I hope nobody forgets that we were rather vulnerable to counters even though we were scoring lots of goals at the start of the season. Prob because this midfield pairing was a bit too gung-ho. Carrick would bring stability.
Tom Cleverley | 2011/12 Performances
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I hope nobody forgets that we were rather vulnerable to counters even though we were scoring lots of goals at the start of the season. Prob because this midfield pairing was a bit too gung-ho. Carrick would bring stability.
We may have been vulnerable to counters, but the main thing is that we managed to cope with them anyway. No reward without risk, I suppose.
Still, I see no reason why a midfield of Cleverley and Carrick won't be able to work.
With Cleverley and Anderson we looked very shaky defensively in midfield. WBA and even Arse to a certain extent exposed this.
Carrick and Cleverley would give us the right balance between defense and high tempo passing.
Infact I was hoping to one day see us play Clev, Ando and Carrick in a midfield three. Carrick keeping things ticking over and keeping us solid and Cleverley and Anderson using their energy to press on. Ofcourse for this to work we'd need the Anderson of the first month of the season and not the crappy Anderson we've seen since.
Carrick and Cleverley would give us the right balance between defense and high tempo passing.
Infact I was hoping to one day see us play Clev, Ando and Carrick in a midfield three. Carrick keeping things ticking over and keeping us solid and Cleverley and Anderson using their energy to press on. Ofcourse for this to work we'd need the Anderson of the first month of the season and not the crappy Anderson we've seen since.
Chelsea as well. And to be honest, the midfield didn't function very well against Spurs. Results allowed people to forget that, but you should always look for weaker points and try to improve. There have been clearbweak points as well.
Didnt think we were bad defensivley vs WBA, De Gea's mistake just made it a bit nervy.
In the match where we were very good vs Fulham, they created a lot of chances too. They could've scored a few goals if Johnson weren't shit.
In the match where we were very good vs Fulham, they created a lot of chances too. They could've scored a few goals if Johnson weren't shit.
But only when we were three goals ahead and relaxed a little.
Me too. This approahc would work effectively against the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona etc. We'd need both Carrick and Anderson to really close down and press the ball when not in possession though (and Cleverley obviously!)
----Carrick
-Clev--Ando
We'll rape City.
-Clev--Ando
We'll rape City.
Anderson / Cleverley partnership also had the crazyness of Jones (CB), Smalling (RB) and Evra (LB) bombing forward at the same time as well meaning Evans was normally our last man back. Strangely I think thats when De Gea looked the best as well with that defence in front of him. Still made for some exciting football.
That may be because he had more of the sort of work that makes goalkeepers look good - making saves. Rather than having to deal with more hopeful, desperate punts into our box, which the goalkeeper can only lose from. Deal with it well, and it's a nothing moment, no thread, easily forgotten. Make a mistake, and you'll never hear the end of it.
No Scholesy?
No doubt, I also think a consistent defence in front of him helped but thats straying away from this thread.
Our midfield is just bizarre given what we've acheived in the recent years. Carrick has probably been our most consistent midfielder this season and im so glad hes adding the confidence to go forward again. But our most exciting attacking fluency imo was when we had cleverley/anderson. This was seen against City, Spurs second half and Arsenal and beginning of Bolton. Even pre season I guess.
The one touch football that Cleverley brings, you could tell, helped Anderson and both played liked interchangeable players where one would go forward, another would drop back or both would charge forward whilst also both charging back at the same time.
It was just madness but theres no denying we all loved it. It seemed a philosophy of "we will score more than you but we dont really mind conceding chances cos it wont affect the result."
It also helps that Welbeck plays the same way and you could tell he liked linking up with Cleverley.
To start? No.
From Footy 66:
The midfielder was one of the major influences behind United's flying start to the season, which earned him England call-ups for the postponed August friendly against Holland and the Euro 2012 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Wales.
Yet, almost immediately, injury intervened.
First the 22-year-old suffered a foot problem during the September win at Bolton, then, on his Premier League reappearance at Everton, Cleverley sustained a blow to his ankle and has been sidelined ever since.
However, Ferguson confirmed he is back on the comeback trail and should be able to play a part in football training within 10 days.
And, if all goes to plan, Cleverley could be fit for match action within a week, which would put him on target to face Liverpool.
"I am hopeful in 10 days' time he will be playing football on the training side of it anyway. That is the plan unless there is any recurrence of the injury," Ferguson said.
"Then we can kick on.
"When he plays properly depends how he does in the training.
"His fitness levels should be fine, so he could cope right away.
"If he can, you are talking about a week."
And that, coming in the middle of a crucial period when United face a succession of top six contenders, could provide the Red Devils with a significant lift.
"It would be a great boost to us," said Ferguson.
"The way that Tom started the season was absolutely phenomenal.
"I have not seen a young player have that impact at our club for a long time.
"He has been a loss because he has something different from everyone else."
I for one can't feckin wait to have Tom back with a couple of games under his belt. He was the reason for the off the blocks sprint we had at the opening of the season.
It's funny I seem to remember Sir talking about Valencia last year and saying he had been doing well in training but that he doesn't know when he'll be starting. That very feckin weekend he was in the startin line-up against Arsenal ? I believe. Come on Tom !!! (No rushing of course)
I really want to see him and Carrick playing together.
I would love to see him and Carrick in our CM...
I knew as soon as I worded it that way that you tards would come along with shit like that 
Just Tweeted that, make of it what you will.
He got a "blue tick" on twitter to show his account is verified or official..
Ah, my bad, thought it may have something to do with returning from injury.
Our problems with Ando and Cleverley were more down to missing Vidic, the same problems we had at Blackburn and Newcastle. A team with Vidic, Ando and Cleverley will be solid enough against most teams.
Like what? Lyme disease?
Nothing of the sort, the space they both left in behind was a disaster waiting to happen. It's not a slight on either of them it's just they're both young and attacking players, it was a tactic based on outscoring. Especially against Spurs, the space they had to run at our defence was scary.
That certainly didn't happen against Blackburn or Newcastle. Having everyone but the defenders as all out attackers is never going to be defensively solid but it is fun to watch
Nothing of the sort, the space they both left in behind was a disaster waiting to happen. It's not a slight on either of them it's just they're both young and attacking players, it was a tactic based on outscoring. Especially against Spurs, the space they had to run at our defence was scary.
That certainly didn't happen against Blackburn or Newcastle. Having everyone but the defenders as all out attackers is never going to be defensively solid but it is fun to watch
Blackburn,Newcastle and City weren't fun to watch...as a Utd supporter anyway
Good news that he is back soon.
If he can maintain his early season form over a sustained period, our central midfield options look alot better when it comes to the summer. I'd happily take that before the end of the season. Even better if Anderson comes good as well over the same time period.
If he can maintain his early season form over a sustained period, our central midfield options look alot better when it comes to the summer. I'd happily take that before the end of the season. Even better if Anderson comes good as well over the same time period.
I don't think we can really see Scholes as a player who should be a definite fixture in the centre of midfield. He'll play, but I doubt he'll have the fitness levels to be able to play week in week out.
Nothing of the sort, the space they both left in behind was a disaster waiting to happen. It's not a slight on either of them it's just they're both young and attacking players, it was a tactic based on outscoring. Especially against Spurs, the space they had to run at our defence was scary.
That certainly didn't happen against Blackburn or Newcastle. Having everyone but the defenders as all out attackers is never going to be defensively solid but it is fun to watch
I'm sorry but I strongly disagree, we're much more open when Vidic isn't paying and to pretend it was solely down to the midfield pairing simply isn't true.
Vidic played against WBA. One of De Gea's busiest games of the season.
Anyway, he's out for so long it's kind of irrelevant whether or not he can compensate for Anderson/Cleverley's defensive shortcomings.
Anyway, he's out for so long it's kind of irrelevant whether or not he can compensate for Anderson/Cleverley's defensive shortcomings.
I think it was a little of both. Our defence is never as good without Vidic but it's still excellent when everyone else is fit and I think they mostly were during that period. I think the Clev-Ando combo did leave a lot of room to be exploited and we were fortunate that it wasn't. Personally I think Carrick has shown once again how much a player like him can bring to the side, and if Fletcher gets back to his best, I would expect at least one of them to start of a regular basis for us. Ando and Clev started the season due to injuries to other players, and they did well, although the praise has gone ott. But for the foreseeable I reckon one of Carrick/Fletcher will start if fit and playing well. Cleverley coming back provides a great option and if he picks up where he left I'm sure he'll slot right in next to Carrick. We're finally getting players back now which will not only aid with all the games coming up but also the competition will be good. In the middle we'll have 4 players battling it out, maybe 5 with Jones, depending on what happens at the back.
Not to make this a De Gea thing, but didnt Vidic and Rio both get injured in that match?
The first game of the season where Rio and Vidic didn't make it past the hour mark? I can't see why that might not be an accurate representation of our defensive stability. Vidic didn't have a great start to the season (well all 2 games of it, he was crap against City as well) but on top form against most sides I think we'd be solid enough with him at the back and Cleverley and Anderson in midfield.
It's not about compensating so much, it's more about our defence when he isn't there full stop. Carrick offers more protection than Cleverley and Anderson yes, but unless Smalling is at the top of his game we've got a soft underbelly regardless of the midfield.
At least he's back in full training.
Great news, I hope I get to see him get a game with Scholes in the middle!
Scholes - Cleverley
Carrick
Carrick
Oh god...
Surely Scholes sits deep with Carrick
------Carrick------Scholes
---------Cleverley-------
Valencia------------------Nani
-----Welbz/Chico/Berba
------Carrick------Scholes
---------Cleverley-------
Valencia------------------Nani
-----Welbz/Chico/Berba
1) I don't think we'll see Nani in the next weeks.Surely Scholes sits deep with Carrick
------Carrick------Scholes
---------Cleverley-------
Valencia------------------Nani
-----Welbz/Chico/Berba
2) Where's Rooney?
Missed that Guardian link when it was first posted, and thought it referred to him making a comeback at the weekend! Ah well...
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