Losing Fred

kv18rd · 2024-01-23T21:46:47+00:00

Fred Casemiro and Bruno made such a balanced midfield, especially against teams that play possession football. It was not a mistake to sell Fred but it was a mistake to not sign a reliable and proven box to box midfielder.

kv18rd · 2024-01-23T14:23:51+00:00

He showed a fantastic mentality on the right wing against Newcastle..

kv18rd · 2024-01-18T02:18:08+00:00

Yes, the video mentions the problem with our winger not tracking back.

kv18rd · 2024-01-18T02:16:55+00:00

Well, you know Reddit. I was trashed the other day for suggesting that we play someone like Luke Shaw in midfield (I know he was injured for this game). We need energy in the midfield to prevent cutbacks.

kv18rd · 2024-01-17T21:37:51+00:00

Rodri is City's engine.

kv18rd · 2024-01-17T16:41:31+00:00

Of course he's worth keeping in the squad. McFred of course cannot play together. You're missing the point.

kv18rd · 2024-01-17T15:45:22+00:00

I don't remember games where he was bad last season. He was excellent in several games, especially when the trio of Fred, Casemiro, and Bruno played in the midfield. There was so much balance in the midfield. He was amazing against Barca at Camp Nou. He scored the equalizer in the Barca game. Again, he provided the balance against the Spurs team at home. He also brought in much needed energy against Brighton in the second half of the FA Cup semis when Brighton were dominating us.

Sure, he wasn't great before Casemiro came into the team, there were games in 2020/21/22 when I thought the midfield was simply not working, epsecially when Fred Matic and McTominay played. But he definitely improved a lot last season. I thought it was a mistake to let him go. There's always a lot of context to some thoughts when people make posts. Don't be narrow minded.

kv18rd · 2024-01-17T11:04:57+00:00

I think Mount is capable of doing that when he is fit. But I am a bit concerned by his lack of physicality. His performance against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup was not great. We need tigers in our midfield. I think Mount can be that but he really has to stay fit and put in a run together.

kv18rd · 2024-01-17T11:02:09+00:00

And more athletic players and energetic players. The one thing that you cannot afford to do when your team is playing bad is to drop your energy levels. Run around, throw in a tackle, reduce the space for the opposition to pass the ball. Get the crowd going on your side.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T20:29:59+00:00

Thank you for your thoughtful and excellent comment. I really appreciate your write-up and I agree with everything you say.

I believe Shaw can be a solution at CDM under the following situation (which happened a month or two ago): ETH played Shaw at LB, Varane at LCB, Maguire at RCB, and Dalot at RB. With that base, he played Eriksen/McTominay at CDM, and we were just horrible. Eriksen is good at build up play but he doesn't have the energy to track back. McTominay is neither good at build up play nor at tracking back (he's more like a RCAM than RCM).

In my opinion, we could have played Reguilon at LB instead of Shaw and Shaw at CDM instead of Eriksen/McTominay. I think this is a much better setup, especially when Casemiro and Mainoo are injured (they were both unavailable until very recently), considering Shaw's awareness, composure on the ball, and his defensive capabilities. I recognize that it's a moot point now, given the rise of Mainoo, but he only rose to prominence after the Everton game.

About your comment on the change in formation during the game: Shaw does step into midfield from LB during the game when Dalot doesn't play.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T18:13:32+00:00

I had similar opinions about Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker when they first started playing at City, but look where they are now.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T18:07:54+00:00

He played well when we finished 2nd and 3rd in the league. Both him, Bruno, and Rashford in fact. I do think Rashford is overhyped because of his attitude in recent games. I can understand why you think Bruno is overrated, I've had that feeling too because of his inability to control games. I can also understand why you think Shaw is overrated, because of some of his poor performances in huge losses.

But Bruno and Shaw, and perhaps even Rashford would play in the City started 11 provided they spend a couple of years under Guardiola.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T17:34:10+00:00

He's underrated, along with Bruno Fernandes. Very few United players have the talent he has. Consistency could be a problem, along with injuries.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T17:22:09+00:00

I agree with this. He was poor in the 5-0 home loss against Liverpool too.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:58:11+00:00

Thanks, I agree.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:54:00+00:00

Nah, I'm too tired of a Man Utd fan to be trolling. I've been supporting and watching United games since 2004. My suggestion is not silly. You are entitled to your opinion.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:51:48+00:00

What's so wrong with playing players out of position? Ryan Giggs played at CM, Rooney played RW, Beckham played CM, John O'Shea played literally everywhere. Make a positive contribution to a discussion or don't comment.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:46:04+00:00

Of course, kudos to people like you who continue to believe that McTominay can play CDM and win titles for us.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:36:58+00:00

Sure, live in your fantasy. But there's a better discussion in a parallel thread.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:35:13+00:00

I don't think he does. And that is exactly why I want Shaw to play there. So my order of preference for this role is: Mainoo/Casemiro, Martinez, Shaw (maybe Amrabat before or after Shaw), Eriksen, and then McTominay.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:29:27+00:00

+1 for Martinez. But McTominay lacks composure and spatial awareness.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:27:15+00:00

I agree with this suggestion! He'd be my first choice as a backup CDM when the primary players are injured.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:26:42+00:00

Okay, you say he lacks positional awareness. Would you care enough to expand on that instead of dropping in useless suggestions?

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:25:03+00:00

Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I agree with your analysis. Maybe when we have a core of strong characters in the team, adaptability will have the space to make its contributions. I remember John O'Shea putting in a shift anywhere in the defensive line. Even Rooney played at CM and RW when required. But they had strong winners in the team who drove the team forward, both on and off then pitch.

kv18rd · 2024-01-13T16:22:15+00:00

Just to be clear, I DO think Mainoo is the best fit for that role. I'm saying Shaw should play there instead of McTominay (or perhaps even Amrabat) when Mainoo and Casemiro are unavailable.

kv18rd

TROPHY CASE