Manchester United Banter Archive September 14 2014

 

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14 Sep 2014 22:45:19
As exciting as it was to see United score 4 goals at OT, and win handsomely and with style, the joy needs to be tempered by the knowledge that we beat a very poor team today. Having gone one up we almost conceded a goal through a defensive lapse, which I put down to de Gea who needs to work on his speed and decisiveness off his goal line. Had that gone in, how would we have reacted? Would we have allowed the deflation to affect the rest of the match? I'd like to think not. Ultimately we won emphatically but on the rare occasions we were put under pressure there was a strong hint of wobbliness, with alarming spaces opening up on the edge of the penalty area.

Putting the negative aside, there were a lot of pluses. We actually created chances and could/should have scored 3 or 4 more. Blind and di Maria both looked great. There was much more fluidity and movement allowing Mata and Herrera to get into good scoring positions. We looked dangerous from outside the penalty area with Blind being prepared to let it rip. That threat keeps defences honest. Januzaj unfortunately continued in the vein of his last appearance, wasting his good work by choosing to take impossible shots rather than pass. Whilst I remain confident we will progress as players get used to playing with each other and to the system, we should be aware that QPR might well have been the very worst of opponents we will face all year. Why Rio decided to go and play for them I don't know. It's going to be a long year for him.

Finally, I don't think we should take this match as marking the end of the 3-5-2 experiment. LVG will change formations depending on who we're playing and who we have available. It's going to be interesting to see how often Shaw and Januzaj get games. Young and Valencia must surely see their roles being reduced to squad fillers. Evans may well lose his place to Jones.

While being realistic about today's result, one can see it beginning to take shape with a depth of talent in some areas that should stand us in good stead.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

14 Sep 2014 23:24:40
Considering our poor start to the season and low confidence I think that was a great performance and result today and gives us something to build on.
We had arguably our 4th and 5th choice centre backs, 2 full backs making their first appearances of the season and a new look midfield in front of them. Yes the odd lapse but we will get better.
Also our best defender and player of the season up to now out injured. Sorry but I can't see any negatives from today.

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14 Sep 2014 21:13:01
Now that's more like it. How enjoyable was that. Di Maria is the star but Blind is the player we have been missing. Breaks the play up, shields the back 4 and rarely gives the ball away. Also very impressed with Herrera today, so much energy and a class little player. Once our forwards hit form we will be some force.
I'm sure I'm not the only one who is buzzing tonight!

Believable9 Unbelievable5

14 Sep 2014 21:00:41
Went to the game today and I must say thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, Di Maria will get the headlines but for me Blind was very assured today, if there was a tackle to be made he was there, if the attack needed support he obliged.

Rojo looked very impressive and falcao's off the ball runs are amazing!

All in all a very classy performance.

Believable5 Unbelievable5

Not sure who is disagreeing with this it is all obviously true. Do some think Di Maria wasn't good or Blind assured? Strange

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15 Sep 2014 15:56:19
Scousers and gooners mate lol

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14 Sep 2014 20:20:29
Banter please ed,
I thought all our new signings have shown today glimpses of what we can expect. I thought Blind was excellent and Di Maria will get even better given time to settle in. How good was is it to see our midfield actually pressure QPR in their half, taking the pressure off our defence. Thought Rojo had played for us for years his combination with Di Maria down the left was very good. Overall very good with plenty more to come, bring on Leicester

Believable6 Unbelievable0

The new players were excellent; but I would like to mention Rooney and Blackett, who, IMO, were both excellent.

Great things to come.

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Actually rooney was average even though he scored a goal but gave away the ball quite a few times trying to make hollywood passes and also mad a few bad passes due to poor control.

The new boys is what was impressive in terms of performance and Rafael was very good down the right.

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I thought rooney played well as did raf and rojo.
Mata had a decent game i was surprised he got subbed i would of taken rvp off . I wonder if that's a sign of things to come .
Di maria was MOM but i think herrera was the biggest positive .

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Jred

Herrera and Blind for me were very good and Dimaria is just too good for most players in this league. RM are stupid to have sold him to us but not complaining.

You know I have rated herrera for donkey's years and give him Koke or pogba as a partner he would be unbelievable IMO.

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14 Sep 2014 19:58:40
As outstanding as DiMaria was today I thought Rojo and Blind were exceptional the simple things have looked beyond our reach for ages but for me today Blind looked perfect, exactly what we needed also does anyone else think that the new lads looked like they have been at the club for years? DiMaria looked like he came from the youth set up ! It's going to be a great exciting season folks :)

Believable8 Unbelievable0

Blind was excellent solid like Schoels just better defensively and not as wide a passing range but one defensive and a box to box midfielder look stable creativity will come

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I agree dean, I thought. blind was quality, a realm plus. Di Maria will be the "star" but we need players like Blind to glue it all together

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Without that "glue" AJH all the superstars on earth won't make it happen. And it seems that yourself and a few others on here get that.
I am genuinely happy today it's early doors against an average side but we could possibly have witnessed the start of something today.

Glory, Glory:)

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Agreed but Herrera deserves a mention also

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Blind did things efficently and simple had a very good game, but i thought blackett played very well and seems to be growing in confidence with evey game.

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I just think it makes a nice change to be on here with so many positives to look at . A very good performance and much needed.:)

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14 Sep 2014 19:30:05
Everyone ranting and raving about this player and that - but I think the most important element of our game today was the formation. Playing 5 at the back just hasn't been working for us (the only time we've looked half decent this season before today was the second half of the opener when we switched to 4-4-2). With any luck LVG will stick with playing 4-4-2 in the future.

It was great to see Rafael back (he's infinitely better than Valencia, IMO) and Di Maria was fantastic. Evans was a little worrying again - but I think when we have a fully fit squad our first choice back four will be Rafael, Jones, Rojo and Shaw - so that's not a long term issue. I still think we're lacking decisiveness and creativity in the final third - but that will come with time. Fair play to Mata too - as I think most pundits had him down as being surplus to requirements after we signed Falcao.

It would have been nice to see Falcao get a goal and was interesting to see him dropping so deep to get on the ball in the twenty five minutes he was on the pitch. I think he'll be a fantastic signing and expect him to score plenty of goals this season.

Roll on Leicester. Hopefully we can get another convincing victory and ride the momentum into the West Ham and Everton Games.

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Red, I'm not entirely Sue what formation we were playing. Ok, 4 at the back but as for the rest? Mata was often furthest forward, Blind seemed comfortable going up and down, it seemed really fluid. Much more pace and urgency and pressing much higher up the pitch.

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Couldn't agree more R7. So much better on the ball today, Rooney coming deep didn't matter and actually created space for our pacier players to move into, it worked well.

Evans looked lost, his passes were a yard short almost every time, Blackett looked very composed, Rojo & Rafael were exactly what we were missing and Herrera added the BBM aspect we needed.

Only disappointments on a good showing were RVP & Evans.

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AJH - If I had to give the formation a name it would have been a 4-4-2 diamond or a 4-1-2-1-2. I agree that ultimately it's inconsequential. What does matter, I think, is that we stick with playing 4 at the back.

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It was really good to see Raphael back actually.

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It was very similar to england the other week with the 2 strikers splitting and the acm, mata/sterling making it a 3 up top.
It worked for england it worked for us, very fluid

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14 Sep 2014 19:27:20
Good evening Guys

That was more like it.I think that answers the question whether it should be a back 3 or 4.I thought we looked much more balanced and stable which helped us when attacking.Now I realise it was only QPR but we have to start somewhere.I'm not saying we will win the league but I think we made a few people sit up and take notice.I was very impressed with our attacking players but I agree with other posts that Daley Blind was excellent just what we need.

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I wouldn't mind Blind dropping back between the two CB's when we're in possession to allow the fullbacks to get forward - but definitely think we look a lot better defensively with a back four.

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14 Sep 2014 19:22:01
I know ADM got MOTM and that's fair enough considering the assist, goal and general excellence. Personally though I feel Blind was equally deserving of it, coming into a new team making his debut at OT, he wasn't fazed and didn't put a single foot wrong playing a very important role. Can't remember him giving the ball away once and he controlled the tempo of our play from the back in a very similar fashion to Scholes.

Great win, looking forward to the next game!

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He looks like a cool dude and has took the move in his stride. He looked a good player today

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I seen a stat that he had 110 or so passes and only gave possession away 5 or 6 times, very impressive.

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14 Sep 2014 18:54:02
I couldn't get to the game today given where I am but watched every minute

I hope everyone could see the step forward, passing quick possession football where we kept the ball better than I have seen for some time. It isn't the finished product yet, we still need to be more decisive in possession but that for me was the start of the season. Watch for Falcao there is so much more to come. RVP and Mata should feel the pressure of Falcao and Rooney did seem to step up today. Well done Tyler Blackett, a young youth product who looks assured

Finally DiMaria got the MOM but actually the most important player today was Daley Blind, he tied it all together.

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Agree with you Red Man.

I hope LvG persists with Blackett, he deserves to start (made just 1 mistake today).

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14 Sep 2014 19:24:10
Yep agree with you there Red Man, Di Maria dazzled but IMO Daley Blind was the best player for me.

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Daley Blind was exceptional for me today, my mom ADM, Herrera good games too but I think Blind could well be our most important signing til we can get in the defenders we need. Composed on the ball and great work ethic told some friends he reminds me of a muffled field Version of Dennis Irwin unsung hero. This should keep us in touch of top 4 til jan the 1 class CB and another energetic controlling CM Pogba would be a dream then this squad will compete with city and Chelsea. Think mata did well after that game think RVP will be the one to make way for Falcao he still doesn't look sharp to me.

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14 Sep 2014 20:18:15
I have to hold my hands up, I was one of the people who was not sure about the signing of blind, but i was totally wrong. He and Herrera were great today. Blind kept it simple and it was perfection.

I still worry that without angel di Maria it's too slow. Thanks Louis and ed you put a simle on my face today.

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Posted similar further up the page redman, blackett had a good game and seems to be growing in confidence every game

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14 Sep 2014 18:43:46
Delighted with the result, think that was the first time we played with confidence in quite some time! The difference having a back four made was plain to see, delighted to see Rafael back and on form, i think he'll fit in very well under van Gaal.

For me today Blind and Herrera were fantastic, obviously Di Maria stole the show but the quiet professionals in that midfield really kept us ticking. Will be very interesting to see how Blind handles the likes of Toure, Hazard, Silva etc. His read of the game is quite something and it's how he makes up for not being the strongest holding midfielder in the world.

Van Gaal was using a game by game focus with Holland in the world cup and I think that's what is important for us now. Us, as fans, have a tendency to group games together and label them with a points tally. We should be looking at each game individually (a luxury we can afford without any CL), and I'm pretty sure that's what van Gaal will be doing too, especially considering the depth we have.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

For me Jones and Rojo will be the defensive partnership like a young Ferdinand Vidic combination Shaw left back and Rafael right back is solid going forward but odd defensive mistake Coleman is considered one of the best in the league but is suspect defensively on occasion

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14 Sep 2014 18:39:47
Di Maria! What a player we have with us! Mouthwatering attack at our disposal. Hoping Van Gaal trains our defenders and mould them to be a force. Its then a dream team in the making.

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14 Sep 2014 18:39:00
Ok so I am starting the petition for no midfield to change his name. We most certainly now have a midfield capable of challenging.

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Sh1t hot midfield?

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Seconded.

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It was like a breath of fresh air. Midfielders tackling, passing, creating.
Any name you want, i will oblige.
NoCleverley.

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15 Sep 2014 00:19:42
NoMoaning?

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Haha, I've not moaned in ages!
Though, I would like Evans to start passing the ball to our players! Also, would love to see Valencia take on the full back, beat him and cross with intent! But I'm being picky.
What I loved about the midfield is the closing down high up and passing with speed. We've not done that in years.

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14 Sep 2014 18:25:30
The ball from Di Maria to RVP, pure class!

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14 Sep 2014 20:49:42
I cheered that pass as if it were a goal. If the move ended in a goal I would have needed a clean pair of underwear for sure.

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14 Sep 2014 18:24:16
Zola on Bein sports saying he thinks we will contend for the title and should not be written off.

The regular pundits now have us finishing top four, last week they had us missing top 4. How fickle the pundits and media can be LOL

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14 Sep 2014 18:35:33
Fickle or just honest, before the signings we made we were not good enough for top 4, now I think we might be good enough for top 3.

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Top two GDS2 no maybe well we will see soon

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A big relief today but let's not get carried away let's see how we do when we play the big guns, then we can dream of top 4, s or better.

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Its all fickle. now liverpool are written off.

there are 5 very good sides in it

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14 Sep 2014 18:21:13
That was more like it! A lot of room for improvement still but that will come when the players have had more time together.

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14 Sep 2014 18:10:57
Question for everyone

Before today, When was the last game every single United midfielder either scored or forced a good save from the keeper?

I think we may just have a goal scoring midfield again and Rooney, RVP and Falcao in front let the goals begin.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

Not since scholsy days, have been moaning about the same thing forever, that is why guys like cleverly were weighting down this team. Come this summer i believe we will se a few more gone.

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14 Sep 2014 18:03:58
Boy did I enjoy that. Its a shame Shaw did not get a run out and Falcao did get a goal but everyone one else of the starting 11 played great.

My only main concern was Evan's passing which is just awful at the moment.

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14 Sep 2014 18:00:59
Well pretty much a dream result and good all around performance for the first time this season. QPR is by no means one of the tougher teams in the league but United thoroughly outplayed them from start to finish and never really looked liked losing.

Di Maria was the standout player and looked like making something happen each time he picked up the ball. The reverse pass to Rooney on Herrera's goal and the one to Van Persie in the second half were incredible. As Van Gaal put it during Di Maria's press conference: he accelerates our play.

Thought Herrera had a quality game as well. Quick and tidy with passing and did a good job pressuring players and winning the ball back. Blind did his work quietly all throughout the game and should prove to be a solid signing for us. Rojo looked bright playing LB and despite a couple misplaced passes looked pretty sharp. It was great to see Rafaeal back. If he can keep away from injury he should definitely nail down the RB/RWB position. Special mention to Blackett, another 90 mins under his belt and a very steady and assured performance from the youngster.

Also, who was that chap Falcao who came on towards the end? Couldn't hit a barn door, is he a reserve player or something?

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I really liked Blind performance, quietly went about his business on such a big stage and so smart in his decision making.

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14 Sep 2014 17:57:23
O man.its still 7 days to go before we do this again. cannot wait. already. that was more like it.

PS reAlly disappointed in januzaj though. too selfish. probably thinks himself ronaldo already.

Shan

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14 Sep 2014 18:37:14
You watched that match and what you wanted to say was that januzaj thinks he's ronaldo. Wow.

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Very selfish really, but I think with him on the bench at the moment, he wants to do everything, and maybe he thought scoring would help him win a starting place. However, if he showed better decision making he would have more chance of winning a place back.

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14 Sep 2014 19:14:27
More like after playing a lot last season to playing only as a sub out of position this season he feels he needs to prove himself. I worry that his progress could severely be disrupted this season.

Asking a young winger to come on and play as a central midfielder is asking a lot.

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14 Sep 2014 17:44:06
Seymour goals
I hope your faith in the team has been restored, you've seen more goals at least.
Quality all over the pitch today, I'm impressed.

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Yes Herbie I'm quite content with that performance and more so the goals. Just shows what buying a bit of quality does and in Di Maria we have the directness with an end product that Young hasn't. Would have liked Rojo next to Evans to help calm him down(still jittery) but a big shout has to go to Blackett. How far has that lad come? well done! Herrera was immense, Blind did very well organising the midfield triangle. Rafael looked like the old Rafael, causing havoc on the right. Mata in the box again for his 8th goal in 10. The front 2 for me especially Van Persie didn't do an awful lot. All in all we're getting the confidence back and on today's showing, we're looking a hell of a better than we did against Swansea & Sunderland

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As long as we play a back 4, we will be very tough for anyone including chelsea and city. we are still missing quite a few players and Falcao and RVP yet to hit peak fitness. I think we will score goals for fun and murder a few teams.

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14 Sep 2014 17:41:05
I have to say I prefer Mata in there with 2 of the 3 strikers on the pitch, we look like we are lacking a little creativity in and around where Mata was.

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14 Sep 2014 16:59:24
Im sure the new boys especially Di-Maria who have been excellent will get allot praise after the first half. Them aside, we looks miles better having Rafael back at right back.

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I agree. Rafa has been way way better than Valencia.


Hope he keeps his fitness.

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We look better with a lb a rb and 2 cbs

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Jred

I have been pleading for a back 4. Wait till shaw comes back then we would even be better.

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14 Sep 2014 19:16:07
Yeah imagine today if it were Rafa, Jones, Rojo instead of Blackett then Shaw as LB. Having said that Blackett didn't have a bad game, just Rojo is more experienced and more pacey.

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14 Sep 2014 16:52:48
So DDG making a mistake and Evans saving him.


Usually its the other way round.

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Actually evans mistakes end up being most costly like we lose goals

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14 Sep 2014 16:51:14
What a difference the injection of some pace makes. It ensures our class players get some space and if one or two are a bit off there are others carrying the weight.

Rafael has been quality. Evans a bit sloppy.

RVP very quiet, but it doesn't matter with the others on their game. This is more like it. QPR are already dead on their feet, could be 7 or 8 if we keep up the tempo after half time.

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14 Sep 2014 16:50:30
The first half has been so satisfying for me, I swear I even saw Gerrard slip somewhere in there

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14 Sep 2014 16:48:15
Well we look like a proper team with proper tactics and quality footballers

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Herrera Rafael ADM the top 3 performers for me.

Blind and Rojo have been good on debut.

Evans, Blackett haven't had much to do to be honest.

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For the first time all season we look like Manchester United, it could be 5-0 by now. . Got to say Blind and Herrera make one hell of a difference then Di Maria is just immense.

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14 Sep 2014 16:43:40
Why does the pitch look so bad today?

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14 Sep 2014 15:27:07
I think I would go for this team today, I wouldn't drop Mata as I think we need as many creative people in the team as possible at the minute as we seem to be lacking goals at the minute. Hopefully Shaw will be a big threat down the left whipping balls in and I hope Di Maria gets his free license to just run at the opposition as we all know that is his game.

http://www.manchesterunitedrumours.co.uk/formations/George711.php

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14 Sep 2014 15:06:46
Looks like the line up a lot of people wanted is happening. very happy we aren't playing 3 at the back!

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Mutv are saying it's 3 at the back, I thought 4 at the back when I saw the sheet tbf.

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Looks like 3-5-2 to me.

Blind likely wing back. Although he can change it instantly if nothing happens.

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Van Gaal said in a short pre match interview it's a 4 at the back!

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14 Sep 2014 12:07:00
Really excited about todays match, our season starts now. can't wait for the lineup I think it wil give us an idea of how we gna play this season I hope we play 4 at the back.

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Would love to see a flat back 4 but doubt it will happen. If we do it will be a hammering.

We need to create chances and have players advanced, Chelsea had 29 attempts against Swansea yesterday, I don't think we have amassed that all season with this formation.

Today will be fascinating and I can't wait.

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14 Sep 2014 11:32:36
Can I just ask where all the Mata hate has came from recently?! The whole team has been playing poor recently but ever since we've signed him and played him in the hole I think he's been our vest player. He has played in the hole 11 times and has scored 7 goals & assisted 2. Chelsea player of the year 2 years running as well don't forget. I also think he can only improve with players like Di Maria & Falcao in the side because with their pace and movement Mata will find it easier to find them. I really hope he continues to get a lot of game time as a 10 as I feel he is much better than Rooney in that position, if not then I feel we could continue to struggle.

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Because Cleverley has gone out on loan and Fellaini hasn't been playing. Everyone loves to have someone to complain about it seems and Mata is the most recent player. It'll blow over I'm sure

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14 Sep 2014 12:38:32
Mata is a great player, with the players we now have I believe we will see brilliant things from him. I put the side I would love to see today on the teams page. Mata is right in there behind Rooney and Falcao.

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It annoys me how people say that Mata has been poor since signing for us.

If you look at his stats, he's been involved in pretty much a goal per game.

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I don't think it would be fair to say that Mata has been either good or bad since signing for us. He has had his moments and been in the right place on more than one occasion - but conversely he has also has a tendency to go missing for spells during games.

Based on form and ability I'd say he deserves a place in the starting line-up; but unfortunately I don't see it happening with a fully fit squad.

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Mata has been missing a hell of a lot in virtually every game. Yes he has scored a few goals and has a few assists to his name, but his all round game hasn't been great, certainly not what you would expect for £37mil and keeping out players like Janujaz.

Obviously he is class, but he is very slow over the ground and he is not impacting games effectively - he has barely created a chance this season. I am hopeful this will change because the lack of movement around him has a lot to do with it. So he has been relatively poor since signing, but it is understandable.

Now we have class around him he should lift his own game and those around him rather than being a passenger. Stats are misleading.

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14 Sep 2014 06:26:10
Just curious, why do so many people treat the possibility of United signing Strootman in January as a foregone conclusion? He only moved to Roma last year and will just be recovering from a serious injury. I know Van Gaal is supposed to rate him highly but how do people seem so confident in his arrival?

For the record, assuming he's the same player after his injury, I think Strootman would be a good signing.

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I think he would be spoor signing personally and have never read him. Erickson is much better than him and he is still not good enough.

We need to think along the lines of koke, Pogba, Verrati to do justice to our front 5. Can't have world class players with a secondary midfield.

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14 Sep 2014 11:24:15
GCU, *Eriksen plays in a totally different role then Strootman, as Eriksen is a Mata kind of player.

And in a 4-3-3, Strootman would have been the stabilizer in the midfield trio. He's also a powerhouse, who are good as an box2box player. Neither of those you mentioned can do the same job as good as Strootman in the PL, as he is purely made for the league. I Think he's essential, and it's that kind of player we're going to need to get in to make it easier for our defence.

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14 Sep 2014 11:48:32
Well van Gaal rates him and given the players he's handed debuts to at three of the clubs he's managed I'll back his judgement.

The fact strootmans changed his agent to the same guy who handles van persie and van gaal says a lot.

Gazzetta are reporting we may have a rival in Madrid. If true that kinda shoots down shahrams theory of no bug clubs looking at him.

Final thought, van Gaal changed the Dutch system to a back 3 at the world cup in response to losing strootman. What system have we played so far seeing as we don't have strootman either?

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14 Sep 2014 13:14:01
I'd much prefer to wait and see if Vidal returns to form and shakes off his knee inury. He's older but he's twice the player of Strootman, he's exactly what we need. Think we're unbalancing the team with too many left footed players as well.

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We've been playing three at the back because we don't have quality wingers, and because LVG wants a system that accommodates two strikers. Seeing how we brought Falcoa in, I can't see us switching to a 4-3-3. I think a cb is a far bigger priority than a new cm, especially one just coming back from a major injury.

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Nox

You obviously need to watch a little bit more football as the 3 I mentioned are in different league and Strootman is not powerhouse as he is as slow as Fellaini.

Toure is a powerhouse so is Koke and Pogba. What verrati lacks in size he makes up for it with pace and tackles and good passing.

Erickson was also plays box to box in his ajax days.

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