Maradona37
Well-known member
I get the feeling they could recreate a three-man midfield of prime Rijkaard, Matthaus and Xavi and they'd still not be able to control games. They're a disaster.
Premier League 25/26
- Thread starter Maradona37
- Start date
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
yeah sometimes i feel the same, they would look lost there, it's Manu DNA - SAF was the only one in last 20 years who could coach them
Maradona37
Well-known member
It really started under him - they had a strong midfield of Carrick and Scholes as a base, but they still played more direct. Then Fletcher came in and did well.
Towards the end of his tenure though, after Pep schooled him the first time, he started neglecting the midfield. It didn't help that Carrick had a confidence crisis after Barca schooled him the first time and lost form for almost two years. Or that Scholes was winding down. There were even posts of 'zombie passing' on Redcafe circa 2009-2012. And that has continued to the present day. They just don't prioritise the midfield, which is a massive mistake in modern football.
I am not saying I am definitely right, but I 100 percent believe that football matches are mostly won in midfield. People talk about great defences and strikers or forwards, and that is true. But it's the midfield that allows you to dominate and control games, takes the pressure off your defence and protects them, and also gives the forwards the platform to do their stuff.
Teams that neglect their midfields always have a hard time. You can do well without a strong midfield, but there's no doubt you are at a massive disadvantage and need to compensate with a spectacular strength in other areas, like great back 5 or insane forwards.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
i dont remember much of these years at Manu, didnt really watch their games. Remember the tough fight they gave Real in 2013, current Manu would lose 0-5 vs that Real Madrid with prime Cristiano + Manu's football in 12/13 was so much stronger, Robin Van Persie alone was better than the whole offense now
also i remember in 2015 when a Manu fan has written on Facebook that Manu will be back soon and play for Cl title, lol
Maradona37
Well-known member
Phil Jones actually done quite a good man marking job on Ronaldo in the first leg, lol.
Yes Van Persie was a great striker. But that even proves my point too - he was their best player in 2013, but De Gea was good too and Carrick had returned to form. So, again, having someone doing well in midfield is always a great advantage.
They always predicted they will be back - they haven't accepted this is their new normal. I came across a thread on another site the other day from Amorim's first month where people were predicting him to get them top four by the end of last season, lol. They will never learn.
Maradona37
Well-known member
Talking about United, they have always had top quality strikers or forwards - Ferguson's ethos was ALWAYS about having goalscorers
Hughes, Cantona, Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, Sheringham, Van Nistelrooy, Berbatov, Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Van Persie. I am sure I am missing someone.
Now I am a bigger fan of some than others but they were all quality players to some level and ran riot in the league.
Hughes, Cantona, Cole, Yorke, Solskjaer, Sheringham, Van Nistelrooy, Berbatov, Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Van Persie. I am sure I am missing someone.
Now I am a bigger fan of some than others but they were all quality players to some level and ran riot in the league.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
Maradona37
Well-known member
I knew you'd post the goal, lol
Yeah Ronaldo scored. But my point is that Jones kept Ronaldo quiet for most of the game. That's about as much as you can ask against prime Ronaldo. It was rare to stop him scoring anyway so only letting him have that one moment was pretty good.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
looks right, dont think you miss someone
Maradona37
Well-known member
I originally missed Van Nistelrooy but edited it before you opened lol.
Forlan could go there too, but he was mediocre there and his best spells came at other clubs. Then you have good/decent strikers after Ferguson either at United or other clubs like Ibra, Cavani, Falcao, Lukaku, Greenwood, and dare I say it, Rashford to a point.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
yeah it was a tough match for him, pressure was also super high as it was the first time he was in Manchester again after he left them (correct me if im wrong)
he showed his class in dribbling & passing more vs the other club in Manchester in 12/13
Maradona37
Well-known member
Lol yeah.yeah it was a tough match for him, pressure was also super high as it was the first time he was in Manchester again after he left them (correct me if im wrong)
he showed his class in dribbling & passing more vs the other club in Manchester in 12/13
The first leg in the Bernabeu is where Jones marked him well. Welbeck scored a nice header too.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
bruh i like Forlan but at manu he was crap
they should have focused on midfield instead of buying a 32 years old Cavani or Lukaku
Maradona37
Well-known member
Yeah that is why I added the caveat of him being average there.
Definitely, they need to prioritise midfield. They're still doing it now with guys like Hojlund and Sesko.
They could have sold Bruno for 100m, got in two midfielders or one midfielder and Mbeumo/Cunha. They're playing Amad RWB when he's better in the forward line, makes no sense. They could even play Bruno in his only decent position in attacking midfield, only buy one of Cunha or Mbeumo and buy more midfielders.
They're letting Dorgu have so much of the ball even though he's poor technically. They already tried that with Wan Bissaka.
Sesko is weird considering he is potential at best and they already make that mistake with Hojlund. They just make awful decisions.
Fati_Future_BallonDor
Well-known member
Just watched the highlights of CR vs Manu from 2013, damn he had such a power and pace. Sometimes even i forget how good he was in his prime!
Home of Barca Fans
