[MikeKing]

Hey @A-man , wasn't it you who talked about the importance of defenders aiming their headers? It was someone on here who talked about it. Nice aiming from Lindelof yesterday. A real pro.

I don't think we've seen that sort of goal at United in over a decade that's too easy and shouldn't happen. Smalling used to take those balls down on his chest and make the uninspiring pass to the right back, Lindelof just gives them away to the opposition in dangerous areas to concede goals. Different levels man.

 

[A-man]

Hey @A-man , wasn't it you who talked about the importance of defenders aiming their headers? It was someone on here who talked about it. Nice aiming from Lindelof yesterday. A real pro.

I don't think we've seen that sort of goal at United in over a decade that's too easy and shouldn't happen. Smalling used to take those balls down on his chest and make the uninspiring pass to the right back, Lindelof just gives them away to the opposition in dangerous areas to concede goals. Different levels man.

It could have been me. For me who actually watches Smalling play, I could inform you that 2 matches ago, Roma conceded a goal after Smalling headed it straight to the foot of an attacking player. Sounds impossible to you? Maybe you start watching Smalling play before you make so ignorant posts?

oh, and last match Roma conceded after Smalling decided to box the ball with his hand.

 

[MikeKing]

It could have been me. For me who actually watches Smalling play, I could inform you that 2 matches ago, Roma conceded a goal after Smalling headed it straight to the foot of an attacking player. Sounds impossible to you? Maybe you start watching Smalling play before you make so ignorant posts?

oh, and last match Roma conceded after Smalling decided to box the ball with his hand.

It wasn't me who talked about the importance of Lindelof's strength of winning headers and aiming them to a team mate. You made that up to defend his aerial weakness and I knew you were wrong, I just didn't have the proof until now And yeah, sorry about the pettiness of this.

 

[A-man]

It wasn't me who talked about the importance of Lindelof's strength of winning headers and aiming them to a team mate. You made that up to defend his aerial weakness and I knew you were wrong, I just didn't have the proof until now And yeah, sorry about the pettiness of this.

I don’t know if he is particularly good at that, but Smalling is poor at that for being so dominant in the air. Smalling also clears the ball with a header when he could control it instead. That was/is my opinion about some of Smalling’s weaknesses.

 

[Megadrive Man]

He's a full back playing at centre half.

He might be ok on the right of a back three, but he's definitely not a good defender to have in the centre of a back four.

 

[MikeKing]

I don’t know if he is particularly good at that, but Smalling is poor at that for being so dominant in the air. Smalling also clears the ball with a header when he could control it instead. That was/is my opinion about some of Smalling’s weaknesses.

Whatever man, I probably remembered it wrong or someone else said it.

 

[A-man]

Whatever man, I probably remembered it wrong or someone else said it.

No, you’re probably right, I think I wrote something like that.

 

[Yagami]

Bit rich criticising him for every little thing while praising Harry Maguire for being best transfer of all times. The gap isn't even that big this year, I am not Lindelof's fan by any means but he's had many games in which he was better than yer boy Maguire. If he isn't good to be a squaddie then Maguire shoudn't be a starter either, which is bit over the top.

What can I say? I think Maguire's a very good CB, and have thought so for years, and I think Lindelof is a terrible one, and have thought so since he joined.

 

[Fussmeister]

Clearly a trainwreck first half from him, but anyone who watches him regularly and objectively can see it was only a matter of time before he had one of these performances.

He is completely useless at winning any sort of 50/50, challenge or header convincingly which invites so much unnecessary pressure on the defence. Any sensible CB would have sent that header far up the pitch for the 2nd goal and left one in on Gundogan in the process (it's a derby and Cup semi final..).

He also consistently jogs around without urgency, not picking up anyone, marking space and not sensing danger - game in, game out. And again we saw that with the 2nd and 3rd goal.

The jog part is frustrating. I think he has the tools to be a great CB but dont know how to use them. The third goal was insane.

Since he became a dad his form has gone South big time

 

[Raven]

What can I say? I think Maguire's a very good CB, and have thought so for years, and I think Lindelof is a terrible one, and have thought so since he joined.

Has your opinion changed since Maguire came in? I've been extremely disappointed with him and I think Lindelof has been the better of the 2 over the season so far.

 

[poleglass red]

Has your opinion changed since Maguire came in? I've been extremely disappointed with him and I think Lindelof has been the better of the 2 over the season so far.

Maguire has done decent for us, he's looked a bit tired recently, but I've been happy enough. I think Lindelof has been poor, remember this is Lindeloff's 3rd season with us and still he doesn't look right. The physicality is an issue for him, we all know that but he also looks uncomfortable with the ball at his feet, which was supposed to be his strength. The problem with Maguire and Lindelof is they are both easily turned, problem is neither are that quick. In an ideal central defence partnership, you'd have that one defender with a quick turn of pace, we don't, they don't compliment each other. One doesn't cover for the other when he's turned. Also in defence of either player, we haven't had a proper defensive midfielder to protect them. I think either player needs that more pacey central defender to play with. From what I've seen so far, I'd stick with Maguire, and look to pair him with a more mobile defender.

 

[Snuffkin]

I'd stick with Maguire, and look to pair him with a more mobile defender.

I'd have liked him to have been paired with Smalling. Never seen lindelof have a good game that wasn't just average.

 

[top1whoisman]

Lindelöf told United's official podcast: 'When they offered me a new contract (in September) it was very, very easy for me. I never really looked at [the contract]. I just took up the pen and signed it.

'I'm very happy here and I want to be here for many more years to come and I know that I can become a better player here.

'I know the club can help me and I want to stay here for more years and hopefully we can win some trophies as well. That's my main goal.'

After signing his new deal in September, Lindelof told the club website: 'Since the day I arrived at United it has felt like home.

'I have grown significantly both as a player and as a person in the last two years and for that I am grateful to everyone at the club for their help and support.

'I love playing football and my aim now is to help the team to win trophies and repay the fans for their unrivalled support.

'I know that everyone at the club shares this vision and will give everything to get Manchester United back to where it belongs.

'I'm still young and know I can improve further but with the help of the boss and his coaching staff, I believe that only good things are ahead for this great club.'

 

[Red Keane]

After the Everton, Arsenal & Man City (LC SF) games, its clear to see that he is simply not good enough to play for United. So much so that I feel that OGS needs to give Eric Bailly a proper chance (something he has yet to do thoughtout his time in the dugout.

 

[romufc]

Lindelöf told United's official podcast: 'When they offered me a new contract (in September) it was very, very easy for me. I never really looked at [the contract]. I just took up the pen and signed it.

'I'm very happy here and I want to be here for many more years to come and I know that I can become a better player here.

'I know the club can help me and I want to stay here for more years and hopefully we can win some trophies as well. That's my main goal.'

After signing his new deal in September, Lindelof told the club website: 'Since the day I arrived at United it has felt like home.

'I have grown significantly both as a player and as a person in the last two years and for that I am grateful to everyone at the club for their help and support.

'I love playing football and my aim now is to help the team to win trophies and repay the fans for their unrivalled support.

'I know that everyone at the club shares this vision and will give everything to get Manchester United back to where it belongs.

'I'm still young and know I can improve further but with the help of the boss and his coaching staff, I believe that only good things are ahead for this great club.'

A player that wants to play for the club, is a decent CB and the fans want to get rid.

We need more personalities like him at the club. It is a shame most fans actually want him gone.

 

[Full bodied red]

After the Everton, Arsenal & Man City (LC SF) games, its clear to see that he is simply not good enough to play for United. So much so that I feel that OGS needs to give Eric Bailly a proper chance (something he has yet to do thoughtout his time in the dugout.

There was a time not so long ago when I was convinced our best CB pairing for years to come was going to be Bailly and Rojo.

Reagrding Lindelhof....Tuesday night he semed absolutely lost / confused / disorientated by Citeh playing without a big, full-on striker.

Against the the big guys he seems to be able to cope OK. Against little busy-busy ones like Sterling the other night, he seems to struggle.

 

[Red Keane]

There was a time not so long ago when I was convinced our best CB pairing for years to come was going to be Bailly and Rojo.

Do you think a Bailly & Maguire partnership be a decent one?

Reagrding Lindelhof....Tuesday night he semed absolutely lost / confused / disorientated by Citeh playing without a big, full-on striker.

Against the the big guys he seems to be able to cope OK. Against little busy-busy ones like Sterling the other night, he seems to struggle.

I have seen this happen on other occasions as well, most notibally when he showed he couln't handle Bukayo Saka in that Arsenal Leg at Old Trafford earlier this season.

I suspect this is due to the weak mentality he seems to possess while on the field. Which explains his other defensive failings as well...

 

[macheda14]

I suspect this is due to the weak mentality he seems to possess while on the field. Which explains his other defensive failings as well...

Wow, great analysis

 

[Full bodied red]

Do you think a Bailly & Maguire partnership be a decent one?

Could be.

I suppose we have to play Maguire and so it's about finding the best partner for him.

I like Bailly for his speed and, to be honest, his ' rawness ' if we can call it that which I'm sure would go with Maguire. Admittedly he can't do much with the ball at his feet, but isn't that supposed to be one of the reasons we bought Maguire ?

Rojo I really like for his 101% no fannying around commitment. He's not everybody's taste, I know, but I like it and with Maguire he'd look and be much better than he was playing with Smalling and Jones.

Maybe Tuanzebe might be a good partner for Maguire - but we've still got to find out that one.

 

[TwoSheds]

Lindelof is a moron who comes across as being totally unfocused, far too many stupid mistakes. He's 25 now I think, we can't make excuses any more based on his age or experience. He has to step up a level (at least!) In the 2nd half of the season.

 

[MikeKing]

Lindelof is a moron who comes across as being totally unfocused, far too many stupid mistakes. He's 25 now I think, we can't make excuses any more based on his age or experience. He has to step up a level (at least!) In the 2nd half of the season.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I agree Maguire and AWB have been very good and also better than Lindelof. But he’s still been good imo. And I don’t think another 80 million CB mean 14 conceded goals in 21 matches as the midfield would still need to be improved. Also many goals come from individual mistakes.

City have had many defenders injured this season. If we look at United they have had Rojo, Jones, Tuanzebe, Bailly, Shaw, Dalot, and now Maguire injured, so it hasn’t been optimal by any means. Most of those injuries have been long term injuries as well. I thought both Maguire and Lindelof looked like they needed some rest.

If it wasn't because Bissaka to cover him up, we would have conceded even more goals from Lindelof's sloppy play. I remember the ones he gave the ball away near our penalty box against Watford & City, Bissaka was able to make him look less worse than what you think.

Lindelof is just not good enough, what is his asset? Nothing.

Centre back is probably a position that we should reconsider to upgrade as well after no 10 & right forward, I said this because at the moment there is no one challenging his spot. Bailly & Tuanzebe just keep getting injured.

 

[Jibbs]

Wan Bissaka could be converted into CB until we get a proper CB to play along Maguire. Lindelof either should be sold or used as back up.

 

[gajender]

Wan Bissaka could be converted into CB until we get a proper CB to play along Maguire. Lindelof either should be sold or used as back up.

It would most probably be a disaster Wan Bissaka lacks positional discipline and is poor in the air and when combined with his apparent discomfort on the ball it's a recipe for disaster.

 

[A-man]

If it wasn't because Bissaka to cover him up, we would have conceded even more goals from Lindelof's sloppy play. I remember the ones he gave the ball away near our penalty box against Watford & City, Bissaka was able to make him look less worse than what you think.

Lindelof is just not good enough, what is his asset? Nothing.

Centre back is probably a position that we should reconsider to upgrade as well after no 10 & right forward, I said this because at the moment there is no one challenging his spot. Bailly & Tuanzebe just keep getting injured.

Yes of course AWB has covered for Lindelof. It’s expected from every player as it is a team effort. Lindelof covers for AWB and Maguire all the time. For you it sound as something new. I inderatand you hate him, but the bad news for you is that you probably have to watch him for a long time as I doubt there will be any more investments for top CBs for some time.

 

[Rajma]

I would ship him the summer if he doesn’t dramatically improve, he can’t be a starter for us.

 

[Zlatan Ibrahomovic]

One problem with me is his passiveness. Always falling, falling and falling. That ofcourse reduces the amount of fatal, obvious errors, but this kind of play-style from the central defender puts the whole team on the back foot, since they know that if the ball gets past the midfielders, the whole team will have to fall because Lindelöf's defensive style is so passive.

This kind of passive mistake-reducing playstyle of course has positive sides, I am just not so sure it is well suited to what Manchester United need at this point of time when our team is shambles.

 

[Ekeke]

It would most probably be a disaster Wan Bissaka lacks positional discipline and is poor in the air and when combined with his apparent discomfort on the ball it's a recipe for disaster.

He's not at all uncomfortable with the ball. There would obviously be some rough edges, like a month or two ago when the player flicked it past him and scored.

But having seen players like Rooney go from looking poor leading the line to being a great goalscorer from the position, we shouldnt be afraid of young players being given the chance in a new position that would seem to suit them.

 

[Ekeke]

One problem with me is his passiveness. Always falling, falling and falling. That ofcourse reduces the amount of fatal, obvious errors, but this kind of play-style from the central defender puts the whole team on the back foot, since they know that if the ball gets past the midfielders, the whole team will have to fall because Lindelöf's defensive style is so passive.

This kind of passive mistake-reducing playstyle of course has positive sides, I am just not so sure it is well suited to what Manchester United need at this point of time when our team is shambles.

I agree. I'd rather see someone try and fail to put pressure on an attacker so they need to show a bit of skill and ability to get into a position for a chance, rather than someone who backs off and lets everyone else try to make a challenge. A good example of this was Lindelof Vs. Traore for Wolves. Traore's first dribble inside he had a heavy touch but because Lindelof is so passive he just continued to back off and off. If he had been even thinking of pinching the ball it would have been quite easy. When Traore then recovered the heavy touch to have it under control, Maguire showed some authority and stepped in and then made a good tackle. He did that multiple times against him showing that while Maguire doesnt make many tackles, he's good at timing them when he thinks they are important.

 

[Paxi]

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Yes of course AWB has covered for Lindelof. It’s expected from every player as it is a team effort. Lindelof covers for AWB and Maguire all the time. For you it sound as something new. I inderatand you hate him, but the bad news for you is that you probably have to watch him for a long time as I doubt there will be any more investments for top CBs for some time.

If you are going to give me example when Lindelof had to cover AWB & Maguire, I’ll truly appreciate it.

No you don’t understand a damn thing. The point is that we conceded some of our goals this season from his own weakness and errors and it could be even worse if it’s not because Bissaka had to cover him, and I gave you two examples that happened not more than a month ago while you gave me nothing but arguing. You shouldn’t overate player‘s overall performance.

 

[Based Adnan]

Done well today, more communicative than usual which was good to see

 

[MikeKing]

Decent performance, played on the front foot when we had the ball which is something he should be doing more regularly. Happy to see him bounce back, even if he didn't have much defending to do he was good enough on the ball today at least. Aside from a few of his usual misplaced passes out from the back in dangerous areas.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Decent performance, played on the front foot when we had the ball which is something he should be doing more regularly. Happy to see him bounce back, even if he didn't have much defending to do he was good enough on the ball today at least. Aside from a few of his usual misplaced passes out from the back in dangerous areas.

Exactly. He does it sometimes, no idea why he always manages to default to backing off when he's not bad at playing on the front foot.

It was a good game, I still hold hope that he can make it the new norm because his build-up play is good.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

His passing between the lines is phenomenal.

 

[Bobski]

His passing between the lines is phenomenal.

His best asset by far.

He is a better passer than Maguire, who much prefers the longer option or the wide men compared to getting it between lines. Lindelof is particularly good at first time passes, just a pity that he is so passive defensively and when his confidence is rattled he goes into his shell in every part of his play.

 

[He'sRaldo]

His passing between the lines is phenomenal.

It's so enjoyable to watch.

 

[ivaldo]

Remember when everyone was going mental over this stat with VVD.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Only saw the game from the end of the 1st half onwards but in general, I thought l most of the team played well, including Lindelof. However, Norwich were really, really poor. From what I saw, they didn't really press, counter or compete at all and basically turned up to get rolled over.

This is such a non-factor of a stat for Lindelof because he never really engages or takes proactive steps to be in those situations as he mostly back tracks and waits for cover help. That may sound like 'intelligent' defending (and it is on occasions) but in reality it means the opposition regularly advances the ball deep into our half with little challenge. This intangible 'negative' type of play will never show as a measure or stat and we wouldn't be able to critique on objectively. Instead we use our eyes and that's why there are many consistent opinions shared across the whole forum that Lindelof is simply too passive.

For example, that weak defending on the half way line when he got 'dribbled'/bypassed against Wolves won't show in this stat because it was a League Cup game.

Like others, I hope he proves me wrong and improves massively because he has some decent qualities but that's too far and few inbetween.

 

[A-man]

His passing between the lines is phenomenal.

From a defensive point of view it was a rather easy match for the whole defence, but Lindelof played very well between the lines. Effective way to break down the pressure from Norwich and it seemed they gave up this idea.

If you are going to give me example when Lindelof had to cover AWB & Maguire, I’ll truly appreciate it.

No you don’t understand a damn thing. The point is that we conceded some of our goals this season from his own weakness and errors and it could be even worse if it’s not because Bissaka had to cover him, and I gave you two examples that happened not more than a month ago while you gave me nothing but arguing. You shouldn’t overate player‘s overall performance.

When Maguire moves forward to head the ball etc, Lindelof covers for him. When Maguire misses the header, tackle etc he has to take care of it. Pretty standard procedure in football and all you need to do is pay better attention and you’ll see it. Maguire is expected to do the same when Lindelof moves forward.