We've seen Pereira in midfield especially last season. I think getting the ball from defence into midfield and retaining it has been a real issue. We're crying out for someone in midfield who can make the play so to speak and show some skill and confidence in the midfield and Garner fits tthat bill imo. Matic to me looks a shadow of the player who first joined us and that McTominay has passed him in the pecking order shows this. I agree our chance conversion needs to improve but I think why we struggle to dominate the lesser sides as the other top sides do most of the time is because of the lack of control in midfield.
U23s - Manchester United vs Norwich City
- Thread starter RedMachine03
- Start date
To be fair Chong produced far more in the u18s & u23s than Elanga ever has up until the first few games of this season for the u18s where Elanga was excellent but he has looked a bit out of his depth in his first few u23s performances before tonight. In Chong's 2 games with the u23s this season he's also been far more impressive than Elanga has. I understand the desire to see exciting young players but don't understand the revisionism about how good Chong was in underage football just because he's struggled in his first few senior games. This isn't directed at you in particular because it's something I've seen quite a lot of both on here & on twitter.
United only deploy two central mids for starters. McTominay's mobility and engine enables him to start over Matic, but his ability to pass and keep possession from deeper areas isn't as good as Matic. So it's a bit of a push for me, however McTominay deserves to start ahead of Matic most matches if there's 2 CMs. Mark out Pogba or let him gather the ball deep like he has been and he's too far to impact the match on most occasions. Switch of play sure, but the defensive lines just move across and I think most teams are happy to see AWB initiate attacks out wide rather than Pogba or through the middle. The other CM is marked or at least already accounted for (e.g. McTominay). The opposing DM, the 3rd CM, tracks the SS/#10 which has been Lingard or Mata. Then the lone center forward is bracketed between 2 CBs or passed off to the DM if the CF drops off.
I think chong if anything shows the gap between u23s and first team. It shouldn't be a cue to throw every member of the u23s into the first team
Think the EFL competition is a good measuring stick for some of these u23 players. In any case, Garner is already there. I thought Gomes didn't look out of place in his 1 start vs Astana. And we should also compare how these young players step up to others from around the top clubs. For example, Skipp didn't go out on loan last season and played 10 times for Spurs. The same thing is true for Foden, and Hudson Odoi last season although granted they're at the top of of the young prospect level. So Skipp is a good comparison for Garner.
Also, I didn't get to watch the Chelsea match, but Billy Gilmour started in midfield too.
Despite being a better goal threat than Mata, Lingard or Pereira, Angel has not been "integrated". He has 68 minutes in the Europa and 9 in the Premiership. He needs to play ahead of the other 3. I'd also like to see Garner played ahead of Static.
I think you haven's seen Chong play for the youth teams at all. He was at a different level in the U18 and reserves to anything I've seen from Elanga so far.
I'd think Ramazani would be in front of him for selection based on this season showings.
He was out of line calling you an idiot, but telling the guy how he probably never watched them play is pretty cringeworthy. That limerickcitykid guy is regular youth team follower and I think he watches most of the games, based on his updates and history on here.
Your post regarding Elanga and Chong points out that probably you don't watch much of the youth teams yourself. If you did, there is no way someone could write that regarding Chong and Elanga.
I don't seen anything wrong with that Guendouzi guy thrown in the deep at Arsenal to be fair. The reality is considering how appalling our options there are (Matic and Fred) Garner should get minutes and I mean very soon.
Guendouzi played a full season in French league one before playing for Arsenal. Daniel James is comparable to him and not Garner.
Guendouzi played 20 games in the french league 2 at the age of 18/19 and continued to get regular game time since his first day at Arsenal. He was a teenager with very little experience coming into a new league and country and Arsenal threw him in the deep, the kid is their best MF at the moment. At the same time we are wasting minutes on shit like Matic and Fred.
It's funny that Elanga and Chong are relatively similar type of players and people think Elanga won't struggle the same way, or even worse if he's promoted to the first team somehow. At the same point 2 years ago Chong is still injured so can't really compare them when they were at the same age but Elanga would need to up his U23s performances a lot to be even comparable with the current Chong. He's no Greenwood.
On another note Mengi has been good again. Will be interesting to see what's the pathway for him next season.
On another note Mengi has been good again. Will be interesting to see what's the pathway for him next season.
We can only hope.
The shit Chong has got in the last few weeks has been expected, some fans love nothing more than to hype a kid up to be able to tear them down. They're all cnuts imo. I'd ban every single one.
Yes but he has still played professional football for one full season. It doesn't make sense to compare him to Garner who has hardly played any professional football.
Anyways seeing the shit that Chong is getting, I'm glad Garner isn't being rushed. People here will start calling him shit too as if he unsurprisingly takes a little time to adjust to senior football.
Nah he’s right. It’s stupid knee jerk nonsense that has plagued this place the last few years.
Mengi never really seemed like a player that would step up to me, but you’re right he’s been very good this season.
Chong is getting criticism and you will always get criticism playing for a club like Manchester United if you do not deliver, there is also set of fans who made up their mind before the kid even played this 2 last games. I personally thought that he will do better and I am disappointed, but frankly I would rather see Chong get minutes and fail if he is not good enough rather that watch the same shit served by the likes of Lingard and Mata. Giving Garner minutes now wouldn't be rushing him imo, same as Gomes, and same as how Greenwood is getting minutes. Exceptional talents everywhere start playing at the ages of 17/18. United fans tired of watching overpaid shits doing feck all, will appreciate and show patience.
I can't see line ups of who played, did Williams play or rested after his game time on Wednesday?
This is clearly not happening though.
At reserves I agree with you - at U18 Elanga has looked class. But he hasn't been able to bring that level up to the reserves yet.
Yup, it's the complete opposite in fact. People lose their shit after 45mins let alone 2/3 games.
He didn't play - Reece Devine was LB and had a good game
One player who has really improved over the last months is Traore. He never impressed me that much last year, but now he is starting to show a lot more mobility than he did last season.
There's plenty of nonsense on here I agree but there's no need to verbally abuse posters.
Picked up an injury against Rochdale
Chong also looked class for the U18, imo he was better at that level as well. Also worth considering Chong had a terrible injury that derailed his development.
Of course - I am not denying that Chong looked class at U18 and at reserves-level.
Cheers guys!
Largie has been very impressive this season but I just feel Elanga with his extra height and pace would be more useful as an impact sub on Monday.