If he played a 3 man midfield then I think Carrick is ideal but actually in a two man midfield, despite him being our best midfielder, ideally you'd want two players who can go up and down the pitch.
Tom Cleverley | 2012-14 Performances
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Yeah, wouldn't disagree with that. It's just that we don't really have much option at the moment other than to play how we do, otherwise we'd end up dropping better players behind the striker than the midfielder that would fill in. Ideally, Morrison would've come through and excelled in a position ahead of Carrick and another midfield signing. Wasn't to be, unfortunately.
And he was among our best players in last year's best team performances. City away rings a bell.
As good as I know he can be, I don't think his future is being a dynamic midfielder in a 442.
United fans have been too spoiled watching Scholes in a 442. I think it's time to realize there aren't any midfielders who want to come here that can properly replace Scholes.
This opens up the huge can of worms of going with a 3 man centre midfield with Rooney there and not as striker. Or we kidnap Fabregas or one of the German midfielders.
As good as I know he can be, I don't think his future is being a dynamic midfielder in a 442.
United fans have been too spoiled watching Scholes in a 442. I think it's time to realize there aren't any midfielders who want to come here that can properly replace Scholes.
This opens up the huge can of worms of going with a 3 man centre midfield with Rooney there and not as striker. Or we kidnap Fabregas or one of the German midfielders.
What on earth does this have to do anything?
Poorly worded but just saying that Tom cannot thrive playing in a two man midfield. He is a useful squad player but won't reach Scholes' level.
I do think he's stagnated somewhat, along with Welbeck, which is slightly disappointing.
He often ends up being underwhelming when played in CM.
He often ends up being underwhelming when played in CM.
6, 22 goals 6 conceded in 6 matches before Carrick started in the lineup. But do us all a favour and just stop posting.
Who the feck you think you are to tell people to stop posting? He was anyway injured on the fourth game of the season (against Bolton) so at-least get your facts straight when you try to look smart by being arrogant.
Clev's having a good game tonight and visibly growing in confidence as the minutes pass. He's definitely at his best next to a mobile partner who can get up and down the field alongside him.
I dunfecked up, it was actually before Carrick returned to the starting lineup.
But you're talking utter shite going around telling everyone he's been terrible and it needs to stop.
How he could have played good for 7 games if he got injured on the fourth one?
It doesn't matter anyway, it was a short period of time and after that injury he has never been as good as in those three games.
I corrected it.
Did he play tonight? I watched it but can't remember. He's that ineffective.
Yeah, doesn't take responsibility at all for driving the team forward. Always plays the safe option, never moves out of his comfort zone. Keano would give him a right old bollocking.
Didn't have to but I think you've got a fair point; one that will probably cost Cleverley his place in the team next season when some new central midfielder arrives. I expected Tom to dictate the play, instead it seemed to be Adnan in charge. Cleverley really needs to score a few goals, get some assists, just to make his case because the chances of us retaining the title look slim.
That's the problem though - "didn't need to".
Just because he doesn't need to doesn't mean he shouldn't. It's the sort of thing Keano would yell his bollocks off at.
I don't need him to score goals or assist goals but he needs to take responsibility to run our game and move the ball forward. It's kind of a midfielders job.
Really clutching at straws to put him down now, aren't we?
I don't know what he has to do, to please the majority of people on this thread. He scored 4 goals last season, added a few assists. This season, started slowly and now he and (for some reason) Welbeck have stagnated. What more can they do? They are being picked to play for their country and performing very well for them, so they must be doing something right for Hodgson, formerly SAF, and now Moyes to pick them to start games.
Jesus, you get round a bit don't you Mitch?
Its called socialising Nev, you might want to learn how to do that.
Won't happen. He hasn't got it in him. He has ability and there is a good player in there somewhere, but as I've said before, he doesn't have the balls to play in a midfield two.
Ooooh, hark at her. I just clicked on the home screen and noticed you were the last poster in about 8 different threads, and thought I'd make a friendly acknowledgement. You should be more accepting, since you're so social. I ain't judging you though, brah.
I think I post quite enough to be honest. Too much, many would say.
How does courage come into what formation you play? By that logic, neither did Carrick when most people hated him.
What are you doing on the Caf? You could be making millions coaching at a professional level.
Carrick was always capable of running a game. Cleverly hides away from any responsibility. He looks decent when he's in a 3, he's an outlet and can just be busy. When in a two there's more onus on him to create, or run with the ball, or at least keep hold of it for a bit. The more I see him, the more I realise that he gets rid of the ball as quick as possible, he' s afraid of it.
I disagree, he's a pass and move player, doesn't make him a coward.
If you think for a second that a pass and move player is what we need in a midfield two, you're seriously deluded.
I didn't say that did I? Nor am I deluded, so actually debate before you call me names. I simply described him and said just because he plays that way doesn't make him a coward. A coward is someone who doesn't even want the ball, yet he clearly wants it, and is doing something on it to impress Hodgson, Moyes and Sir Alex.
He doesn't want the ball. He fecking hides in games. Also, read my fecking posts properly, I said IF you think a pass and move player is what we need, then you'd be deluded, I didn't say you did or didn't.
Ashley Young must be a top winger then
Didn't even mention him, why are you bringing him into this?
He's been picked to start by Sir Alex, Moyes and England managers. If thats enough to show that Cleverley is brilliant, its enough to show that Young is too
Some very touchy people in this thread. 
I wasn't saying Cleverley was brilliant, you are putting words in my mouth. I posed a rhetorical question, if he is picked by these managers then he is doing somethin right, because he is easily droppable yet still starts a fair few matches. Young has barely played for us anyway and he was never first choice to begin with.
He's been consistantly picked as a first choice over Nani. Even this season
Some very touchy people in this thread.
People dumping large amounts of bilge as well.
Didn't watch the game tonight, but it's easy to have a guess at how he fared going off this thread.
The argument about him lacking responsibility is completely true, he does. I don't think he fears receiving a pass, but he certainly plays well within himself and plays as someone who is void of confidence in doing anything progressive or proactive with it.
He's someone that doesn't excel in any given area in midfield and his strengths are keeping the passing tempo high with quick short passing and retaining possession. As far as attacking play goes, his is none existent however and I do believe that is largely down to fear. He doesn't have the incision or artistry to combine in the final third or pick out a penetrating pass on a regular basis and he is fully aware of that.
I think he would benefit from playing in a midfield three, where our attacking play would be more fluid and expressive, as opposed to our very rigid and structured system currently used, which hinders his game a bit. In a three the midfielders have less of an onus on them to be massively influential unlike a two. I see that being the only way to really bring the best out of him.
The argument about him lacking responsibility is completely true, he does. I don't think he fears receiving a pass, but he certainly plays well within himself and plays as someone who is void of confidence in doing anything progressive or proactive with it.
He's someone that doesn't excel in any given area in midfield and his strengths are keeping the passing tempo high with quick short passing and retaining possession. As far as attacking play goes, his is none existent however and I do believe that is largely down to fear. He doesn't have the incision or artistry to combine in the final third or pick out a penetrating pass on a regular basis and he is fully aware of that.
I think he would benefit from playing in a midfield three, where our attacking play would be more fluid and expressive, as opposed to our very rigid and structured system currently used, which hinders his game a bit. In a three the midfielders have less of an onus on them to be massively influential unlike a two. I see that being the only way to really bring the best out of him.
He can become a good player to have in the squad as he is a not bad player but united through and through.
This whole midfield 2 thing is a joke. We dont have a midfield 2, we have 4 in midfield, 2 of them play wide in possession. Defensively from the age of 12 players are taught to be compact when possession is lost. If players do the basics a midfield of 3 wont overcome a 4 man midfield. People are so blinkered with their thinking in that they believe 2 center midfielders cant or wont get support from wide players when possession is loss.
Stating that a player cant function in a so called 2 man midfield is simply showing a clear lack of understanding of what goes on.
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