18 Feb 2018 05:34:34
There were some great debates yesterday, mainly about Pogba, but I highlighted GDS’s comments that the players are good enough, they just need to show it. Ken also made a point about Pogba being singled out when others perhaps are not. So, here’s my view of a few of our players, and I know some of you will disagree.

Shaw. Huge potential and talent, still very young. Struggled with the move to a big club and by all accounts has not always applied himself. However, seems up for it and has worked hard. No idea why Jose praised him and then immediately dropped him, seems like very crappy man management to me. I think he should be first choice and given a long run. I am confident he will prove his worth and cement the LB spot.

Valencia. Hugely committed, made of granite, never moans, turns up and does his job. Having said that I just don’t see him as a good RB. He gets caught out of position at the back and his crossing, which used to be good, is now pretty hopeless. Love the guy but a, happy for him to be upgraded.

Smalling. Not for me. Looks like a new born lamb, can get bullied, panics on the ball.

Martial. The kid has huge talent but I don’t get the love. He scores great goals but he drifts in and out of games. I find him very frustrating as he looks like he could be the new Henry but he just doesn’t do it consistently. When I hear people talking about how brilliant he is I sit there scratching my head; he could be, but he rarely is? He’s still very young but I’m not sure Jose’s man management will necessarily get the best out of him. Talented as he is, he looks miserable as sin, like he has the world on his shoulders, and I wish he would lighten up.

Lukaku. Wasn’t convinced and still feel that way. Will score goals if he gets service but I don’t think he is at the top level. neither was Andy Cole and he was brilliant fo pr us so maybe Rom can be that player. He has had very little service and must be getting frustrated, if he were to get 3 or 4 chances a game then I suspect he would be u there at the top of the goal scorers charts. His work rate is great, his touch looks to be improving, I’m kind of sat on the fence. I like him, just need to see if he can deliver consistently and particularly in the big games when we need him most.

Rashford. He burst onto the scene when many of us had never heard of him, a meteoric rise from debut to full England international. For whatever reason his form has dropped off this year and I worry about his development. I see a lot of similarities with him and Martial, some favour Martial, some favour Rashford, but both are in similar positions. Hugely talented, inconsistent, and I am guessing both are yet to convince Jose.

Pogba (just to be clear) . Hugely talented, fantastic athlete. He’s played ok in most games and had a couple where he looked great. However, he’s not the player we want him to / think he can be. And he’s not 19, or 21 any more. Shaw, Rash, Martial are still kids really. Pogba has been around the block and should be considered fully developed, he needs to show he can do it consistently. Forget formation, giving the ball away near your own goal is basic stuff. Potentially great player, needs to get his finger out.

I’m all for buying world class players but we have some great talent that is not playing to its potential. Imagine Martial, Lukaku, and Rashford playing to the top of their game up front with Pogba and Sanchez calling the shots behind them. They would scare the pants of the opposition, but sadly we have yet to see a total team performance. The demand for success means players don’t get a run unless they play well. The constant chopping and changing of Marshall and Rashford earlier in the season can’t have helped either of them.

Some will argue, but we have some very talented players who are just not delivering. That could do be their age, personal issues, formation, or Jose’s approach. I worry that Jose will just keep buying players, his approach seems to be pretty blunt in trying to motivate his players, not sure that works for youngsters who need a bit more understanding.

1.) 18 Feb 2018
18 Feb 2018 09:53:20
I think it's in martials locker to have off days and look lazy but the lad has ability to do things others can't he can look really dangerous sometimes, he's fast and skillfully and we have never seen him play twenty odd games up front in a row to know how prolific he could be . He's played mainly left hand side and he has chipped in with goals and assists, I'm not sure the constant rotation helps him, people may say well he has a bad game then he deserves it, will that apply to say Sanchez. i'd rather have players u know have the level needed but are inexperienced so sometimes don't show it than a player who tries hard but just hasn't got the ability. If Sanchez is to play left and lukaku central then martial and rashford are going to have problems subs or the position nobody can make their own on the right . At the end of the day the players need to find the consistency themselves and the manager to make the most of it.

2.) 18 Feb 2018
18 Feb 2018 10:17:06
Slate, I know many really rate Martial but he just frustrates the hell out of me. All that talent yet he drifts in and out of games, ken and I have had our differences but I think he and I agree on Martial. It’s odd as everyone has their favourites, I’m a huge Rashford fan yet Shan thinks he is massively overrated. It suggests that we have a lot of talent but as you have said, they need to show it and nail down a permanent place.

3.) 18 Feb 2018
18 Feb 2018 10:34:40
I totally get why martial can frustrate people I think his body language can make him look uninterested, but he does score goals, provide assists and have the ability to glide past players more than any other utd player . I'm all for rotating when a player is off form but I find Shaw, rash and martial will be rotated regardless of form or if previous performance was good, bad or indifferent . I think it's hard for rash and martial to show consistent form as they are rotated, subbed or moved position every game.

4.) 18 Feb 2018
18 Feb 2018 11:06:22
Totally agree ajh. He has magic in his feet and i don't think he is lazy as such just seems to have rocks for brains.
He does frustrate me.
But that's fans we all have our favourites and have players that we can't see what others do.

For me its obvious if we play 433 sanchez will play left lukaku centre and mata martial rash and jessie will fight it out for that last spot on the right.
Others think martial should start on the left. I suppose we will have to wait and see what jose does.

5.) 18 Feb 2018
18 Feb 2018 11:17:38
Yeah I'm in the martial left, lukaku centre and Sanchez right club ken, three man midfield with pogba the most advanced . We all see it slightly different I guess. I just thought the left didn't need fixing as much as the right . I do get tho Sanchez was good for arsenal from the left but needs must for me.

{Ed004's Note - I agree}

6.) 18 Feb 2018
18 Feb 2018 14:48:55
Martial lukaku Sanchez would be my go to front 3, doesn't really matter which side Sanchez plays he will roam any How.
Mata rash linders are there as well.