Van de Beek. I think a lot will be shocked that he's still unable to get game time.
Which players do you think could surprise us next season?
- Thread starter Tarrou
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Maguire, provided that Ten Hag is able to successfully lay the foundations next season.
He's had an awful season this season but any time Maguire has played in a side that has been at least somewhat coherent, he's stood out as being a solid defender with strong ball-playing ability. Having watched a bit of Ajax, I think his strengths will endear him to Ten Hag; centre-backs in his sides tend to be fairly aggressive, looking to engage opponents quickly, and are also typically proactive in driving with the ball and even looking to support attacks when the situation arises. Further, although this isn't necessarily true of his current Ajax pairing (Martinez and Timber), I think Maguire's aerial ability will be a fairly big plus-point since Ten Hag will almost certainly favour operating with a high defensive line.
I'll admit I'm quite biased here since I have always quite liked Maguire as a player, and have something of a soft spot for him even now, but I think provided his confidence isn't completely shot from this season we're likely to see much better performances from him when Ten Hag takes over.
He's had an awful season this season but any time Maguire has played in a side that has been at least somewhat coherent, he's stood out as being a solid defender with strong ball-playing ability. Having watched a bit of Ajax, I think his strengths will endear him to Ten Hag; centre-backs in his sides tend to be fairly aggressive, looking to engage opponents quickly, and are also typically proactive in driving with the ball and even looking to support attacks when the situation arises. Further, although this isn't necessarily true of his current Ajax pairing (Martinez and Timber), I think Maguire's aerial ability will be a fairly big plus-point since Ten Hag will almost certainly favour operating with a high defensive line.
I'll admit I'm quite biased here since I have always quite liked Maguire as a player, and have something of a soft spot for him even now, but I think provided his confidence isn't completely shot from this season we're likely to see much better performances from him when Ten Hag takes over.
Rashford
This is not a criticism, we all see things differently and bring our own preconceptions to our analysis. But a couple of things;
-Defenders who play in a high line either need to pretty quick, good acceleration, change of direction etc to be able to cover the space behind them, or they need a GK who is happy and comfortable playing the sweeper role behind them, which doesn’t happen at Utd. I struggle to see how that is playing to maguire’s strengths, if anything I’d say it exposes his weaknesses.
-Ball playing ability: I always think maguire takes an absolute age to play the ball out- he’s just not confident or able enough with his weaker foot so he often ends up having to reposition his whole body to pass the ball. And the passes themselves don’t really stand out to me as being either difficult, decisive, quick, or particularly accurate compared to most top 6 centre backs.
As I say, it’s not my intention to say I know it all, you know nothing, etc. Obviously both of us feel our opinions are backed up by our observations, abs we are both equally likely to be wrong, I’m just quite surprised by the way you see him.
I think he has genuine attributes that justify having a high fee (maybe not THAT high, but still a high fee), and justify being a regular for Utd and England, but I find it interesting that I seem to see virtually the opposite of what you see!
Luke shaw will be a worldy under a top coach.
If he's given a chance I think Chong will surprise a few people. he has the right tenacity for a Ten Hag team and can ghost into various positions. He hasn't been allowed to do that previously and I think he could thrive.
I don't blame anyone who has forgotten, but Rashford on form is scintillating. I genuinely would put an in-form Rashford into any team in the World.
So I hope him.
I haven't given up on AWB like others have. There's a good player in there and I hope EtH gets a tune from him. So i'll say AWB.
So I hope him.
I haven't given up on AWB like others have. There's a good player in there and I hope EtH gets a tune from him. So i'll say AWB.
I don`t know if Donny can fit into this team. Donny benefits a style of play that holds possession. I don`t see enough players at United who can hold the ball, recollect it fast and put pressure as a team. It will depend on the players United will bring in.
I can imagine Shaw will be in his element under Erik ten Hag, as well as maybe Rashford. I think Fernandes will like his style as well, but that wouldn`t be much of a surprise.
I`m really curious what he is going to do with Maguire, he seems to be the opposite of what Ten Hag likes in a defender. I wonder if he will feel a necessity to adjust that to where he is managing, or if he believes he can make a more technical defender work. Or maybe as a pairing.
I can imagine Shaw will be in his element under Erik ten Hag, as well as maybe Rashford. I think Fernandes will like his style as well, but that wouldn`t be much of a surprise.
I`m really curious what he is going to do with Maguire, he seems to be the opposite of what Ten Hag likes in a defender. I wonder if he will feel a necessity to adjust that to where he is managing, or if he believes he can make a more technical defender work. Or maybe as a pairing.
You'd hope all of them.
If ETH loves Donny so much, why was he (as far as is known) happy to let him go from Ajax?
For the same reason all Ajax players leave, a richer teams bids for them and they sold them? De Jong, Ziyech, De Ligt etc all left too.
Took the words out of my mouth.
I hope we see an improvement in every single player.
Admittedly, I don't know much about Ten Hag, but I do remember his assistant (Van Ver Gaag) from his playing days at Motherwell. He was a very uncompromising defender, so hopefully he's the bad cop to Ten Hag's bad cop.
One thing is for sure, and I think we all agree about this: The players living a life of luxury has to be over. It's time they shaped up or be shipped out.
Where have you heard it’s possible he won’t be charged?
Isn't that been Ajax's template for generations?
It's what they do. They produce players and then sell them. In the past three seasons they've sold players for £330m which is insane.
The standard and the number of megastars that they've produced, to this day, has been simply extraordinary.
Thank you for saying that. Press has become such a buzzword that its plain annoying now.
I personally have a hunch that Dalot kicks on and becomes a major attacking threat from RB.
Clearly we have a lot of players with little to no confidence so the only way is up: Maguire, Rashford most notably but also Shaw, Fernandes, Fred and Sancho have had stop start seasons.
Midfield wise i do think Donny comes in and plays a part but we need such a major re-jig there it's hard to pinpoint who stars as we need signings.
Clearly we have a lot of players with little to no confidence so the only way is up: Maguire, Rashford most notably but also Shaw, Fernandes, Fred and Sancho have had stop start seasons.
Midfield wise i do think Donny comes in and plays a part but we need such a major re-jig there it's hard to pinpoint who stars as we need signings.
Outside chance perhaps, as with Cavani and Martial almost certainly gone and no clue what Ronaldo's doing = the Greenwood omission - we do seem to have gaps that need filling in the forward area.
We need significant investment in the team and we cant do it all in one window. If we heavily strengthen the midfield for example then Chong/Pellistri and maybe Amad may be in contention for squad roles and who knows they may flourish.
I thought Chong would have come on by now, he's had a few shoddy loans but looks talented.
Sancho seems to be the most obvious choice but I'm going with VDB. He knows Ten Hag's style of play and with Pogba most likely to leave, there will be spot in midfield. If VDB can't make it next season with his old coach, don't see him staying past January.
I am sure most of here would not have seen Piet Keizer play for Ajax in the 70s. He doesn't like to press but he did his bit on the left wing.
Its a lot more complicated as you say. Players are given zones in which they are responsible. So they don't have to run like a headless chicken all over the place.
I remember an article by Hugo Sotil saying that when he was at Barca with Cruijff under Michels, his position was striker when they have the ball and left midfield when they don't have it.
So hoping that Ten Hag would bring that kind of playing at United.
Shouldn't be anything surprising with Fred, he's a good player and has shown it. Bruno finding better form shouldn't be a surprise either with better coaching.
Shaw is fitness dependent IMO.
Maguire I think should find his form and confidence, but we'll see. Rashford is the guy who I'd expect the biggest turn around from, as he's been woeful but capable of so much. I wouldn't be surprised though. Same with Sancho, nobody should be surprised if players who have shown top form just click better under a better manager.
The surprise for me would be Van de Beek, as i don't think he is good enough for the premier league or United, but ETH and him know each other so maybe it works out. A surprise could be Dalot stepping up to be more than just "meh but starter anyway" at RB.
Shaw is fitness dependent IMO.
Maguire I think should find his form and confidence, but we'll see. Rashford is the guy who I'd expect the biggest turn around from, as he's been woeful but capable of so much. I wouldn't be surprised though. Same with Sancho, nobody should be surprised if players who have shown top form just click better under a better manager.
The surprise for me would be Van de Beek, as i don't think he is good enough for the premier league or United, but ETH and him know each other so maybe it works out. A surprise could be Dalot stepping up to be more than just "meh but starter anyway" at RB.
United's got a lot of great players who look like deadwood because the team collectively play very badly. With the team playing properly players like Bruno Fernández, Fred, Varane, Cristiano, etc. Will surely look like elite players again.
Maguire- as it's a basic impossibility for him to have a worse season than this one.
Shaw & Sancho- I think they'll flourish playing in a Ten Hag side.
Lindleof- Wouldn't surprise me if ETH makes good use of him.
VDB- Would this even be a surprise? We're all going to be on Donny watch going into the first game.
Shaw & Sancho- I think they'll flourish playing in a Ten Hag side.
Lindleof- Wouldn't surprise me if ETH makes good use of him.
VDB- Would this even be a surprise? We're all going to be on Donny watch going into the first game.
I think our defenders can play much better and our midfielders improve.
Not only that, after his first season, he became quite good at commanding his area as well. He’d come out for crosses and either punch or catch the ball. He went from being ridiculed and called a “flapper” to it not even being discussed. Last few seasons he just stays on the line and doesn’t engage at all. I’m 100% of the opinion it’s down to instructions.
Well yes. You’re both right, obvs.
Teachers don’t have equally fond memories of all their ex-pupils though, even the clever and well-behaved ones. ETH might love Donny, but I think people on here are a bit presumptuous in assuming that he is certain to.
I’m very much hoping that he does, and can turn him into a mainstay of the side. I don’t think it’s by any means a certainty though.
With such a small squad of players as it is, and with the potential to see 9 players leaving for one reason or another, then it is hard to say for sure who will be the surprise package, I would love to say Solskjaer as it would be great to have that name on the scoresheet for the first team yet again!
James Garner
Harry Maguire. It can't get any worse right?
They've pretty much all set the bar pretty low for themselves this year. As someone else said though, I suspect a big surprise for everyone will be when VdB is still not getting in the side!
Its Sancho for me, you watch him play and you see the brain for the game he has for the sort of passing fluid set up Ten Hag team plays I expect him to be united star next season, another would be Shaw, i think he's is suitable with his technique, Fred too, his short passing link up play has been good and he clearly plays better when the team is being proactive, Bruno would need to adapt but I feel he is capable.......wild card Martial, he was very good for Van Gaal possession football, his only problem would be his attitude, I've always felt a team that has the ball more often than not gets the best out of him.
I think Dalot will improve a lot, if we don't being in another right back.
Donny will replace Pogba in the team and surprise us. It hasn't worked out so far, but he is a system player and ETH system will suit hin just fine. The bar isn't that high anyway.
Donny will replace Pogba in the team and surprise us. It hasn't worked out so far, but he is a system player and ETH system will suit hin just fine. The bar isn't that high anyway.
There was a short article about a fan that got in his face. One sentence in the article suggested that the charges may be dropped.
Are all the players on fresh starts again? The cycle.
Fred, Sancho and Rashford.
I liked what I saw of the 10-15 minutes of Elanga at right back. Having seen more of Elanga in a wide forward position, I don't think he is going to become an outstanding player there. He will be okay, not a bad player. But with his pace, ability on the ball, defensive aggressiveness, and passing ability, he could excel as right back. Think of Cancelo and Alexander-Arnold as the mold that he would be following. With more training at right back, his positioning should improve and we could have the right back problem solved with an excellent athlete who has the desire.
Sancho is a system player and will thrive in a possession team. Think there are more levels to come from him.
Hence it is expected he will do well and won't be a surprise..
I think Sancho and Shaw will both thrive under Ten Hag and an actual system with a good coaching set up, I also think Laird and Garner if given a first team chance will both surprise people with how good they can be and both are Ten Hag type of players despite only seeing potential so far.
A lot TBH. We are a shite show this season but this lot have got us second and third. There is quality there, even though you have to look real hard to see it. Rashford and Shaw are very talented IMO. Then there are players like Fred and McTom that would look good as backups to a decent team. Sancho and Varane are superb talents that should be amongst the best in their positions.
Maguire and AWB I think would look good in a defensive counter attacking team, but in a possession high defensive line one, probably need to go. Once they get back to a team that plays to their strengths, they will look very good.
Maguire and AWB I think would look good in a defensive counter attacking team, but in a possession high defensive line one, probably need to go. Once they get back to a team that plays to their strengths, they will look very good.