Why can't we just buy a DM as opposed to putting a square peg in a round hole again?

I'm with the OP; Definitely worth a run out, he may be a square peg in a round hole at the moment, and may well be in the right hole as a DM;
Pardon my rudeness.

comment by vidicthelegend VIVA LA REVOLUTION (U8735)
posted 3 minutes ago
Why can't we just buy a DM as opposed to putting a square peg in a round hole again?
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Not sure if you read the article but I said this could be used if no new signings come in. We need a solution if that happens.

You're underestimating the amount of tactical nous required to excel at the defensive midfield role. It seems like any CB with a decent pass on him gets labelled a potential defensive mid these days.

I remember people said the same for Rio and he was horrendous there. I'd much rather we stick with Matic for now and spend a decent sum on a specialist CDM or box to box CM in the summer.

comment by Bailly_Lindelof_ (U16290)
posted 1 minute ago
You're underestimating the amount of tactical nous required to excel at the defensive midfield role. It seems like any CB with a decent pass on him gets labelled a potential defensive mid these days.

I remember people said the same for Rio and he was horrendous there. I'd much rather we stick with Matic for now and spend a decent sum on a specialist CDM or box to box CM in the summer.
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I’m not underestimating anything, just saying it’s worth a try. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t, but solutions need to be tested even if it’s not the one above. We have a real vulnerability at the back when we have players forward.

I don't think Lindelof can play that role.

I also thought he looked out of his depth today 2nd half along with Jones who was worse. Lindelof left Alderweireld at the corner where he should have scored and Ali n Jane both gave him twisted blood and got in for chances too.

Lindelof isn't good enough for us. Neither is Jones.

-----------------DDG---------------
Dalot--Lindelof--Bailly/new CB--Shaw
---------Herrera--SAVIC-------------
----------------Pogba------------------
--Sanchez---Rashford---Martial--

Add some Ole motivation and synergy and I think we could challenge City and Liverpool as soon as next season

Off topic but interesting....

"They have got the counter-attack back," said Neville. The statistics reveal the truth of that statement. Opta define a fast break as an attempt created when a team turns defence into attack after winning the ball in their own half. United had three such breaks in the first 45 minutes alone - as many as in their 17 full matches under Mourinho this season.

Indeed, no team in the Premier League had fewer counter-attacks than Mourinho's United. They were joint last alongside Cardiff and Huddersfield with just three. Solskjaer's United have had seven in the past two matches. No team has had as many since he took over. They have gone from the worst counter-attacking side in the Premier League to the best.“

amazing how the links to SMS just stopped

I’m not underestimating anything, just saying it’s worth a try. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t, but solutions need to be tested even if it’s not the one above. We have a real vulnerability at the back when we have players forward.
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Pretty sure all sorts of things are tested out in training and practice games. But can you imagine the message it'd send out to Fred, Perreira and McT if Lindelof plays in CM over them? The same message that was sent out to Pogba all those years ago

Bailly cannot be relied upon. Leave Lindelof at the back.

amazing how the links to SMS just stopped
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Pretty sure he was being touted as a potential replacement for Pogba, who I believe Jose would've asked to be sold had he made it to the summer.

Now that Pogba seems happy again, plus the fact Savic is having a pretty poor season, seems foolish to spend 100m on someone who is labelled the 'Serbian Pogba'

comment by Bailly_Lindelof_ (U16290)
posted 2 minutes ago
I’m not underestimating anything, just saying it’s worth a try. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t, but solutions need to be tested even if it’s not the one above. We have a real vulnerability at the back when we have players forward.
_______________

Pretty sure all sorts of things are tested out in training and practice games. But can you imagine the message it'd send out to Fred, Perreira and McT if Lindelof plays in CM over them? The same message that was sent out to Pogba all those years ago
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Ok that’s good mate, didn’t think of that.

Good point*

Nope.

Matic is a careful, experienced, tactically-savvy and dependable specialist DM, currently performing well.

Why throw in a player who doesn't have experience in the role, and is steadily improving in his own position?

When Smalling is ready, we should be back to a Smalling-Lindelof partnership.

Baily for me is a more dominant although rash cb, Baily just needs to play with a cooler head for me to trust him, but is he capable of this?

I trust smallings as a defender, but he is useless on the ball. I will prefer he wasn't useless on the ball but I feel the teams tactics can either expose or hid his weakness.

There are many aspect of lindeloffs game that do not feel me with confidence apart from his quality on the ball. I hope he develops into a top player I will be happy to see in the starting 11 against a top team but I honestly do not see how this can happen.

comment by rosso is facking happy (U17054)
posted 15 minutes ago
Nope.

Matic is a careful, experienced, tactically-savvy and dependable specialist DM, currently performing well.

Why throw in a player who doesn't have experience in the role, and is steadily improving in his own position?

When Smalling is ready, we should be back to a Smalling-Lindelof partnership.
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You have a point with most of what you said but I disgree with your opinion of Lindelof.

He is improving but only certain aspects of his game, he can be beaten in the air and with skill with some ease. Even Atsu didn’t have much trouble doing that away at Newcastle and Kane left him for dead today as well.

I must admit that he has improved considerably positionally, he’s a neat and tidy passer and his tackles and interceptions seem cleaner and more precise.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

If Ole stays,where will Fred stand? I think Ole would want to to keep Herrera, and Ole seems to like him in terms of starting regularly. Is there a place for Fred in the squad considering he cost 50m?

comment by United we win (U19958)
posted 1 minute ago
Being 24 Lindelof will improve
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I am sure he will but cb is one postion I don't think you improve in technically. Cbs tend to improve more tactically and mentally imo.

My concern is that his base tecnical defensive ability is subpar. Pace, Tackling, marking, heading, strength are subpar imo.

We need an experienced leader at the back who is top top defender. That's holding us back. I'd buy Toby in the summer. Bailly and Lindelof do have time to develop and would be a decent partner and learn from Toby. But we need to sell some CBs too. Rojo needs to go. Then Jones or Smalling.

Smalling is the best defender, but like John Terry (who was a top defender), he may not work in the new set up. If he can't improve on that, he may be the one to go before Jones.

I'll be happier when Smalling is back in defence. Lindelof has done a good job. Playing him and Jones together is an accident waiting to happen.

Think we also need to invest in a Left Back. Shaw is not up to scratch

We'll probably have to get a whole new back line in

I was saying to my son mid way thru the second half that we were really missing Smalling. He might not be the most skillful defender but he sticks to forwards like glue and gives them a something to think about.

We can spend £500k a week on Sanchez wages but cant buyer a mobile defensive midfielder? or a decent right winger. or an attacking left back?