Another good result today although at times the performance wasn't that great. I thought Liverpool looked shambolic which certainly helped us!! With players like Young, Valencia and even Fellaini having played a part in the recent run of wins, what is the consensus of opinion as regards our preferred starting 11 once everyone is fit?
Or perhaps more importantly, what formation will be utilised, which may well then dictate the starting 11?
My thoughts are that despite an ok game today, Valencia at RB is horrible. Young has done a job for the team at LB. Evans Makes me nervous whenever he has the ball. Fellaini insists on passing the ball to the opposition, and actually wins far fewer aerial battles than i thought he would.
For what it's worth, this would be my team :-
DDG
Rafael Smalling Rojo Shaw
Carrick
Herrera Blind
Mata ADM
Rooney
What are your thoughts?
First 11
posted on 14/12/14
Mata looks better when Herrera plays. RVPs improvement has helped mata too.
posted on 14/12/14
I meant this season Ripley.
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Then do try to speak in the present tense.
posted on 14/12/14
Last 4 games other than the Saints game Mata has played really well I thought. Especially along side Herrera.
posted on 14/12/14
Mata was good second half. No surprise as Herrera was on the pitch.
Di Maria influences play in a different way. Just because he can create chances doesn't mean he'll be any better than Mata as a number ten. Especially as it's an alien role to him.
In midfield with a diamond is the best way to use Di Maria, or on the wing. Mata, Herrera and Rooney are better fits for the number 10 position as they've performed well in that position.
posted on 14/12/14
And bar Di Maria's class games to start with Mata has had as many good games as he has and influenced the final third just as much.
Obviously he's not playing as good as he can but you seen intent on playing down his contribution just because he's not quick and doesn't run around loads.
posted on 14/12/14
I have been saying it all season but I don't think it's even number 10 the way we're setting up in 3-5-2. Mata hasn't been playing in number 10. He's been a lot deeper.
posted on 14/12/14
Not in every game.
To be honest I don't think it matters who we play there as long as we continuing playing the way we have because the forwards aren't receiving the ball high enough up the pitch.
posted on 14/12/14
The thing is though......when we play with two up top there is more onus on the 'number 10' to do his share of the defensive side of the game which Mata really struggles with.
Mata excelled at Chelsea as a number 10 behind Didier Drogba. It wasn't behind two strikers.
posted on 14/12/14
comment by Rock Steady ⚽™ Philosophy > Football (U9953)
posted 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
.........De Gea
Rafael.. Smalling..Rojo.. Shaw
.....Carrick
Herrera.. Di Maria
.......Mata
RvP ...Rooney
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^ This. When we are on the front foot anyway.
posted on 15/12/14
comment by Darren The King Fletcher (U10026)
posted 8 hours, 24 minutes ago
Di Maria isn't a number 10.
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I don't think Utd have had a true number 10 for decades (bar Veron, whose a short term in Utd surely didn't like). Both Mata and Di Maria can but not actually played #10 enough, and certainly not their best position, especially for ADM.
But it really depends on formation and manager, Ferguson's way didn't play with #10, he only worked on 2 wings, and needed some solid MF like Keane/Carrick, and only sometimes a #8 (Scholes).
LVG's tactics are quite different though (as for Holland, Barca, Bayern with some notable number 10). But he also caused some bad experience, like what he did to Riquelme at Barca.
I think Man Utd have a good squad currently, but the discussion could be about 2 best 11s, one against weak opponents (Swansea, Arsenal), and one against tough ones (Chelsea, City...)