Official Manchester United FC Thread

[Brew666]

Don't think lvg will start herrara and mata together. Looking at the middle, United might be the slowest and unathletic in the world with that....

LVG used those two in that formation for a lot of the games when both were healthy last year and they played very well off each other. I'm assuming Mata and Depay are on the wing and not attacking midfield in that formation.

I'm not worried about athleticism up the middle at all. All 3 midfielders are defensively responsible and know how to pass. I don't expect any opponent to expose their lack of speed up the middle.

General question, Is speed up the middle that important? I can understand on the wing because it's more 1 on 1 battles and straight up leg races for balls but in the middle couldn't the opposing team just collapse and/or bring some help D?

[Lakers415]

Don't think lvg will start herrara and mata together. Looking at the middle, United might be the slowest and unathletic in the world with that....

LVG used those two in that formation for a lot of the games when both were healthy last year and they played very well off each other. I'm assuming Mata and Depay are on the wing and not attacking midfield in that formation.

I'm not worried about athleticism up the middle at all. All 3 midfielders are defensively responsible and know how to pass. I don't expect any opponent to expose their lack of speed up the middle.

General question, Is speed up the middle that important? I can understand on the wing because it's more 1 on 1 battles and straight up leg races for balls but in the middle couldn't the opposing team just collapse and/or bring some help D?

From what I remember they played well for a month or so, than went back to Fellaini longball since they couldn't keep up....


Honestly, people are dropping Young, but I would bet young starts over mata and ADM eventually gets sold.

[Swift3]

Don't think lvg will start herrara and mata together. Looking at the middle, United might be the slowest and unathletic in the world with that....

LVG used those two in that formation for a lot of the games when both were healthy last year and they played very well off each other. I'm assuming Mata and Depay are on the wing and not attacking midfield in that formation.

I'm not worried about athleticism up the middle at all. All 3 midfielders are defensively responsible and know how to pass. I don't expect any opponent to expose their lack of speed up the middle.

General question, Is speed up the middle that important? I can understand on the wing because it's more 1 on 1 battles and straight up leg races for balls but in the middle couldn't the opposing team just collapse and/or bring some help D?

From what I remember they played well for a month or so, than went back to Fellaini longball since they couldn't keep up....


Honestly, people are dropping Young, but I would bet young starts over mata and ADM eventually gets sold.

Yeah Herrera and Mata's chemistry along with our winning streak was fun to watch. Can't blame Fellaini though he got results. I just don't think a team with Fellaini in their starting lineup is going to win the EPL. So as much as I appreciate Fellaini, I think he should be plan B or plan C maybe coming off the bench against stubborn defenses.

Maybe I'm just excited to play Fifa 16 but I hope LVG goes to a 4-3-3 with Depay and Di Maria on the wings. That would add speed we desperately lacked last year and maybe some more creativity. Midfield can be rotated between Schweinsteiger/Carrick, , Schnerderlin, Mata/Herrera, and maybe Fellaini in there occasionally. That brings us a hard tackling holding mid in either Schweinsteiger, Carrick or Schnerderlin, then a box to box midfielder in either Schweinsteiger, or Herrera and finally a #10 in Mata, Herrera, and Fellaini as a back up. We can test out different combinations of what works with chemistry and just getting some results from the beginning of the season.

I am so so excited for this season! Been a while since i've actually been this excited for a season. I hope we sign Otamendi. I think he was the best CB in la liga last year. Other than that, if Chicharito looks good, he should fill our backup striker role and I like where this team is headed.

[TNBT]

New goalie signed up... Sergio Romero. Don't know much about him, but wondering if he's been signed as a backup to De Gea next season, or as a replacement?


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[Lakers415]

New goalie signed up... Sergio Romero. Don't know much about him, but wondering if he's been signed as a backup to De Gea next season, or as a replacement?


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If romero is the replacement to DDG, think of DDG first season as his peak for romero.

[MitchellUK]

New goalie signed up... Sergio Romero. Don't know much about him, but wondering if he's been signed as a backup to De Gea next season, or as a replacement?


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I think it's a bit of both. Valdes has reportedly been told he can find a new club, which would leave De Gea as the only experienced keeper on the team. In United's ideal world, De Gea will be convinced to stay and Romero will back him up, but if (when) De Gea does leave in this transfer window or on a free next year, at least they have a keeper with plenty of experience to fill in until they can adequately replace him.

[TNBT]

You're probably right, MitchellUK. Ideally I'd love De Gea to change his mind and re-sign long term with us, but at least now if he leaves, we have someone experienced to step in.

[Lakers415]

I've watch all 3 preseason united games and thought bastian never played well in either one of them.

I'm a big bastian fan, but, I think people are looking at bastian as if he is the same player as 2013 bastian.

Depay reminds me a ton of marco Reus, except not as talented.... If LVG wants him to play the n10, he should consider getting his wings improved.....

Also, surprised herrera hasn't started any games and blind started every game as a cb.

[TNBT]

There's been a lot of guessing about how we will line up against Spurs next week, but no one even knows for certain what formation we'll use, let alone which players.

I'd read a quote from LVG saying that he planned to stay with the 4-3-3 like last season, so assuming we do that, I'd ideally like to see a lineup like this:

Goalie - De Gea
Defense - Shaw/Blind/Smalling/Darmian
Midfield - Schneiderlin (defensive)/Bastian and Hererra
Forward - Rooney with Depay and Mata on the wings


This is assuming that Di Maria is gone and there are no other moves made between now and the start of the season. Where it gets tricky is who makes it onto the bench, and who misses out? I mean you've got a backup goalie (Valdes or Romero), then you have 5 spots to use between Rojo, Jones, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Young, Januzaj and Periera. So who misses out?


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[Swift3]

There's been a lot of guessing about how we will line up against Spurs next week, but no one even knows for certain what formation we'll use, let alone which players.

I'd read a quote from LVG saying that he planned to stay with the 4-3-3 like last season, so assuming we do that, I'd ideally like to see a lineup like this:

Goalie - De Gea
Defense - Shaw/Blind/Smalling/Darmian
Midfield - Schneiderlin (defensive)/Bastian and Hererra
Forward - Rooney with Depay and Mata on the wings


This is assuming that Di Maria is gone and there are no other moves made between now and the start of the season. Where it gets tricky is who makes it onto the bench, and who misses out? I mean you've got a backup goalie (Valdes or Romero), then you have 5 spots to use between Rojo, Jones, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Young, Januzaj and Periera. So who misses out?


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I hate to admit, because he's my favorite player on United, but it seems like it is becoming more and more likely that De Gea is leaving for Real Madrid especially with LVG's recent remark stating that maybe he wants to go...

That being said, I also hate Blind at CB and I pray that was just a season thing. I would also start Carrick because he's been sensational and very good even during pre season. It's troubling because starting Schneiderlin, Bastian and Carrick all together isn't ideal but they all deserve to be starting.

I would go with this lineup assuming Di Maria goes and De Gea stays for now

Goalie - De Gea
Defense - Darmian/Smalling/Jones/Shaw
Midfield - Carrick (DM)/Bastian/Hererra
Forward - Mata (Right)/Rooney/Depay (Left)

If we go 4-2-3-1 like in preseason...

Goalie - De Gea
Defense - Darmian/Smalling/Jones/Shaw
Holding Midfield - Carrick/ Scneiderlin or Bastian
Attacking 3 - Mata/Depay/Young
Striker - Rooney

I am also still a believer in having Mata at the 10 role and do not like Depay in there right now. I think LVG believes Depay can be that 10 role but I feel like he is so good on the wing so i'm not sure why he has him and Depay switched. Also, Young has been very good from last season and deserves to start.

[Lakers415]

Reason why lvg doesn't slot mata in the n10 role is because he is a defensive liability there and cannot press for his life...

When you have rooney, mata and morgan S, bastian and herrara in the middle, none of them are really fast or athletic.

At chelsea, he was replaced by oscar because oscar could press like a mad dog and tackle well.

Also, judgin upon the preseason, it seem's that herrera isn't starting for united...

[TNBT]

I hate to admit, because he's my favorite player on United, but it seems like it is becoming more and more likely that De Gea is leaving for Real Madrid especially with LVG's recent remark stating that maybe he wants to go...

That being said, I also hate Blind at CB and I pray that was just a season thing. I would also start Carrick because he's been sensational and very good even during pre season. It's troubling because starting Schneiderlin, Bastian and Carrick all together isn't ideal but they all deserve to be starting.

I would go with this lineup assuming Di Maria goes and De Gea stays for now

Goalie - De Gea
Defense - Darmian/Smalling/Jones/Shaw
Midfield - Carrick (DM)/Bastian/Hererra
Forward - Mata (Right)/Rooney/Depay (Left)

If we go 4-2-3-1 like in preseason...

Goalie - De Gea
Defense - Darmian/Smalling/Jones/Shaw
Holding Midfield - Carrick/ Scneiderlin or Bastian
Attacking 3 - Mata/Depay/Young
Striker - Rooney

I am also still a believer in having Mata at the 10 role and do not like Depay in there right now. I think LVG believes Depay can be that 10 role but I feel like he is so good on the wing so i'm not sure why he has him and Depay switched. Also, Young has been very good from last season and deserves to start.

Regarding Blind at CB, it wasn't so much what I WANT to happen, but what seems to be already decided for LVG at this point. Regarding the Carrick situation, I know he's been an amazing player and his impact on the squad was obvious when he was injured last season, but I really like the idea of him coming off the bench. The reason behind that being that he's getting old and a bench role could help to prolong his career, and also that having him come in later in games with fresh legs should allow him to really take advantage of the oppositions tired starters or bench guys.

Now as I said, LVG has basically guaranteed that we'll be using the 4-3-3, at least for the start of the season. However, that doesn't mean we wont see the 4-2-3-1 at some point. In that situation, I like your line-up, but again would be starting Schneiderlin and Bastian as the two holding mids. Just personal preference really.

[TNBT]

I also just read that apparently Spanish papers have been reporting that LVG has had enough of the De Gea crap and has asked the club to get him moved on as quickly as possible so as not to have the lingering situation affect the new season.

[TNBT]

A WireTap article just said that LVG has apparently promised Pedro a starting spot in a 3 man attack with Depay and Rooney. I guess that means we can expect a 4-3-3 this season. In that case, then we have Mata, Young and Januzaj also needing minutes at the two wing spots. So who do you guys see being the odd man out? LVG has already said he wants to be two-deep at every spot, which means four wingers, putting us one over at this point. Does Januzaj get loaned out? Does Mata get moved into the middle on a more permanent basis?

[TNBT]

Actually, I just read an article on the club website where LVG confirmed we'll be using the 4-3-3 but says that Memphis is probably the frontrunner for the attacking central midfield spot. That would leave us with only four wingers (Mata, Young, Pedro and Januzaj) which solves that problem, but that then leaves us with six guys to find minutes for in the 3 midfield spots (Schneiderlin, Bastian, Memphis, Carrick, Fellaini and Hererra) and then I'm sure we'd like to find some minutes for Periera at some point too. So do you see us going into the season with those six guys covering those 3 spots? I guess it would fit with the idea of having two guys for each spot.

[Cruel_Ruin]

Actually, I just read an article on the club website where LVG confirmed we'll be using the 4-3-3 but says that Memphis is probably the frontrunner for the attacking central midfield spot. That would leave us with only four wingers (Mata, Young, Pedro and Januzaj) which solves that problem, but that then leaves us with six guys to find minutes for in the 3 midfield spots (Schneiderlin, Bastian, Memphis, Carrick, Fellaini and Hererra) and then I'm sure we'd like to find some minutes for Periera at some point too. So do you see us going into the season with those six guys covering those 3 spots? I guess it would fit with the idea of having two guys for each spot.

I think the goal is to play Memphis in more of a False #10 role, where he will be slotted centrally but drift towards the left wing and cut inwards when he attacks. Against the Spurs we'll have Young play the left wing spot, but just to keep it nice and warm for when Pedro comes in and replaces him. Mata will play on the right wing, but in a False #9 role where he can get the ball in space while facing the goal, but move inside centrally where he can create for himself and others. Against Euro sides in the CL you'll see more Bastian and Carrick playing together as two holding midfielders controlling the game from deep, but against more physical EPL sides one of them probably has to be replaced with the more physical Schneiderlin. Herrera, although played great last year, would be depth/injury insurance.

The real reason they have to resort to this weird formation is because of Mata. He's not proficient playing with his back to the goal because he's too weak and he can't really work tight spaces because he's too slow. That's kind of what LvG expects from the AM position. But they have to play Mata, he's one of the best players on the team with his movement and creativity. Their best stretch of play came when they moved Mata to the wing with Fellaini as the False #10, Herrera as a box-to-box and Valencia at RB. Seems like LvG is trying to recapture that form from last year with Memphis in for Fellaini, Schneiderlin taking Herrera's spot, and Darmian in for Valencia.

[Shaazzam]

I haven't seen Schneiderlin play much, but he was **** in the preseason games. Is he better than Herrera? I dunno, I think Herrera is a stud... if a little thin.

[TNBT]

I haven't seen Schneiderlin play much, but he was **** in the preseason games. Is he better than Herrera? I dunno, I think Herrera is a stud... if a little thin.

Really? I didn't see the games, but all reports I'd read were raving about how great Schneiderlin in particular was during those games.


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[Swift3]

I hate to admit, because he's my favorite player on United, but it seems like it is becoming more and more likely that De Gea is leaving for Real Madrid especially with LVG's recent remark stating that maybe he wants to go...

That being said, I also hate Blind at CB and I pray that was just a season thing. I would also start Carrick because he's been sensational and very good even during pre season. It's troubling because starting Schneiderlin, Bastian and Carrick all together isn't ideal but they all deserve to be starting.

I would go with this lineup assuming Di Maria goes and De Gea stays for now

Goalie - De Gea
Defense - Darmian/Smalling/Jones/Shaw
Midfield - Carrick (DM)/Bastian/Hererra
Forward - Mata (Right)/Rooney/Depay (Left)

If we go 4-2-3-1 like in preseason...

Goalie - De Gea
Defense - Darmian/Smalling/Jones/Shaw
Holding Midfield - Carrick/ Scneiderlin or Bastian
Attacking 3 - Mata/Depay/Young
Striker - Rooney

I am also still a believer in having Mata at the 10 role and do not like Depay in there right now. I think LVG believes Depay can be that 10 role but I feel like he is so good on the wing so i'm not sure why he has him and Depay switched. Also, Young has been very good from last season and deserves to start.

Regarding Blind at CB, it wasn't so much what I WANT to happen, but what seems to be already decided for LVG at this point. Regarding the Carrick situation, I know he's been an amazing player and his impact on the squad was obvious when he was injured last season, but I really like the idea of him coming off the bench. The reason behind that being that he's getting old and a bench role could help to prolong his career, and also that having him come in later in games with fresh legs should allow him to really take advantage of the oppositions tired starters or bench guys.

Now as I said, LVG has basically guaranteed that we'll be using the 4-3-3, at least for the start of the season. However, that doesn't mean we wont see the 4-2-3-1 at some point. In that situation, I like your line-up, but again would be starting Schneiderlin and Bastian as the two holding mids. Just personal preference really.

I agree with pretty much everything you said. I also think LVG will be flexible although not as much as much as last year on formation. I actually think 4-2-3-1 would be the best for our current squad. Like someone else said earlier in this thread, I think formation will depend on who we're playing as well. European games will deploy more 4-2-3-1 formation with Schneiderlin and Bastian protecting our still vulnerable defense. Against weaker opponents in league, we might see a more offensive (4-3-3) formation.

I think LVG is trying to deploy Memphis in the same way he was trying to make it work for Di Maria last season behind Rooney. I'm not sure how successful that'll be because I don't see Memphis as a distributor who's creative and a willing passer. I like him more as a winger who takes on players like young. Slotting him there does give him more opportunity to score and get touches on the ball. I still think Mata is our best #10 option on the team with Fellaini being a solid Plan B against stubborn defenses. I think Mata is still our best player maker and creative player despite him being suspect on the defensive end and being slow. I want to see Depay, Young and Valencia in the outside spots taking players on the outside. I guess we'll just have to see what works over the season.

As for Blind for CB, I guess his play making in the back could be a plus, but LVG is just being stubborn if he thinks he can get away with him in the back. We do still have Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Evans, as well as McNair and Blackett. I think the thinking is that with the number of midfielders we have now as well as defenders, Blind would be best used in the back.

Honestly, I haven't been this excited for a season to start in while! So much to look forward to and I'm excited to see what the mix of veterans and younger players can do. I hope De Gea does stay for one more season, even if that means he leaves for free next season. My ultimate wish would be for us to play Madrid in CL and we beat them over 2 leg which leads to De Gea resigning a brand new 5 year contract with us! A man can dream right?

What are you guys prediction for the top 4? I don't think Chelsea are by any means lock for the title. They'll have motivation problems and still have problems with depth. Arsenal can win it if they bring everything together and injury works with them (although that's what we say every year). I don't think highly of Man City because I don't think Toure and Kompany will turn it around. United will depend heavily on our defense and how it does as well as what Rooney we will see. (34 goals in all competition anyone?)

1.) Chelsea
2.) United
3.) Arsenal
4.) City

[Swift3]

I haven't seen Schneiderlin play much, but he was **** in the preseason games. Is he better than Herrera? I dunno, I think Herrera is a stud... if a little thin.

Really? I didn't see the games, but all reports I'd read were raving about how great Schneiderlin in particular was during those games.


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I personally thought Schneiderlin was pretty good. His defensive instinct especially is going to be huge for us. Then again i'm not high on Herrera as most people are. He hit like 6 goals on 6 shots last season and that's not going to happen again this season. I don't think Herrera is particularly creative nor does anything really well. He does work hard i'll give him that.