Who is our third best player?

1st Bruno
2nd Pogba
3rd Shaw

Don't usually like comparing different positions but these 3 are lightyears ahead of our other players so this feels pretty safe.
 
When I opened the thread I was expecting an argument for rashford over pogba and maguire.

Shaw
Bruno
Pogba/maguire
Maguire/pogba
Rashford
 
Bruno, obvious.

Maguire, despite his shortcomings still important at the back.

Mctominay, vital to the midfield. Growing in stature. Becoming more of a leader on the pitch and adding to his game.

Fred, i dont think as vital as mctominay, but i might be wrong.
 
I think if you look at it from who are the three hardest players to replace in that team, then it's definitely Bruno, Rashford and Maguire, in that order.

Shaw is in with a shout, and Pogba is important too, but we've dealt with them having long layoffs before. I think if either of the three above were missing for long periods, we'd feel it the most.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
How the feck is Pogba making so many lists? He’s had a few good games recently but it wasn’t long before that when most people would happily see him sold.
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Mostly because of Raiola's ugly fecking mouth though no?

I tend to agree with people that he is one of our best players. Just like Rashford though, he needs to show it more consistently.

Also: Not so long ago people wanted Shaw gone. This will always be a snapshot of how players currently (or in case of Pogba: before his injury) perform.
 
Normally, I'd have Martial and Pogba up there, but Martial hasn't been very good this season, Pogba hasn't played for while, and has been moved all over the place so difficult to say what his true level has been.

I'd say Shaw has been our best player for a while now, and without doubt our most accomplished player in his position. Maguire is next, in quality and performances. Then Bruno, Rashford and Fred who all have similar weaknesses for me.

I have followed football long enough though to know that form has a lot of influence on player perception, so in terms of what I know these players could do, then for me it's

Pogba
Shaw
Martial
Rashford
Maguire
Bruno
 
Godfather said:
Mostly because of Raiola's ugly fecking mouth though no?

I tend to agree with people that he is one of our best players. Just like Rashford though, he needs to show it more consistently.
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Yeah, after I typed that I realised there’s no really obvious number three. Seeing as Rashford (despite excellent numbers) seems to be struggling this season. I’d still have him ahead of Pogba based on overall contribution in the last couple of seasons. Probably Maguire too. Feck it, even Fred has probably had more good games than Pogba in the last two seasons.
 
Top players:

1. Bruno
2. Shaw
____________________________________

Good-ish:

3. Rashford, Maguire, Pogba (depending on what you value)
 
Pogue Mahone said:
Yeah, after I typed that I realised there’s no really obvious number three. Seeing as Rashford (despite excellent numbers) seems to be struggling this season. I’d still have him ahead of Pogba based on overall contribution in the last couple of seasons. Probably Maguire too. Feck it, even Fred has probably had more good games than Pogba in the last two seasons.
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Our number two (who I agree at the moment is Shaw) was not so long ago really struggling as well. Touch wood he stays as good as he is now and most of all: injury free.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
How the feck is Pogba making so many lists? He’s had a few good games recently but it wasn’t long before that when most people would happily see him sold.
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Well, we've seen now and again how much we struggle without Pogba in midfield, since he's our only creative outlet in the middle. Many would happily see him sold because his agent openly stated (not once and not twice) that he wants to leave and he also struggled with injuries for 2 seasons straight. It doesn't mean that he's not among our best players — which he had shown in that last spell before he got injured.
 
Loads of posters saying Maguire but Shaw is our best defender IMO. Unlike the other good players in defence - poor on the ball (AWB) and Maguire (snails pace and error prone) - he doesn't really have any weakness in his game. He's excellent on the ball, he's quick, strong, defensively solid and has the complete lot. He'd not be out of place in any team whether it be City, Bayern or whoever. Can't really say that about the rest of the defence.
 
For me:
Bruno
Pogba
Rashford
—
Shaw
De Gea
—
AWB
Fred
McTom
Maguire
—
The rest
 
A month or two ago no one would have had shaw in any list. Its only since Telles arrived that Shaw has actually shown up and started to play like the form he showed at Southampton.

So is this thread best players based on form or skill? Or based on necessity and need?

If its based on necessity and need then Bruno, Maguire and Fred/Mctominay are essential to how we play.

If its based on skill then Bruno, Pogba, DVB etc meet that criteria.

If its based on form then Bruno, Shaw, Fred make the critieria.

The thread title is too vague imho.
 
dinostar77 said:
A month or two ago no one would have had shaw in any list. Its only since Telles arrived that Shaw has actually shown up and started to play like the form he showed at Southampton.
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Not really, I have had him there for a while now.

His importance to the team was evident after his injury near the end of last season.
 
Bruno
Shaw
Pogba
Rashford
Maguire
Henderson

In that order based on effectiveness and ability for their respective positions.
 
As much as I like Bruno - Shaw has been our most consistent player this season. And both have been one level above everyone else

If I were to rate from 1-6 the most used players we have

6: Bruno and Shaw
5: Rashford, AWB
4: Maguire, Lindelof, McTominay, Fred, Cavani, DDG, Henderson, Matic, Pogba
3: Telles, Bailly, James
2: Martial, Greenwood, Tuanzebe
1: v.d.Beek
 
Depends if your talking about in general or this season.

This Season:
Bruno
Pogba Shaw

Overall:
Bruno
Pogba
Rashford
 
Based on pure ability, Pogba, Bruno and Martial are our best 3 players IMO.
 
Andersons Dietician said:
If we are just going to go off of raw ability then

Martial
Pogba
Shaw
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How is Bruno not there in raw ability?

His passing technique is brilliant
His penalty technique / ability
His finishing / shooting ability is better than even martial
His composure is better than most above.
 
romufc said:
How is Bruno not there in raw ability?

His passing technique is brilliant
His penalty technique / ability
His finishing / shooting ability is better than even martial
His composure is better than most above.
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The only ability that counts are dribbling, short passing and possession.
 
Bruno/Pogba
-
Rashford/Shaw

Hot take - especially in recent times - but I still think Martial at his best (basically City game level form) makes top 5.

If not him then possibly Maguire or AWB(?) Not as big a fan of Fred as many on here.
 
Alfie092 said:
Based on pure ability, Pogba, Bruno and Martial are our best 3 players IMO.
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Shaw's there as well if you take into account the position. He's always had the ability to be one of the best fullbacks in the world, he just struggled with getting injured every time he started really showing it, and of course his final ball into the box was poor. Otherwise he's always had arguably the best first touch in the team, one of the best short-passers, ability to build play out from the back, fast, strong, good in the air, etc. Now that he's added the final ball and has had a consistent run without injury (long may it continue) it's no surprise that he's become so good.
 
On ability top 5 :
Pogba,
Bruno,
Martial,
Shaw,
Maguire,

On form top 5:
Bruno,
Shaw,
Maguire,
Rashford,
McTominay,
 
Stacks said:
The only ability that counts are dribbling, short passing and possession.
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I keep on seing posters talk about Martials ability? What is his ability? We havent seen him pass properly, dribble past players, finish chances in over 8 months now.

If posters are saying he is up there with the best ability, he hasn't shown it. Pogba and Shaw at least even when not in form show their ability.
 
romufc said:
How is Bruno not there in raw ability?

His passing technique is brilliant
His penalty technique / ability
His finishing / shooting ability is better than even martial
His composure is better than most above.
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Personally I don’t agree with any of the things you’ve just stated his passing technique is not brilliant hence the amount of easy 5 yard passes he screws up.
 
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