Well that's always the case and it remains to be seen. However, on tour, he has done very well and deserves a chance in the first team based on that
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We are looking to buy a Left footed CB though as per reports.
I disagree with the first point. Blackett looks like a better technical passer than any of our centre halves tbh. I don't think Keane's as composed as him either; there's times when he's been put under pressure where he looks to have lost his nerve, i never feel that way with Blackett as nothing seems to phase him. Keane may be better at tracking runners, good in the air and no slouch pace wise but they aren't outstanding qualities which is what my point is.
I think Blackett's been the most impressive youngster throughout this tour. Deserves a first team place.
Definitely should be starting carling cup and early rounds of FA Cup, plus back up if Evans/Jones/Smalling gets injured.
But we still need a more experienced CB.
He's impressed me the most on the tour, I wasn't expecting anything of him, if anything I was expecting Keane to out do him.
But his physicality, combined with the way he reads the game is a great combination.
But we still need a more experienced CB.
He's impressed me the most on the tour, I wasn't expecting anything of him, if anything I was expecting Keane to out do him.
But his physicality, combined with the way he reads the game is a great combination.
I would second that. Made Evans look a donkey last night.
And Blackett is quick. Yesterday, early in the second half some Liverpool forward ran past him with the ball but Blackett caught up to him within a few strides and the got the ball. He did it again later in the second half.
He got all the high balls that came his way amd did some great forward passing. On once did his pass get intercepted.
During the Inter game he also shone. Really, really impressed with the lad.
He got all the high balls that came his way amd did some great forward passing. On once did his pass get intercepted.
During the Inter game he also shone. Really, really impressed with the lad.
Tbf though, the teams we played last year were far worse in terms of quality than those we've played this year. Of course we have to see how he does in the league, but he has performed against top players. Zaha really didn't have that opposition at any point last season. Sevilla were the most difficult opposition and you wouldn't consider any of their players to be comparable to Bale, Ronaldo, etc. He's definitely done well enough to warrant our support and some game time once the season starts.
Young lad, done well.
LVG said he can play at this level, that is good praise. He'll be used as backup for sure for the inevitable injuries that'll come along. He'll grow and no doubt be given at least a cup run, and if we have injuries may have a run at the back for a number of games.
I still think we need at least 1 more central defender though. Probably only 1 now that we can have Blackett and Keane as cover - previously I'd have thought we definitely needed 2 central defenders.
LVG said he can play at this level, that is good praise. He'll be used as backup for sure for the inevitable injuries that'll come along. He'll grow and no doubt be given at least a cup run, and if we have injuries may have a run at the back for a number of games.
I still think we need at least 1 more central defender though. Probably only 1 now that we can have Blackett and Keane as cover - previously I'd have thought we definitely needed 2 central defenders.
It's always been that way. Last summer it was Januzaj vs Zaha
I can see van Gaal counting on him just for his distribution. And anyway, he is still very young, he can improve defensively.
if we consider both Keane and Blackett firstteam player as of now, on the paper 5 player foe 3 position seems enough. But we won't real competion but more a clear situation who is starter and who is backing. You need competition to get better or even keep your standard as we saw with Rafael. I still want us to sign a proven CB for competition and covering injuries as well
when with the ball at his feet, he reminds me a bit of Dante
He's done well in all games to date, I can't really recall anything he could have done better on through 3-4 games now, he's always done quite well from the left in the youth, will be interesting to see if he can step up, prior this tour I'd certainly have doubted it.
they havent really being tested. I would still bring in another experienced CB. And a good MF
He's a solid first team option now as far as I'm concerned.
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Nah - Rio was different. Rio was always focused on the game, his problem was that he kept the ball to his feet a bit too much - eventually getting robbed by a striker. Overambitious I guess you could call it - but that was also what eventually made him a superb defender, that he always played his way out of trouble.
Blackett (esp at reserve and U18 levels) appeared not to have his head in the game always - exactly like he did against Roma a few times.
Surprise of the tour alongside Young.. Didnt expect him to make the tour ahead of Thorpe/Vermijl, and much less as cover for the LCB position.. Thought he was going so that LvG could evaluate his LWB options.
Made the most of his chance and there's a very real possibility he'll be with the 1st team squad even if we sign a left footed CB.. Evans is so much better as the central CB in the back 3, expecting to see him start there should we sign a LCB and Blackett be in the swuad as the backup LCB..
Made the most of his chance and there's a very real possibility he'll be with the 1st team squad even if we sign a left footed CB.. Evans is so much better as the central CB in the back 3, expecting to see him start there should we sign a LCB and Blackett be in the swuad as the backup LCB..
I would say that a young Rio struggled with this from time to time and was prone to lapses in his concetration.
A good tour for the lad, I have been impressed with him.
If going by what he is shown on tour, his main strength is his ability to impose himself on his man... If LVG see him as a project he has immense potential and he seem built for this formation, not sure he is the type to cover a lot of ground defensively.
Blackett takes a wicked free kick as well. Not much skill or anything, he just launches rockets.
From a average fullback to a central defender fighting for a first team spot in 2 weeks. I am impressed.
I've really been impressed with his composure....
Easily the most impressive kid on tour. Seems really calm and patient in possession. And TBF Van Gaal has a knack for finding young diamonds that aren't rated as highly by most. Maybe he can "Muller" Blackett. 
He baffles me ever so slightly; he looks big and heavy, and his movements quite cumbersome. Then, all of a sudden he bursts into one helluva sprint and he is fairly agile as well. Also, his calmness on the ball, which is making me slightly nervous every time, is uncanny for such a young, inexperienced player at that level. He, Smalling and Jones/Evans may be a brilliant trio at the back. Evans is of course ahead of him at the moment, but he is certainly a good understudy, as Keane is a good understudy to Jones and Smalling.
With the pace at the back with Smalling, Blackett, Jones (in that order for me), I wonder if Van Gaal shouldn't allow the defense to sit a little higher up the pitch though? I still think our team is a little stretched between the attackers and defense.
With the pace at the back with Smalling, Blackett, Jones (in that order for me), I wonder if Van Gaal shouldn't allow the defense to sit a little higher up the pitch though? I still think our team is a little stretched between the attackers and defense.
I don't see this at all....at all!! He's tall, well built and very fit. Big and heavy sounds like you're talking about Anderson.
Easily the most impressive kid on tour. Seems really calm and patient in possession. And TBF Van Gaal has a knack for finding young diamonds that aren't rated as highly by most. Maybe he can "Muller" Blackett.
more like being "badstubered" than "mullered". still a nice thing to happen.
minus all the injuries of course.
He was born in Manchester, cool.
I think he's ready for the first team lads. He didn't look out of place at all in that 3 CB formation. I rate him above Keane.
He will be a squad player at least imo.
Bit of a surprise, by the got his chance and took it. Doesn't look out of place. Good luck to him this season
I don't see this at all....at all!! He's tall, well built and very fit. Big and heavy sounds like you're talking about Anderson.
By big and heavy, I mean that he looks too muscular and strong to be as fast and agile as he is - not fat in any way - and he also looks slightly slowish in his movements before he gets going, which basically means that I didn't see him as fast before he actually started running.
Pretty much agree with this. Jones, Smalling, Evans will probably be first choice, but then I would have Blackett as back-up and then Keane, who is a little slow I think.
What part of town is he from? United fan?
I would rather give this kid a season and see how it goes than spunk 10M on Vermaelen.
He has shown against some big club's that he is more than ready, I say weed him into a few matches at home against the less dangerous teams and go from there.
On the tour he has looked probably our most composed defender on the ball; something no doubt LVG will love. I think the fact he replaced Evans at half time shows how much faith he has in Blackett.
He has shown against some big club's that he is more than ready, I say weed him into a few matches at home against the less dangerous teams and go from there.
On the tour he has looked probably our most composed defender on the ball; something no doubt LVG will love. I think the fact he replaced Evans at half time shows how much faith he has in Blackett.
I wouldn't. It would not be fun going to Emirates or COM with Jones and Smalling injured - and we have to play Blackett and Keane. That is not fair on them - and not good for us
We need at least 1 new defender.....there will be plenty of chances for those 2 youngsters anyway
The resemblance in playing style with Abidal is uncanny. Also love how he diagnoses plays, very got anticipation skills for a young lad.
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