Bruno Fernandes

I think in modern days we are way too quick to call someone a great player or world class etc...for me you have to be consistently at the top of the game for a number of years to get to this level not just a few months or even a season or two. I’d say that the Liverpool contingent (VVD, Salah, Mane) are now at that level and the likes or KDB and Aguero at City. IMO United have no players at this time who come close to that bracket. Fernandes is one of the best on current form but needs to do it consistently for another couple of seasons to reach the levels of those listed above.

comment by We're Italians, Robert, Whack means something else to us (U3979)
posted 2 hours, 8 minutes ago
comment by Paddy's Pub - Home of the original Kitten Mittons (U17162)
posted 14 minutes ago
comment by We're Italians, Robert, Whack means something else to us (U3979)
posted 46 seconds ago
comment by Matth_2015 (U20438)
posted 48 minutes ago
comment by We're Italians, Robert, Whack means something else to us (U3979)
posted 6 minutes ago
Best player in the league

He's good but there are a few better.
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Name them.
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KDB, Salah, Mane, Aguero, Kane, Son...
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Who do you disagree with?

If Thiago comes back from injury to the same standard he was at Bayern then he goes into that list too.
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So you’re DRUNK drunk.

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
Playing a bit better from the start of games would help of course!

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I think we're going to need to at some point because we can't expect to keep getting results coming from behind at the rate we are. I just don't think it's sustainable.
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It isn’t sustainable winning game after game if you concede one or two goals, whether they come at the start or the end of the game.

We need to tighten up at the back more, and I think the real improvements to be made there are in defending as a unit (where the midfield and particularly wide players can improve) and from wide positions.

The CBs have both been very good the last few weeks. Win or lose, the pair has been one of the real positives in recent games.

comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
What à pass from Mata for the last.
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If that was De Bruyne MOTD would have dedicated a 10 minute slot to him alone

It isn’t sustainable winning game after game if you concede one or two goals, whether they come at the start or the end of the game.

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With the attackers we have, we can afford to concede chances and goals if we actually take control and get in front in the earlier part of games however going behind so often as we're doing just gives us more to do.

I don't know why we find it so hard to play well in the first half of games. With the odd exception here and there it's been this way for years. It's baffling.

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 8 minutes ago
It isn’t sustainable winning game after game if you concede one or two goals, whether they come at the start or the end of the game.

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With the attackers we have, we can afford to concede chances and goals if we actually take control and get in front in the earlier part of games however going behind so often as we're doing just gives us more to do.

I don't know why we find it so hard to play well in the first half of games. With the odd exception here and there it's been this way for years. It's baffling.
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Part of it is intent, I’m sure. The players aren’t getting instructions to come flying out of the blocks, for sure.

I’d guess the message is often to get ahold of the ball, work it and work the opposition, be patient, wait for the space and the right runs, etc.

They aren’t being told to get in faces, force the ball up the pitch, and dominate territorially, that’s for sure.

Part of it is intent, I’m sure. The players aren’t getting instructions to come flying out of the blocks, for sure.

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Which is a big problem given we know this team need to be on the front foot and playing direct and with tempo to get results. This team haven't really shown they can play any other way.

Getting control of the ball, retaining it, showing patience and taking the sting out of games while still offering a threat isn't something this team is capable of to any real extent.

Not sure if he is "the best" player but I would say he is in the conversation. Think United's biggest issue is consistency and that starts with team selections, best players being swapped out or only getting so long to perform. For instance, Cavani off the bench against Southampton and then subbed off at half time, he can't get any consistency into his game.

But Bruno looks to be one hell of a player. Would imagine he will be on his way though if United can't improve and finish much closer to the top teams, although I imagine they could do this time, look closer than ever before really.

I'm surprised that Son doesn't get put in these top players categories. On balance I think he's a more important player than Kane for Spurs.

It's great he's in the pot for such discussions, but United's greatest strength lie in the fluidity, shape balance and dynamism of the whole team. Not in individual 'greatests' etc.

Pogba, Fernandes, Maguire, DvdB, Fred, Matic all add to that. Even Cavani and Mata - despite their ages - will lift the teams performances. But that's where it ends.

United need five more players at that level before they can be achieve long-term serious, consistent and competitive success.

And that is easier to achieve than many suggest.