a surgery?

It will be scheduled more like

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

Just saw he is in Dutch squad for the Italy friendly, I thought he is going to have a surgery?

it is understood that the Holland forward does not require an operation and that he is merely still searching for full fitness following an extended break following the World Cup.

Latest on him apparently... that's by a reporter though

 

[RDCR07]

Why doesn't he retire from Holland to extend his club career? He is not going to win anything with them anyway. He has done well for them and now needs to take care of his knee.

 

[Jerch]

Why doesn't he retire from Holland to extend his club career? He is not going to win anything with them anyway. He has done well for them and now needs to take care of his knee.

This. Maybe he just one last push for the EURO but he should retired.

 

[RDCR07]

This. Maybe he just one last push for the EURO but he should retired.

Not sure he is going to be fit for the Euros with the way he is going. Also good luck beating Germany in the Euros even if he plays in the Euros.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Jaysus, if he doesn't need this knee op then I really am worried about what to expect from him from now on.

 

[kundalini]

I suspect it will be painful viewing RVP over the next 2 years. Occasional moments of class in amongst rather too much anonymity, rarely getting away from defenders, rarely looking fully fit, his productivity way down on his peak years.

 

[Amar__]

it is understood that the Holland forward does not require an operation and that he is merely still searching for full fitness following an extended break following the World Cup.

Latest on him apparently... that's by a reporter though

Cheers. If this is true now the signing of Falcao makes even less sense

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

Cheers. If this is true now the signing of Falcao makes even less sense

Well, we only have Robin & Wayne as strikers other than him, Rooney hasn't played up top properly for a few years either...

 

[Kaos]

Cheers. If this is true now the signing of Falcao makes even less sense

Not really, we've still resigned to losing Welbeck and Hernandez and Rooney/RVP have been pretty dire up front. We've been missing some power and pace up front and Falcao delivers on that front.

 

[Amar__]

Not really, we've still resigned to losing Welbeck and Hernandez and Rooney/RVP have been pretty dire up front. We've been missing some power and pace up front and Falcao delivers on that front.

Well, we only have Robin & Wayne as strikers other than him, Rooney hasn't played up top properly for a few years either...

So dropping one of them makes sense? You think they'll be okay with that?

 

[Carl]

Jaysus, if he doesn't need this knee op then I really am worried about what to expect from him from now on.

Why? Sure he's looked well rusty but in terms of preparation he's still in the equivalent of his pre-season.

 

[Firstouch20]

Jaysus, if he doesn't need this knee op then I really am worried about what to expect from him from now on.

I'd be more worried about ya boy wazza who has a full pre season under his belt yet is still performing like he is on the verge of retirement. Van Persie will be back to his best after a run of games.

 

[Kaos]

So dropping one of them makes sense? You think they'll be okay with that?

Chances are they won't all be available for selection.

 

[Amar__]

Chances are they won't all be available for selection.

What's the point in that? We have Ashley Young and Valencia starting for us while when all fit one of Mata, Rooney, RvP, Falcao might end up on the bench.

 

[itso 7]

I don't think the team, particularly the midfield, is well equipped to carry a front three or front four of Robin, Wayne and Falcao and/or Mata in one team. One preferably two of that quartet must make way in order for us to have balance in the side. Atm it's Robin and Juan that have the weakest claim from a performance perspective but all the same it will be a tough decision for LVG to make.

 

[Kaos]

What's the point in that? We have Ashley Young and Valencia starting for us while when all fit one of Mata, Rooney, RvP, Falcao might end up on the bench.

If our squad is mostly fit then Ashley Young and Valencia won't be starting, that's for sure.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

So dropping one of them makes sense? You think they'll be okay with that?

It's not up to them, I'd never play all 3 unless they have Carrick, Blind and Herrera behind but there is no width, but that's not always a bad thing... it gives us another option, but I suspect only 2 of the 3 will play unless we play the diamond and Rooney puts up with CAM

RVP Falcao
Rooney
ADM . . . Mata/Herrera
Blind​

 

[Henrik Larsson]

Jaysus, if he doesn't need this knee op then I really am worried about what to expect from him from now on.

He's back in training for three or four weeks after being rushed to fitness, so he could play a full and extremely intense World Cup. Wtf is the problem with people on here?

I expect great things from RVP and I'm 100% confident that he will deliver. He's not a selfish player/striker at all, and I hope I don't have to post some random youtube video up here to show how good he is at other things than scoring goals, so in that regard I think there would be no problem for him playing together with Falcao and possibly Rooney.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Why? Sure he's looked well rusty but in terms of preparation he's still in the equivalent of his pre-season.

I think he was generally poor last season and - Spain game aside - not much cop in the WC either. Looked absolutely miles off the pace in his last couple of games in Brazil.

I couldn't be certain if this was down to too much football or too little. Hopefully the former and his recent performances are newfound rustiness rather than a continuation of whatever's been going on for the past 12 months or so.

 

[Zoo]

 

[bosnian_red]

Okay so that's not true then. I think Van Gaal has realized that Van Persie isn't what he was and is well on his way down as a footballer. Don't think he sees him as first choice this season.