Manchester United Banter Archive September 16 2018

16 Sep 2018 22:29:51
I see Fellaini getting some praise on here for his last two performances and rightly so. Another player who deserves some praise for Saturday is Chris Smalling. I'm not afraid to say I'm not his biggest fan, but in games against the more physical strikers, out of our current options he needs to be first choice. He's great attacking the ball in both boxes, he made some super interceptions.
Just like Fellaini, Smalling is definitley suited to certain opponents and deserves a place in our squad.
Lindelof also did much better on Saturday. Stood up well to the battle with Gray.

16 Sep 2018 23:33:07
Both smalling and lindelof deserve Credit. They have performed well over the last couple of games. Smalling especially.
I do think that the use of Fellaini by Jose has contributed to the increased level of performance by our cbs in that they are provided much more protection.
I would actually keep with this type of system over the next few games and obviously depending on the results maybe indefinitely.
Fellaini playing in the 3 with pogba and Matic has allowed our full backs to push on and get more involved as Fellaini sits between our cbs.
The system also gives pogba the time and space to be more offensively minded and Magic to play a little further forward than has been the case.
I'm mad to see dalot what Dalot will be like as our rb. I feel him and the much improved like Shaw could be very exciting.

17 Sep 2018 04:01:10
All hail the Wig, could be the best bit of business done this summer by jose in keeping him, now he has a specified role he looks different class, never going to be a flair player, doesn't need to be, the way he sits between the cbs and neutralized the danger was top banana, no nonsence like the shampoo and conditioner he uses! -just a side note, i like the way watford's doucoure went about the game, might be worth a chheky bid?

17 Sep 2018 16:50:29
Ok, it's time to stop being silly. Fellaini sitting in front of our two centre backs is the worst idea ever. Firstly, playing him there means Utd are already on the back foot because we are worrying about how the opposition are going to play, particularly a fear of long balls. Not only does this send out the wrong signal but it means we are moving away from what we should be doing which is going out to play the opposition off the pitch. Y'know, like City do.

Secondly, having Fellaini playing a defensive role on the edge of the box against a short passing team will cost us lots of fouls in dangerous positions i. e. on the edge of the box. Fellaini should be kept as far away as possible from our own penalty area.

17 Sep 2018 18:08:47
Hi mancman. I think you are quite clearly wrong with that post. Fellainis most recent performances point to the opposite.

Fellaini, for me personally, has never let united down to be honest. No matter where he has been played. Sure he has an odd mistake in him but i believe he along with Jose have worked very hard on that side of his game and have eradicated many of those silly fouls.

Also, Jose doesn't agree. That's why he manages united and we manage accounts on this forum :)

17 Sep 2018 20:20:10
That's high praise Angelred: "never let us down" and "has an odd mistake in him". I wish we had 11 players like that playing for Man Utd every week.

16 Sep 2018 17:30:01
Afternoon guys,

Delighted to get the three points yesterday in a tough fixture especially after the international break.

Fellaini playing just in front of the back 4 has proved a master stroke in the last two away games. He's played so deep he's virtually been a third centre back which has enabled our full backs to play further forward and provide some natural width. It's also allowed Lingard and Sanchez to play closer to Lukaku where we've looked more dangerous and created chances. Yesterday wasn't vintage by anyone's standards but we looked solid and started well. It's encouraging to know that when we take the lead we invariably win so it's vitally important we start well and try to score first.

Whilst Fellaini has proved a formidable weapon against the more physical and direct sides I think we all know this wouldn't necessarily work against teams that like to move the ball quickly where he can be easily out manoeuvred or against teams that like to press high where he's not good enough in possession. In these games maybe a slight tweak in his position is required. He needs to play higher up the pitch where we can use his height and physicality to play over the press and in a more advanced role he can arrive in the box where he becomes a real threat and handful for opposition defenders.

I think we've seen in recent games a commitment to move the ball quicker with Lukaku playing on the shoulder and making more penetrating runs in behind, stretching the opposition rather than operating more as a target man. This has allowed more space for the likes of Lingard, Sanchez and Pogba to operate. Another feature has been our fullbacks playing higher and providing more natural width. Shaw has been a breath of fresh air and with Dalot returning to fitness maybe just maybe we may finally have the fullbacks we've craved for some time. Two young naturally gifted direct fullbacks that can provide width, pace and put quality deliveries into the box.

We still need to improve and by no means am I getting carried away. Such has been the standard set by City two early defeats probably means a title challenge is unlikely even at this early stage. It's encouraging to see however we that we may finally be settling on a preferred formation and staring 11. In recent games the team has definitely played higher, Lukaku has made more penetrating runs with Lingard and Sanchez closer in support rather than being dragged back into full back positions.

Perhaps our two most maligned players Smalling and Fellaini have provided us with the stability and balance we've craved allowing other players the platform to play and improve.

I've definitely seen in the past two games and the first half against Spurs a slight tweak to the way we play. Lukaku has definitely made more forward runs with Sanchez and Lingard playing much higher in support. Perhaps the next evolution might just come from two young full backs full-filling their potential. Maybe for the first time since Jose arrived we can safely predict the formation and perhaps 9 or even 10 of our best 11. It's now up to the likes of Bailly, Fred, Dalot, Martial and Rashford to force their way into the side. Perhaps we can be cautiously optimistic about a more exciting brand of football at the very least. Maybe the influence of Carrick and Mckenna is slowly starting to take effect.

I think we all understand building a winning team takes time and patience. Not all signings will make an impact or hit the ground running. Perhaps Jose biggest mistake has been to settle on a preferred formation or style of play. Hopefully that's about to change with the assistance of two new young coaches brining new ideas to the table.

16 Sep 2018 20:00:18
It’s all a bit odd isn’t it? We played pretty well against Spurs and on another day would have been easy winners. What a difference that one result would have made to how we are feeling. We do seem to be coming out of our malaise and a few players are stepping up, in patches we look very good. We just need those patches to be longer.

16 Sep 2018 20:53:34
Tony, two good centre backs and another striker/ winger and this team will look completely different.

16 Sep 2018 21:24:07
1cb and a rb and rw for me AAA i'm really hoping dalot turns out to be a worldie🤞.

16 Sep 2018 22:27:17
I’m just liking that we seem to be playing with a little bit more of a clear plan going forward. Carrick and McKenna could be a blessing for Jose.

16 Sep 2018 23:34:46
Great post dlib. Agree with a lot if it.

16 Sep 2018 11:40:54
Just wondered if those who welcomed Fellaini's new contract in the summer with a heap of bile and vitriol against the man (there were a lot on here) had softened their stance somewhat given he has been MOM in our last 2 games contributing hugely in both boxes and giving our cbs much needed stability?

16 Sep 2018 12:05:46
Didnt give him any bile and vitriol, not sure many did but credit where credit is due, he's added some much needed solidity at a time when we looked to be falling to pieces.

But i have two issues with him playing the holding midfield role, firstly i hope he doesn't take his role too literally in that in striving to help out the defenders he drops too deep and doesn't do his primary job which is mark any players on the edge of the box for a cut back, grays goal was primarily caused from fellaini being too deep and not picking the free man on the edge of the box.

Secondly what happens with fellaini when we play a team that isn't as physical as watford and burnley. Will mourinho leave him out in favour of a player much more suited to that game such as fred or pereira.

16 Sep 2018 12:27:35
We shouldn't be playing in a style where Fellaini can be MOTM. I want to see Lukaku MOTM every week after banging in three goals a game because we are set up in a way which creates that many chances for him.

16 Sep 2018 14:11:26
DSG I reckon Fellaini is the type of player who will do whatever the manager asks of him and do it to a tee as well. He just seems that type of pro.

16 Sep 2018 14:22:21
Not being funny but below are some of the replies to a post I made defending Fellaini on here. I was defending him after some posters were pretty much spitting bile and hatred towards him.

'He is everything that is wrong with our club right now, if you are supportive then we have different ideals. '

'I just don't see what he has to offer. And he held the club to ransom over his contract. I would've told him to F off a long time ago. '


'The other point is that he's a midfielder who can't pass, can't tackle fairly, can't run fast enough, can't dribble, and can't manoeuvre and turn quickly. So what is the point of having him? Just so that we can throw him up front when plan A hasn't worked? Its so pathetic and uttetly predictable. United should be aiming higher than that.
We'll see what happens but I'll be back here 10 games into the season to guage his performances and your views.
Lastly, he seems to be injured 80% of the time, which is a blessing i suppose'

'
This summer should've saw the start of the final clear out. And Fellaini should've been the start. I don't care if he's a nice guy since when has that been a prerequisite of a title winning team. Keeping him on the off chance he can snatch a late goal is enough justification. And this farce is on Jose. '

'Sorry but if anyone think we should be chasing Fellaini to a new £100k pw contract I think you’ve lowered your standards and accepted mediocrity. He is a terrible footballer. Because he’s tall and can bring the ball down on his chest he’s worth a squad place and £100k a week? He’s got no quality on the ball and often gives away stupid free kicks around the box.

It just shows me where we are as a club to be honest. Did anyone see the likes of city, Chelsea, Bayern, PSG, Barca, Madrid sniffing round with his contract down'

16 Sep 2018 15:15:39
There's no denying that Fellaini played well. But you guys are making it sound like he's been a revelation or something. He's still susceptible to horrendous mistakes if the ball is at his feet and most teams play with ball on the ground. Do you guys think Chelsea, City and Liverpool will struggle badly at the likes of Watford because they don't have any players like fellaini?
We started struggling as soon as Watford stopped with the hoof ball and tried to pass around and being more direct against our team. People were complaining when Fellainis contract was extended because everyone wanted a different style of play. For the way we're playing now Fellaini is excellent but the whole point of the outrage at that time was that no one wanted to see us being a goal threat only from set pieces.

16 Sep 2018 17:25:56
One of those comments was mine and I stand by it. Renewing his contract was a mistake. His limitations as a player hold us back as seen in the second half when Watford changed tack.

16 Sep 2018 23:14:43
He is not as bad as many pple make out. Far from it He is no Messi but some of his touches and composure are of very high standard. He gets a virtually automatic place in the Belgian national team and they are a very good team. Maybe pple should cut him some slack. He always seems to try his hardest and does a job for the team. Team players like him and Nicky Butf are veery under appreciated yelt every title winning team has them.

16 Sep 2018 07:29:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 16th September 2018