Time for Smalling to come back?

comment by Genius_AppleCart_Space_Dude_Featuring_Zorak (U19099)
posted 8 minutes ago
We'll probably see a Smalling and Bailly partnership in midweek.
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Bailly looked dead on his feet at the end... I'd rather he had the night off

Well Smalling will definitely play.The guy needs games,as with most the players that will feature in that game.

Like to see Mensah,Depay and Martial start uptop.

Blind stabbed Mourinho in the back.

Yeah I'm sure Jose will give a few other players a game. But also needs to keep a bit of match fitness there, maybe 5 or 6 players coming in and if the results going ok bring on 2 or 3 other players who haven't really played yet.

I'd change pretty much everyone tbh

Ddg

TFM.... Smalling... Jones... Rojo/Darmian

Morgan... Herrera

MHKI.... Mata.... Depay

Martial

I'd play:

De Gea
Mensah Smalling Rojo Shaw
Carrick Herrera
Mkhitaryan Pogba Mata
Ibrahimovic

I dunno, Feyenoord away isn't going to be a stroll in the park. That side simply won't be match fit to deal with the level of play Feyenoord will be able to play at.

I'd like to see us now push Blind into midfield with Pogba and Herrera ahead of him.

Obviously this requires ditching Rooney, so won't happen, but it would give us the right balance of everything in the middle - passing, composure, energy, power and technique.

At the back end of last season (probably the last 5 games) Smalling was utterly knackered. He was well over due a rest. Unfortunately he got roped into going to the euros with some deadbeats.

At club level he had carried a weak defensive unit virtually single-handed all season. No proper left or right back - except on the odd occasion that Darmian played.

Rojo was average at best, crap much of the time. Blind is an okay midfielder, but average CB. Plus, whoever is currently in defense has to keep extraordinarily concentrated, because they have a weak 'keeper behind them. Bailly may be okay for the future, but MUFC are at their collective best when Smalling and Jones are both fit and playing consistently together.

That, plus keeping Luke Shaw fit and (hopefully) Darmian on the right, would mean that at least there is the beginnings of a stable and strong back four. So essential in league campaigns.

I don't really believe United have a cat in hells chance of being title challengers this season. You don't win league titles without: a solid back four; a weak keeper; no left winger, and; only one (very old) striker.

Never going to happen.

That being said United need to develop a genuine sense of direction. Keep the good stuff, sack the crap (Lingard and Herrera spring to mind). Develop Mkhit, Pogba, Mata and the rest into winners. And buy some EPL experienced (or style) centre forwards. Zlatan is a great asset but he is only likely to be a one season player (at best).

It is going to be a long and painful season without some real positive and progressively thoughtful direction being adopted by the club.

comment by Shugs (U14253)
posted 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
I'd change pretty much everyone tbh

Ddg

TFM.... Smalling... Jones... Rojo/Darmian

Morgan... Herrera

MHKI.... Mata.... Depay

Martial
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Missed out Rooney.