Playing fast means taking risks, taking risks means losing the ball and that means less possession. The reason we have so much possession every game is because we usually play it safe and wait for opportunities to come while patiently building the game up. That means the defense for the other team is usually set and doesn't leave room to really at them. Bale isn't good in tight spaces either, so how would him and di Maria be really effective in our current system?
This is my team 15/16
- Thread starter Magnus
- Start date
Playing fast means taking risks, taking risks means losing the ball and that means less possession. The reason we have so much possession every game is because we usually play it safe and wait for opportunities to come while patiently building the game up. That means the defense for the other team is usually set and doesn't leave room to really at them. Bale isn't good in tight spaces either, so how would him and di Maria be really effective in our current system?
What we're doing now is working. It's our final third that has let us down, especially against teams that have defended deep against us.
Definately changed your tune about Blind. Plus, what has Fellaini got to do to impress some of you lot?
Not if we buy versatile players. We haven't got two left backs because we have a centre back and a midfielder who can cover in that position.
That's not my point. My point is that Lahm is a full back by trait, not a midfielder.
Modric and Khedira are injured, Lucas Silva is inexperienced and clearly Real have decided Illarmendi isn't good enough. So they aren't short of the numbers, it's a desperation situation for them, of course it helps when you have 4 world class forward players to ease the pressure.
Their front line is irrelevant, my point is that even they haven't got world class back ups in every position, otherwise they wouldn't have to play a centre back in midfield.
Regular? Hasn't looked like he's shown any decline to me. He's been our best player.
Guess we'll have to see.
How do you think the real life transfer market works? Rarely are players just 'swapped' for each other, especially young players at the top of their game like DDG and Isco.
And I think most of us would jump at the opportunity of getting Isco in for De Gea, then signing an equally good keeper in Lloris anyway!
Our final 3rd is an issue yes, but our midfield is directionless without Carrick.
Yes, he's been exposed IMO. As for Fellaini, I always said he's a means to get through to the 4th spot, he's not a player I actually want to see regularly in a United shirt.
That midfielder should remain as the back up LB in my view.
He's a midfielder now, that is the only point that matters.
Ok then I'll skip over the fact you ignored that 2 of their CM's are injured and that one is a kid who only came from South America 4 months ago, the point still remains they play with 2 CM's and carry 5 for the 2 roles. Also Ramos was complete shit which shows why it's not a great idea to rely on "can do a job" options, but of course your front line isn't irrelevant because despite how shit Ramos was and how ineffective Kroos was, Real still got their away goal and kept the pressure off the weakened midfield by being a threat Juve had to worry about.
I'm talking about decline as in becoming more susceptible to injuries once they set in, it's often a sign of wear and tear.
The dream team
------------------De Gea-------------
Carvajal---------Hummels------Smalling---Shaw
--------------Carrick-----------------
----------Pogba-----Gundogan-------
Di Maria------------------Depay
---------------Benteke--------------
Realistic team
---------------Valdes------------
Clyne------Otamendi-----Smalling------Shaw
---------------Carrick-------------
---------Herrera------Strootman/Nigel de shit
Di Maria-----------------------Young
------------------Rooney----------
------------------De Gea-------------
Carvajal---------Hummels------Smalling---Shaw
--------------Carrick-----------------
----------Pogba-----Gundogan-------
Di Maria------------------Depay
---------------Benteke--------------
Realistic team
---------------Valdes------------
Clyne------Otamendi-----Smalling------Shaw
---------------Carrick-------------
---------Herrera------Strootman/Nigel de shit
Di Maria-----------------------Young
------------------Rooney----------
My REALISTIC team for next year
GK: DDG/Cech, Valdez
Comment: If DDG had to leave than we need a quick fix who would settle down nicely and provide us some stability for the next 1-3 years. Cech can do that
Defense
DR: Clyne, Darmian
DL: Shaw, Blind
DC: Smalling, Jones
DC: Hummels, Rojo, Evans
Comment: We need players who can play regularly and in their natural role. Clyne and Darmian are natural right backs who are excellent in going forward. They shouldn't cost us alot. Hummels is a great leader who will bring stability at the back. If Hummels cant be bought than Howedes could do the trick. I'd keep Evans for another year to see if he can regain his form. It would also allow us to loan Blackett and Mcnair who need some first team experience
Midfield
DM: Carrick, De Jong, Pearson
MC: Herrera, De Bruyne
MC: Schneiderlin, Fellaini
Comment: We need to think of someone capable of covering/competing for Carrick role and Schneiderlin and De Jong (the latter will be a free transfer) would do well there. They both have the physical ability needed to give balance in our midfield and forward line + add mileage to Carrick's career. De Bruyne and Herrera would be the more attacking option in midfield. De Bruyne assist rate is amazing and he can play in a number of roles which is a bonus for us. Hopefully we will be competing on 4 fronts (CL, EPL, League cup and FA cup) so I expect Pearson to be given games. Having the likes of Carrick, De Jong and Schneiderlin around will surely help him develop into a better DM. Perriera should be loaned
RW: Nani, Di Maria, Valencia
LW: Depay, Young
Comment. Stability in midfield will mean that our wingers/attacking forwards will have more time to break the opposition down and score goals. Both Nani and Depay has a superb goal scoring record while Di Maria assist record is well known. Its pointless selling Nani at this stage so we might as well integrate him in the team and give him another year.
FWD: Rooney, RVP, Hernandez
Comment: The forward line had been in the firing line for quite some time. However I think that much of the criticism is undeserved. Rooney has been flirting from midfield to forward line which kind of hurt his performance. RVP had a long season (WC and EPL) and at his age he cant afford that. Hopefully He'll be better next season after given some rest. Hernandez is a great goal poacher. Its pointless selling him now because we'll get peanuts for him. Wilson should be loaned.
Team
---------------------DDG------------
Clyne-----Smalling----Hummels-----Shaw
----------------------Carrick-------------------
------------Schneiderlin---De Bruyne---------
Di Maria-----------------------------------Depay
----------------------Rooney----------------------
However its difficult to come out with a real first team. Darmian can easily compete with Clyne, Jones with Smalling, RVP with Rooney, Blind with Shaw and DMs, Herrera with De Bruyne and Nani with Di Maria. Also De Bruyne can move on the flanks and upfront, Schneiderlin can move in the DM role, Di Maria can move in CM and as LW etc. That would give us plenty of options and keep everyone on his toes.
GK: DDG/Cech, Valdez
Comment: If DDG had to leave than we need a quick fix who would settle down nicely and provide us some stability for the next 1-3 years. Cech can do that
Defense
DR: Clyne, Darmian
DL: Shaw, Blind
DC: Smalling, Jones
DC: Hummels, Rojo, Evans
Comment: We need players who can play regularly and in their natural role. Clyne and Darmian are natural right backs who are excellent in going forward. They shouldn't cost us alot. Hummels is a great leader who will bring stability at the back. If Hummels cant be bought than Howedes could do the trick. I'd keep Evans for another year to see if he can regain his form. It would also allow us to loan Blackett and Mcnair who need some first team experience
Midfield
DM: Carrick, De Jong, Pearson
MC: Herrera, De Bruyne
MC: Schneiderlin, Fellaini
Comment: We need to think of someone capable of covering/competing for Carrick role and Schneiderlin and De Jong (the latter will be a free transfer) would do well there. They both have the physical ability needed to give balance in our midfield and forward line + add mileage to Carrick's career. De Bruyne and Herrera would be the more attacking option in midfield. De Bruyne assist rate is amazing and he can play in a number of roles which is a bonus for us. Hopefully we will be competing on 4 fronts (CL, EPL, League cup and FA cup) so I expect Pearson to be given games. Having the likes of Carrick, De Jong and Schneiderlin around will surely help him develop into a better DM. Perriera should be loaned
RW: Nani, Di Maria, Valencia
LW: Depay, Young
Comment. Stability in midfield will mean that our wingers/attacking forwards will have more time to break the opposition down and score goals. Both Nani and Depay has a superb goal scoring record while Di Maria assist record is well known. Its pointless selling Nani at this stage so we might as well integrate him in the team and give him another year.
FWD: Rooney, RVP, Hernandez
Comment: The forward line had been in the firing line for quite some time. However I think that much of the criticism is undeserved. Rooney has been flirting from midfield to forward line which kind of hurt his performance. RVP had a long season (WC and EPL) and at his age he cant afford that. Hopefully He'll be better next season after given some rest. Hernandez is a great goal poacher. Its pointless selling him now because we'll get peanuts for him. Wilson should be loaned.
Team
---------------------DDG------------
Clyne-----Smalling----Hummels-----Shaw
----------------------Carrick-------------------
------------Schneiderlin---De Bruyne---------
Di Maria-----------------------------------Depay
----------------------Rooney----------------------
However its difficult to come out with a real first team. Darmian can easily compete with Clyne, Jones with Smalling, RVP with Rooney, Blind with Shaw and DMs, Herrera with De Bruyne and Nani with Di Maria. Also De Bruyne can move on the flanks and upfront, Schneiderlin can move in the DM role, Di Maria can move in CM and as LW etc. That would give us plenty of options and keep everyone on his toes.
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My semi-realistic 1st XI for next year. If not Bale then Depay. If I went all out muppet then we could add Pogba.
---------------DDG------------
Clyne-----Layporte-----Smalling------Shaw
---------------Carrick-------------
---------Herrera------Mata
Di Maria-----------------------Bale
------------------Rooney----------
---------------DDG------------
Clyne-----Layporte-----Smalling------Shaw
---------------Carrick-------------
---------Herrera------Mata
Di Maria-----------------------Bale
------------------Rooney----------
Which is why we'd be getting a 6/8.
I personally think Blinds a decent back up to have. As for Fellaini, the 'he's not a player I actually want to see regularly in a United shirt' is obviously based on your dislike for Fellaini and not based on recent performances.
We've got Rojo, though.
So is Rooney and Mata then.
Wouldn't say they play with two roles, though. Pep constantly changes formations and he'll often play with 3 in midifeld. Also, one of those midifelders I mentioned; Martinez, who has only just come back from injury, played at centre back the other day, and will possibly stay there if Pep continues to play with three at the back. Therefore, as I said, you need versatile players who can cover in more than one position.
I actually don't care what their front line was. Ramos being poor is moving away from my point. Fact is, you said the top teams have top class back ups. If Real Madrid had a top class back up, they wouldn't have to put Ramos in centre mid.
Wear and tear because he's had like two injuries this season, one of which was ankle surgery that kept him out for about 10 weeks? Fair enough
If anything recent performances have shown how easy it is to nullify Fellaini and how little he offers then. He had his good games, but we can definitely improve on him.
I think we need one of each, you don't, we'll leave it at that this point I guess.
No it's based on the fact I think he has done a job as part of a team that hopefully scrapes to 4th, once we are back on our feet we can do much better.
He's LCB cover mainly.
So is Rooney and Mata then.
When they've played 2 full seasons as a CM then maybe that would carry weight.
The point is that they carry 5 players for 2 roles - Modric, Kroos, Khedira, Illarmendhi and Lucas Silva. Then they have 2 options for the AM role in Isco and James. That's 3 midfield roles and 7 options. Ramos played because 2 of the 5 are injured and one has only been in Europe for 4 months. Clearly Illarmendi isn't rated, what do you think the likelihood is that Real go and get another CM to replace him in the summer?
He's coming up to 34 and has missed half this season with injury issues, what I am saying is that can be a sign of physical issues creeping in after years of wear and tear put on the body of a professional footballer. We should not build a season on the hope he stays fit full time with the option when he's injured being one of Rooney or Fellaini spending a couple of months as the AM.
I believe this is pretty realistic. Maybe disregarding lloris, however I am not in the know in regards to quality keepers.
Lloris/Valdes
Clyne/Rafael - Smalling/McNair - Jones/Rojo - Shaw/Blackett
Carrick/Blind
Herrera/Pereira - Di Maria/Fellaini
Rooney/Mata
Bale/Januzaj ---------Depay/Wilson
Subs: Valdes, Rojo, Rafael, Blind, Fellaini, Mata, Januzaj
Lloris/Valdes
Clyne/Rafael - Smalling/McNair - Jones/Rojo - Shaw/Blackett
Carrick/Blind
Herrera/Pereira - Di Maria/Fellaini
Rooney/Mata
Bale/Januzaj ---------Depay/Wilson
---------------DDG---------------
Darmian Otamendi Hummels Shaw
----------------Vidal--------------
---------Mata------Herrera-------
Nani---------------------------Bale
---------------Rooney-----------
Darmian Otamendi Hummels Shaw
----------------Vidal--------------
---------Mata------Herrera-------
Nani---------------------------Bale
---------------Rooney-----------
----------------DDG
Clyne--Smalling-Hummels--Shaw
-------------Carrick
-------Herrera-Gundogan
-Depay----Rooney---Di Maria
--------------Valdes
Valencia--Jones-Rojo--Blind
----------Schneiderlin
-------Pereira---Fellaini
Mata--------RVP---------Young
Clyne--Smalling-Hummels--Shaw
-------------Carrick
-------Herrera-Gundogan
-Depay----Rooney---Di Maria
--------------Valdes
Valencia--Jones-Rojo--Blind
----------Schneiderlin
-------Pereira---Fellaini
Mata--------RVP---------Young
deGea
Alves Smalling Jones Shaw
Pjanic
Mata Herrera Gundogan diMaria
Benteke
Bench: Rafael, Carrick, Rojo, Blind, Hernandez, Nani, Januzaz, Fellaini
Alves Smalling Jones Shaw
Pjanic
Mata Herrera Gundogan diMaria
Benteke
Bench: Rafael, Carrick, Rojo, Blind, Hernandez, Nani, Januzaz, Fellaini
Purchases in bold. Alves on a free ofcourse and then sign a better back up for center back than Evans, Blackett or McNair.
You want to change over half the starting XI?! It'd take us another season to adapt.
Thank God for that.
We possibly wouldn't be 'scraping' for fourth if we used him the way we've been using him of late. Beaten City, Liverpol and Spurs, where Fellaini has had a massive impact, which I guess is why Van Gaal said he was 'undroppable'.
He's both, hence why he has played left back. Like I said, versatile players.
How long they've played there doesn't matter. What matters is that they have played there, which means Van Gaal has obviously felt they can play there.
Too much for me, which is a big part of why young talents like Illaramendi don't progress at Madrid. I mean, it's not the first time they've bought upcoming talents and wasted on the bench. Silva could possibly go the same route. We could be possibly waste talents like Pereira if we overstock when we don't need to.
Also, the likelihood is that Illaramendi and Khedira will go and be replaced by one midfielder should happen, which means they'll have 6 midfielders; however, that then means because James can play on the wing, they don't have to have a two players in the right wing role, as they'd have James who can play, both AM and RW. That's how a squad works.
We'll have to agree to disagree then, otherwise it'll keep going around in circles.
If anything, recent performances have shown how easy it is to nullify our team. I mean, in our last three games, without just singling out one player, who stood out for us?
Unrealistic, but it'd put the fear into teams playing us again.
De Gea
Alves - Hummels - Rojo - Shaw
Carrick
Depay - Herrera - di Maria - Bale
Rooney
Alves - Hummels - Rojo - Shaw
Carrick
Depay - Herrera - di Maria - Bale
Rooney
That's because we are a work in progress and not near the best teams consistently. The same was done to him, while he was at Everton. Do you honestly think Fellaini is good enough for our starting XI, a team that is aiming to win the championship and Champions League in the foreseeable future? Currently he is good enough, a team that is hopefully getting the 4th spot, if we want to do better, we'll need to improve on him as we need to improve in other areas. He wouldn't get into Chelsea's, Munich's, Barcelona's, Madrid's current first eleven or our starting XI from 2007/08. He could provide a plan B for them, like he can for us, but he is a limited player.
To answer your question; Young shouldn't start for us either, we should find a better right-back, we should add more quality in midfield and probably add someone, who can consistently score goals for us. So, no, I'm not blaming all of this on him or di Maria, but Herrera and Smalling have been better in those games for example.
Leno/de Gea
Clyne Smalling Laporte Shaw
Carrick
Vidal -- Rooney
Di Maria -- RvP -- Memphis
Valdes
Valencia -- Jones -- Laporte -- Rojo
Blind
Herrera -- Fellaini
Mata -- Rooney -- Young
McNair Gundogan Wilson JanuzajClyne Smalling Laporte Shaw
Carrick
Vidal -- Rooney
Di Maria -- RvP -- Memphis
Valdes
Valencia -- Jones -- Laporte -- Rojo
Blind
Herrera -- Fellaini
Mata -- Rooney -- Young
Loan: Blackett Pereira
My realistic guess
Leno/de GeaMcNair Gundogan Wilson Januzaj
Clyne Smalling Laporte Shaw
Carrick
Vidal -- Rooney
Di Maria -- RvP -- Memphis
Valdes
Valencia -- Jones -- Laporte -- Rojo
Blind
Herrera -- Fellaini
Mata -- Rooney -- Young
Loan: Blackett Pereira
My realistic guess
Wait, you expect our main starting 11 to not feature Ander but feature a has-been like RvP? and Gundogan is not good enough to make either 11? If our aim is to take Arsenal's spot as the 4th place champions then this is a good way to do it.
Thank God for that.
You don't have to wait for me to tap out.
Yeah and Ancelotti said Hernandez was undroppable before doing precisely that. The only thing managers say at these pressers that is worth taking as truth is the injury update. What we have learned is Chelsea showed how to take Fellaini's main asset away and expose his limitations, Everton and the mighty West Brom then followed suit. What this last 7 games has shown is that Michael Carrick is the only undroppable we have.
Better to have one for each, 22 options.
Of course it matters, O'Shea played a few games in midfield for us but he wasn't a good CM, he was a needs must last resort. Lahm has played 2 full seasons as a CM, he has been converted to that role like Brown and Ivanovic converted to RB. Converted vs can fill in is vastly different, one means your'e actually good at the role, the other means you're the last half decent looking bird left at closing time.
Not too much for me, it's the way a top side should be run, Illaramendi didn't make it because he';s not good enough, he got plenty of chances and failed to take them. If you're good enough you find a way into the team.
How is that the likelihood with Real Madrid?
One question, just a yes or no answer is cool. You'd be happy to trust a title challenge to a midfield trio of Gundogan-Herrera-Fellaini/Rooney should Carrick get injured?
In this form, of course Herrera's not getting dropped. It's just an example, van Gaal could line up completely different as he loves multifunctional players.
I'm probably wrong about the midfield anways, I have no clue who he's going to buy. I think we'll still see Rooney in midfield at times and that van Persie will stay. RvP can be dropped for Rooney with Herrera/Mata in midfield. Don't think he'd even need Gundogan, van Gaal probably prefers to shuffle a bit.
I would like something as this. Schneiderlin instead of Herrera as he has the physical advantage, Herrera is very good defensively, but i have an idea LvG wants a more physical #8.
Depay would be more of an goal hunter, while Nani gives the smooth dribbling and some creativity, another option could be Felipe Anderson.
Di Maria in his best position now well covered to do what he does, using his pace, going out wide to cross etc and he have a target man with Benteke which could be a very nice combo.
Benteke would gives us the option that Fellaini provides atm, while also being a very good goalscorer and with a less defensive setup as the one he have been provided with at Villa he would improve his tally here.
Otamendi is the more aggressive player to Smalling's calmness, hopefully something like Vidic and Ferdinand could blossom.
One could hope
That's the issue IMO, I think using Rooney in midfield and trusting RvP as more than a rotation to rest Rooney will be detrimental to our overall team. I also think the need to bolster midfield to allow Rooney to stay up top and strengthen with goals out wide with more than just Memphis is important, Di Maria will not score a lot if he even stays.
I still think we should copy Haycknes' Bayern midfield. Two CM who are ball playing DM, two tricky wingers, and one AMC. I think Carrick/Blind could take one of CM, and Schinderlin/Vidal/Strootman the other. Depay and Di Maria as winger, with Herrera/Mata/Fellaini as no. 10.
Gk
RB - Smalling - CB - Shaw
Schinderlin -- Carrick
Di Maria -- Herrera -- Depay
Rooney
Gk
RB - Smalling - CB - Shaw
Schinderlin -- Carrick
Di Maria -- Herrera -- Depay
Rooney
No it's only 5 changes(Nani has been with us for years) and 3 of those changes are at the back to players who will either never be fit for a whole season or aren't defenders and let's be honest any changes to these positions can only have a positive impact. The Vidal addition again is a must given how we perform when an ageing Carrick is injured. Bale to inject some speed and consistency into our attack. Huge outlay but sell, Di Maria, Valencia, Evans and one of smalling/jones or Rojo. Obviously release Falcao.
De Gea
Jones....Hummels....Smalling....Rojo
Herrera....Strootman
Reus..................Mata............Di Maria
Rooney
Sub's: Valdes, Shaw, Carrick, Pereira, Januzaj, Depay, RVP.
Jones....Hummels....Smalling....Rojo
Herrera....Strootman
Reus..................Mata............Di Maria
Rooney
Sub's: Valdes, Shaw, Carrick, Pereira, Januzaj, Depay, RVP.
Jones and Rojo as fullbacks? You cray.
Solid defensive line. Germany won the WC without FBs, they played a defensive line of 4 CBs.
Ddg, clyne, smalling, hummels/laporte, shaw, carrick, VIDAL, Herrera, di Maria, Rooney, Depay looks good to me.
You need your fullbacks to attack as well. Shaw will play surely, and you'd think we'll bring in a proper right back. Don't see any reason to have Jones and Rojo as our main fullbacks.
I just don't want to see Valencia there next season and I don't rate Clyne, he way over-rated.
I don't think Valencia will be the number one. Is Clyne that overrated though? He's a solid fullback from what I've seen. We can't set the bar too high when it comes to right backs either as we haven't had someone play in that position week in week out for years.
You don't have to wait for me to tap out.
Thank feck for that. I'd be waiting forever.
So Fellaini's main assets got taken away. Where was Herrera, Mata, Rooney and co. in those games you mentioned? Or is/was Fellaini so important that when he does get nullified, we've got no one else to rely on? If so, I guess he was really that important.
Or it can be lessened if we have versatility within the squad. Van Gaal loves his versatile players.
“I like multi-functional players and I normally buy more of them than specialists,” Van Gaal words not mine.
http://thepeoplesperson.com/2014/12/20/van-gaal-i-want-to-buy-multi-functional-players-64768/
O'Shea isn't a great example, because as you said, he was last resort. Rooney and Mata clearly aren't. Van Gaal would feel more than comfortable playing Rooney and Mata in the most advanced midfield role. Also, Rooney and Mata have played in the attacking midfield position for more than 2 season to anyway. And when I say attacking midfield, I'm talking about the most advanced midfielder, whether that be in a 4231, 433, 4141. They were still the most advanced, hence why Van Gaal refers to them as 10's and why he's used them there quite often this season.
Not for me. Chelsea did that with Shcrulle, Salah and Moses, and they hardly got games because they were overstocked. Since then, they've got rid of the three, where they now have Hazard, Willian and Cuardrado (3 players) who can play on the wing. Obviously players like Oscar and Ramires can cover, but that's because they are versatile or as Van Gaal would say 'multifunctional'.
Whether it will be or not, they should do. Otherwise, they'll continue to buy players just to make other teams miss out and end up wasting them. Hopefully, Van Gaal will give our youth more of a chance.
Most certainly.
Or Blind-Gundogan-Herrera/Fellaini
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Herrera was out of position against 2 of the 3, Mata is ineffective without Herrera to link with and that is why for me he's not a player I'd consider a regular starter. Rooney was out of position in the last 2 games but played well enough against Chelsea.
Or it can be lessened if we have versatility within the squad. Van Gaal loves his versatile players.
“I like multi-functional players and I normally buy more of them than specialists,” Van Gaal words not mine.
http://thepeoplesperson.com/2014/12/20/van-gaal-i-want-to-buy-multi-functional-players-64768/
Hopefully this season will have taught LvG he isn't always right.
You were saying Lahm isn't a CM, now he is and has been for 2 straight years. Rooney and Mata are not good at the AM role, if you could mesh them into one player they would be, but both lack significant aspects to play there as anything but a last resort.
Most certainly.
Or Blind-Gundogan-Herrera/Fellaini
Fair enough, to me that sees us no better off than we are now, but we shall see.
To answer your question in regards to Fellaini being good enough for our starting XI, yes, why not? He's been arguably one of our best players this season when being played, in my opinion. I guess this is where the squad get used, though. I might not always start Fellaini in some games, but I might do the same with Herrera, Mata, Van Persie, etc. I think nowadays, it's more about the squad, rather than a set XI. Sometimes they'll be games when Van Gaal may think Fellaini's the right man and games he thinks he isn't. For example, Mourinho putting in Zouma for Fabregas to nullify Fellaini. Or Sir Alex putting Welbz in for Rooney to do a job on Alonso.
As for Fellaini playing for a team that is hopefully good enough getting 4th, I don't buy that. Who's to say we wouldn't be a lot closer to the top if we started with the current system. Recent form suggests we would. I mean, we smashed Spurs, City and Liverpool, where Fellaini was arguably our best player in all of them, and on another day we could have beaten Chelsea. I just think it's hard for someone people to accept that Fellaini has been playing very well, and because he hasn't got the right look, it automatically means he's not a 'United player' or 'shouldn't be in our starting XI'.
God, I hope some of these formations are simply piss-takes.
Neither of them were great against Everton in their proper positions, or positions they've excelled in of late.
Wouldn't have thought so. We've had a freak injury season and have still coped. With a few signings we'll be set, in my opinion.
He isn't a CM by trait. Up until Pep went, he always played at full back, so I think it's safe to say he's spent a lot more time at full back than a centre mid.
Rooney's not always great as a AM, but Mata? He won player of the season twice for Chelsea playing there. With the right players around him, he will produce the goods. That said, I wouldn't always play him there.
Don't see how it wouldn't be better off when we'd have added a midfielder.
If Gundogan can replicate Carrick-esque performances at the 6 position, then I don't see why we couldn't replicate the performances we saw with a midfield of Carrick-Herrera-Fellaini against the top teams recently.