I think the big fear with United fans in analysing the current squad is that the "core group" of players are all in the same bracket. They are all at a crossroads in their careers where they are 20-25ish and need to make that next step into being proper first team United players capable of playing at the highest level. They can no longer hide behind the more experienced players as theyve all gone.
In that bracket you have; Welbeck, Hernandez, Smalling, Evans, Jones, Cleverley, Anderson, Rafael. There is a huge question mark over every single one of these players that Fergie lined up as the next generation coming through. Not one single player in this group has stepped forward and grasped their opportunity. Under Moyes it could be argued that every single one stepped back in their career.
In my eyes if LvG is to have any kind of realistic legacy, it wont be winning trophies, it'll be turning two or three of these "maybe" players into real Man Utd level first teamers that we all hoped they would. Its unrealistic to expect that in a transfer window we can sell every one and replace them with someone new. They all had potential and all have talent but theyve all stood still or gone backwards. This is the fear alot of us have in there is a large number of players in this bracket.
If LvG can transform a few of these who are the most likely candidates? or do you think they are all lost causes?
Core of the squad is questionable
posted on 27/8/14
BB
His last season for me, if he is injured for half of this whats the point?
posted on 27/8/14
I think Kagawa was needed, when we bought him. But, a few days later, RVP became available.
Kagawa was never going to dislodge Rooney for the #10 position.
posted on 27/8/14
comment by Stretty - VidalsBarnet (U3123)
posted 3 minutes ago
BB
His last season for me, if he is injured for half of this whats the point?
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I agree. I think he should be replaced and used as back up/ rotation
posted on 27/8/14
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by UnitedRedMacca - First with the news!! (U2024)
posted 9 minutes ago
Welbeck squad
Hernandez sell
Smalling squad/start (Big season for him)
Jones start
Evans squad
Cleverley squad
Anderson sell unless LVG performs a minor miracle
Rafael start.
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The problem is, when we have squad players like Cleverly, Evans and Welbs, we have no chance when the likes of City have Jovetic, Negredo, Fernandinho. Navas ect as back up
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When everyone is fit. Clevs wouldn't make the bench
If we do sign 1 more CB top class and CM top class
Then our bench will look a lot better and have the likes of potentially Carrick Smalling Welbeck Januzaj and even one of Mata/RVP/Rooney
If city had 9 injuries, including 4 midfielders, their bench wouldn't look any better than ours now
We're heading in the right direction now. Certainly in terms of investment being made to the squad
posted on 27/8/14
comment by Stretty - VidalsBarnet (U3123)
posted 10 minutes ago
Welbeck, Hernandez, Smalling, Evans, Jones, Cleverley, Anderson, Rafael.
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Only one good enough is rafa for a starting birth, and he gets injured too much.
Smalling and evans squad.
The rest need to go, not even remotely good enough for this club in any shape or form.
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You're living in cloud cuckoo land if you think Evans is a better defender than Jones and Jones is still only 22. Evans is 26
posted on 27/8/14
I have had my reservations with the signing of Mata from the beginning, he's not what we needed at all. I have much admiration for him and hes a wonderfully gifted player.
We will never truly see the best of Mata here, not any time soon anyway because of our defence and midfield, they can't really be trusted and keep dropping off and when that happens Mata can't get the service he needs and the lad isn't blessed with pace is he? United used to thrive on quick plays and transitions, high tempo game.
Mata wasn't what we needed and to a certain extent Rooney is a little problematic, i'd rather he plays up top, but he is not disciplined enough there (nowhere near compared to his 09/10 season). Rooney should play #9, but RvP is the better #9.
Big concern for me is Welbeck, i feel he is underrated. Technically very proficient, good in tight spaces, good with transitions, carries the ball forward, and links the play very well, and also adds speed to our game but one thing he adds is mobility.
United need to play how they used to, fast, high tempo, fluid football. I think Welbeck is key to that. I firmly believe the Rooney and RvP partnership has barely shown any signs of being a 'real partnership', they just don't click like that.
It's no surprise to me - in Fergie's final year - the better performances featuring both RvP and Rooney also included Welbeck. His play and mobility allows spaces for others, he just fits our way of playing much better than Mata, much more flexible.
I really would like to see United play a fluid attacking game again. For me, Januzaj and Welbeck could have big futures ahead of them, they just need to be trusted to be given a chance.
posted on 27/8/14
When everyone is fit. Clevs wouldn't make the bench
Well fletcher and Ando would then?
Doesn't change the fact that out back up players are crap.
Look at each position and look at their replacement for injury or a substitution to change a game. We have nobody who can do that.
posted on 27/8/14
comment by Busbybabes (U9083)
posted 4 minutes ago
When everyone is fit. Clevs wouldn't make the bench
Well fletcher and Ando would then?
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Certainly not both of them. I did say Carrick
Short term, one more CM who is top class will suffice,
BB
We can;t go out and spend 300 million in one window, particularly if, as it seem, we are unable to offload the players we need replacing.
We can only have 6 outfield players on the bench, and when 4 of them are Carrick, Smalling, Januzaj and Mata, it's not a million miles away from where it needs to be
posted on 27/8/14
comment by #IwantToWinTheEuroMillions (U10012)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 15 minutes ago
Its easily arguable that Di Maria is the only attacking player we've brought where we've actually needed one in the past 3 seasons.
RVP,Mata,Fellaini,Kagawa ,were they needed?
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Arguably you could extend that timeline back to Berbatov.
Kagawa AND RVP didn't seem very joined up squad building at least.
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RVP won you the league two years ago. Without him, that wouldn't have happened so you can argue that he was needed.
Still don't understand what was/is the issue with Kagawa. He was so good and creative for Dortmund. Maybe you guys should have dropped Cleverly earlier
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Kagawa and Cleverley play in different positions. If you think Tom Ckeverley was keeping Kagawa out of the United side last season, you can't watch us much
posted on 27/8/14
You're living in cloud cuckoo land if you think Evans is a better defender than Jones and Jones is still only 22. Evans is 26
Jones is trash, i dont particually care thatr you keep lying to yourself and denying this Hes a shocking excuse of a player and needs to go.