23 Dec 2014 00:33:46
Back four discussion:

I think we all have been happy with how Young and Valencia have filled in this season so far. I think we have more pressing concerns right now than those two spots, with Rafael/Valencia at right back and Shaw/Young at left back, with even Rojo able to cover there.

At center back, Rojo has progressed decently enough so far. He is tough and able to pass.

Smalling can look awful on the ball at times, and make shocking decisions (Man City red), but he is the most naturally gifted defender, due to his quickness and size. He has the most potential of the current group if he matures.

Jones is tough as nails, but injury prone, and reckless. The more dangerous the opponent, the more nervous I am with him on the field. He lunges far too often in the penalty area.

Evans has the most technical ability on the ball, two-footed and able to dribble out of the back and pass. But his ability is negated by his lack of assurance on the ball, and more importantly, he does not dominate his man physically.

This group is a long way from the balanced partnership of Vidic's toughness with Rio's ability and leadership. And that reminds me of someone's recent point (was it Shappy?) that what we need most is a leader/organizer in the back. That raises the question of Carrick until we get healthy or someone new comes in.

Just my opinions here. But three questions come to mind:
1. Who is our best partnership currently if all are healthy?
2. Who among this group may be sold in the summer?
3. Who do you think we should bring in?

1.) 23 Dec 2014
23 Dec 2014 03:36:45
I am sorry but Rojo is able to pass?

His only was out is usually a 50 yard ball hoofed into the middle of nowhere.

2.) 23 Dec 2014
23 Dec 2014 04:08:49
obviously not seen his stats then MB.

3.) 23 Dec 2014
Rojo and Smalling for me. I would give Jonny and Jones until the end of the season if no improvement get rid and promote Paddy and Tyler.
Still think we need Hummels or Varane though or even better both.

4.) 23 Dec 2014
I'd bring in Vlaar as short term fix until long term investment in the summer.

Will add stability, a dominant voice and has pl experience. Was immense on Saturday and WC. Bit of Stam about him.

Then Otamendi summer: Hummels too slow.

5.) 23 Dec 2014
Get rid of Jones? smh

6.) 23 Dec 2014
23 Dec 2014 09:37:58
JK92 yep you are right I haven't seen his stats.
But I have seen all the games so far (except City game) and haven't found his passing to be very good.

7.) 23 Dec 2014
Smalling and rojo. Strange how Evans has went backwards 2-3 seasons ago he was pushing rio and vidic.

8.) 23 Dec 2014
Smalling and Rojo are our strongest pairing. And if we persist with a back 3 and get Hummels then Smalling to the right and Rojo to the left would be quite strong I think.

9.) 23 Dec 2014
23 Dec 2014 12:38:23
I'll go with everyone else and say rojo and smalling.

Jones remains an enigma, but I'll stick with what I said two years ago, I don't see his long term future at centre back if he remains at united.

Evans I think was mentally damaged by the nightmare of his game against the team formally known as Wimbledon. If he doesn't recover I can see him going.

As for ins.

Firstly I wouldn't have vlaar on a free. Short term stop gap i'd rather carry on as we are.

Hummels also never seems to impress me and I think he's vulnerable to pace and balls over the top. Which is most of the prem.

Dream world would be Varane. But schar, otamendi, veltman would be looked at as well.

10.) 23 Dec 2014
Personally, I will sell Smalling Evans and Jones as they are all injury prone. Evans is a mess at the moment, I disagree about his technical ability, he does not look assured. Smalling, plays well one game and rubbish the other, too inconsistent. Jones, he's one of the least intelligent players i've seen, he lunges into tackles, his positioning is awful.
Rojo has something about him and can pass and tackle. So we need to bring in a short term fix, Vlaar will be perfect, then I would like to go for Verane or Otimendi.

11.) 23 Dec 2014
23 Dec 2014 13:37:38
Nomid why would vlaar be perfect? You rightly say all of smalling, Evans, jones are injury prone then suggest a player whos almost as injury prone as them as a stop gap. I just think it wouldn't be worth it as he'd probably miss 4-6 weeks of what's left of the season.

12.) 23 Dec 2014
We need to start again with our CB's, the only one I would keep out of:
Jones
Evans
Smalling
Rojo
Is Rojo, the other 3 are unreliable.
Blackett

{Ed004's Note - It is a real shame that smalling can't keep fit}

13.) 23 Dec 2014
1st time poster here - I'd like to see us sign Sergio Ramos. Experienced, proven winner, goal scoring threat and good at managing the back line. Could also slot in at rightback if needed.

{Ed004's Note - There is no chance of this happening. Also I think he's a tad overrated. Still a top cb}

14.) 23 Dec 2014
It certainly is a shame Ed004, same as Jones.
Like a lot of others the main 2 I would like to see come in is Varane/Hummels, Varane been 1st choice for me.
I think Blackett has a bright future and next season he may be the 4th choice CB for us.

{Ed004's Note - I would be happy enough with Godin. Plays on the left side of the defence however is right footed so can cover both position. He is quite small for a cb and not the quickest so him partnering smalling would be ideal. He is a leader, brilliant defensively and good on the ball. Him and a rb in the summer and our defence would be sorted for years. But then again Smalling won't stay fit and we may need to cut our losses and go for 2 cb's}

15.) 23 Dec 2014
23 Dec 2014 15:40:19
Yep, Ed, Godin looks decent. If LVG is looking to buy in January (which I can't really see the point of), he'd be my first shout. I've always liked Garay, too.

I'd keep Evans - he's by far the best technically out of the three Brits, and, I think, the best distributor and reader of the game. He just needs a run of games. I'd keep Jones, because I can't forget what an explosive player he looked at Blackburn. But he is on borrowed time for me, regarding injuries. Smalling? I just don't get him at all. Decent all-rounder, without being really good at anything.

Just the way I see it. If we had to lose one, it would be him.

{Ed004's Note - Evans has been awful though this season. Smalling looks out best natural defender but there's always been doubts about his ability on the ball. This has improved recently though. Jones is very versatile and has more potential than Evans so I would keep him aswell}

16.) 23 Dec 2014
23 Dec 2014 16:39:09
Evans hasn't been good this season, but it's been very stop/start for him, whilst also learning a new system. However, by common consensus, he was probably our best defender over the last few seasons, even with Rio and Vidic.

For the same reason I wouldn't want to get rid of Jones, because of his earlier form, I think it would be too soon to get rid of Evans after a few bad matches this season. I hope LVG can mould him and Jones into the players I always thought they could be.

17.) 23 Dec 2014
I would let Evans go just seems to be lost and don't forget is 26 and not a first team regular Jones if a bid of over 15 million came in he could go but that won't happen Smalling divides opinon but i would keep him so keep Rojo Smalling and Jones Blackett fourth choice and i think Mcnair could be a midfielder in the making

18.) 23 Dec 2014
Bit late joining this one. It 2 points from me around the Rojo love and the Evans disdain.

1. I haven't seen anything from Rojo yet that says he's top class. He may well be, but I think he has been very average so far.

2. Evans was our best defender 2 years ago. Yes he has been less than convincing this year but put him next to a top quality CB and I think we will see him solid again. All this talk of getting rid of him is very sad.

{Ed004's Note - I think most people want the Smalling and Rojo partnership so badly because they played well together. They suited each other's playing style.}

19.) 23 Dec 2014
All this talk of getting rid of him is not so much because of the way he plays, its because of the fact he and Jones and Smalling can not stay fit.
Well that's the way i'm thinking anyway.

20.) 23 Dec 2014
23 Dec 2014 18:29:38
Evans has been our best defender the last two seasons and always looked good next to Rio or vidic. But he's now 26, if the only way to get his form back up is to buy a world class partner for him, is that a solution. We need a world class centre back anyway. And also we have to consider other players. Evans is 26, the senior centre back and should be the defensive lynchpin. However injuries have disrupted this and his comeback game shredded his confidence. At the moment we can't really afford to rebuild his confidence as we need results. I'm not saying get rid, but it maybe he ends up leaving at some point.

21.) 23 Dec 2014
The reality is these guys are injury prone but the current system is also making them look worse than they are.

The next question is are you going to get anyone much better that is out there and that can play in this 352 system and what is the cost of it.

22.) 24 Dec 2014
I would assume the wages we pay for Jones+Smalling+Evans are less than that of Falcao alone.
I don't think we should let any of them leave until this summer, so many changes in formations, injuries, bad tackles along with a manager like Moyes who sucked the confidence out of players.
They deserve this year and probably another 6 months.
Evans looks so out to me, similar to his second season for the club, where he was outmuscled by many strikers like Zamora, Agbonlahor, Crouch etc.
From what I see if Evans was paired with a player like Smalling who's better at headers we won't have such problems.

23.) 25 Dec 2014
Things must be bad if you all prefer Smalling.