It's so refreshing to see United win matches consecutively after the nightmare we had last season. Having watched all the matches, I just wanted to share my opinions and concerns and gauge your guys' confidence for the forthcoming season.
1) LvG has brought some life back to the team with his tactics and persona. The 352 seems to the working as treat but wee seem vulnerable to teams pressing high up the pitch.
2) Without the 433 formation, where does that leave Januzaj?
3) By the looks of things, LvG prefers a midfield triangle of a 10 with a 6 and 8 at the base. Unlike de Jong who was employed as a primarily defensive minded 6, LvG has given the 6 on tour licence to roam and join in attacks (B2B). Is it because of lack of personnel or he doesn't need one?
4) Keane and Blackett have been a revelation bar any serious injuries to our CB options like a few years ago, unless we sign a monster CB we should make do with cover we have. Some fans are still undecided about Hummel's lack of pace.
5) I don't know what has happened to Young but I like it but I hope he is at least the immediate competition for Rafa at the RWB rather than Valencia who has just been below average this tour. The technicality and tactical adeptness to play this formation has exposed him once again. Anyone else happy with Hamez for competition at the LWB?
6) Cleverley' saving grace is the injury to Carrick but with that said I would jump at the opportunity to sell him to Everton for the rumoured price. I still cannot define his role. One moments he thinks he's Scholes, the next its Iniesta. Unfair to Fellaini not have kicked a ball this tour but he should do his ball kicking elsewhere and take Anderson with him. If the manager is as ruthless as I am, that would mean we would be shorts of 4CMs at the start of the season. Other than Vidal and Strootman, any suggestions or youth?
7) I hope this tour has cleared a few things up. Mata and Kagawa should be our ONLY recognised 10s. None of this Rooney can play there rubbish. Mata passing is more expansive and direct but I'm happy to have the option of Kagawa's short and slow passing.
8) Nani looked uninterested all tour. Saving himself for potential suitors? On the other hand Hernandez tried again but is it enough to convince the gaffer?
9) What happens to Lingard, Powell and Zaha?
10) Can Rooney and RVP work well in this formation without getting into each others spaces?
I know its a lot but it should be enough for you transfer muppets to be occupied instead of torturing your poor souls with twitter rumours of Vidal and Hummels.
US Tour.Thoughts?...
posted on 5/8/14
cool, cheers
posted on 5/8/14
comment by conormcgrace (U4307)
posted 9 minutes ago
If the manager is as ruthless as I am...
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Tell me more about your ruthlessness, Dichinero17.
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Oh I am ruthless. I once took over Liverpool on FM a stuck Suarez and Gerrard in the U18s for two seasons for back chat!
posted on 5/8/14
Without the 433 formation, where does that leave Januzaj?
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On the bench where he was for a lot of games last season. When not on the bench he will likely play where Welbeck has been playing in pre season.
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3) By the looks of things, LvG prefers a midfield triangle of a 10 with a 6 and 8 at the base. Unlike de Jong who was employed as a primarily defensive minded 6, LvG has given the 6 on tour licence to roam and join in attacks (B2B). Is it because of lack of personnel or he doesn't need one
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You are over thinking this way too much. It is far more simple than this.
posted on 5/8/14
Keane and Blackett have been a revelation
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Way over the top. Keane has been adequate, Blackett has done very well though. Looks more composed than Evans, that is for sure.
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Cleverley' saving grace is the injury to Carrick
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Cleverley isn't good enough. Watching Henderson, yes Henderson, leave him for dead and then nutmeg him was embarrassing. He runs like he is in quicksand. His brain and pahysical speed are not quick enough for the top level.
posted on 5/8/14
I thought the first tour went so well we should do another
posted on 5/8/14
I hope this tour has cleared a few things up. Mata and Kagawa should be our ONLY recognised 10s.
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Rooney is a far better # 10 than Kagawa. Get over Kagawa please.
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Nani looked uninterested all tour. Saving himself for potential suitors? On the other hand Hernandez tried again but is it enough to convince the gaffer?
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If I had to bet on a certainty, it will be that Nani is on his way. Hernandez will probably follow.
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the three of Lingard, Powell and Zaha should all go on loan this season for me.
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Not sure where Powell will fit in. He is not a CM, and not good enough to be a #10. He will likely get sold if we get a decent offer.
posted on 5/8/14
First of all, without going overboard, the tour has certainly been a successful one.
In a short space of time, I've been impressed by how quickly the players have adapted to the system change. Obviously it still needs a bit of fine tuning, more practice and new personnel added to it but on the whole the players have responded well.
One of the things I've been most pleased about is our confidence in possession which was nowhere to be seen last season. Our passing is much more assured, sharper and accurate and we've played some excellent football which has been so great to see. It's been brilliant watching us play as a team again and with a clear plan. Structure, balance, cohesion, style and tempo. Vastly different to last season.
Defensively I think we've done quite well with three at the back despite the odd rash challenge and poor decision. I really don't think we're as bad as some people say. The obvious concern is injury and fitness. If we were able to minimize defensive injuries, then I wouldn't be too concerned if we left things as they are for the time being. With more practice and more time getting used to playing with each other, hopefully a good defensive unit will eventually form.
Smalling as I've been saying for quite a while, out of the defenders we have now, despite not being the best in possession, is for me our best and most natural defender and when fit, he has to play.
Blackett's performances have been a pleasant surprise. He wasn't tested a great deal but when he was, he always made the right decision. Hard to tell if he'll be as comfortable when the proper season starts but no doubt he's shown some promising signs of maturity.
Young perhaps has an important part to play as a wing-back IF he can maintain this sort of form. On the basis of pre-season, I'd much rather he played at WB than Valencia who I haven't thought much of tbh although I'm hoping Rafael returns quickly. Young has shown tactical discipline, he's been a threat going forward and his delivery has actually been consistently good.
Couldn't be happier with Herrera. He didn't play that well last night I thought but did brilliantly for Rooney's goal. He's shown his quality with and without the ball. His range of passing, vision and ability to create time and space for himself but also his aggression and tenacity in winning the ball back. He loves a battle. Hopefully we can get him a midfield partner of equal or better quality before the window shuts.
Really enjoyed watching Mata, Rooney and Welbeck playing together and in their proper positions. I think it's a well balanced front three. Obviously Welbeck will make way for Robin when he returns but it'll be interesting to see if the front three works as well as it does with Welbeck in it. Rooney and Welbeck have often played well together but Rooney and RvP haven't. It's a front three which lacks pace and I'd prefer we had some pace up front and somebody who can stretch defences and create space for others.
Now that the team are back in the UK, hopefully the squad will really take shape over the next few weeks with players leaving and hopefully coming in.
posted on 5/8/14
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 42 minutes ago
First of all, without going overboard,
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Didn't really work out did it?
posted on 5/8/14
Overboard as in overestimating how well we've done because it's only pre-season.
posted on 5/8/14
Finally the Dolphins can train for the New Season at their Stadium!!!
A beautiful sight seeing UTD playing at the Dolphins Stadium!
Oh, Pre Season went well too...