14 - Marcus Rashford

[Maradona37]

Wrong, they played hero ball regardless of them, actually to the disadvantage of those players. The idea is that somehow Rashford and Bruno demanded this is nonsensical. They just pinned the pressure to their best players, that was Rashford at first, then Bruno.

You don't need much more proof than United's last train-wreck of a season while Rashford wasn't even there.

They didn't consciously demand it, it is a quirk of their style of play.

And Fernandes was still there in that train wreck.

It's a combination of Man United as a club being a moments club who can't dominate games in midfield, and hence because of that predisposition they indulge lads like rashford and Fernandes. They're United players to a tee - poor in tight spaces, cannot control games, but are great in moments and stats and pulling rabbits out of a hat, and one of them has pace.

They've always been like this - even at their best they spent a large part of the game being outplayed and winning with superior end product. This still happens now, just to a lesser extent, partly because their difference makers like Fernandes and Rashford are nowhere near as good as Ronaldo or Rooney.

 

[Maradona37]

A smart club (which they are not) would have punted both of them a long time ago, and built around better possession footballers, and in general tried to turn around the ethos of the club into less of a moments and counter-attacking one.

Instead those idiots continue to look down on Pep's 'tiki taka' and play their terrible version of counter-attack, transitional football with two guys who are very poor exponents of that style (relatively speaking). Then they wonder why they get absolutely played off the park by teams like City.

They'll continue to fail and I will continue to be right about them. Because they're an anachronistic team and club trying to play 90s football in the 2020s.

 

[Maradona37]

Also, Fernandes was exactly the same re composure at Sporting, and scouts were actively turned away by his style of play. United scouts themselves even noted it but were overlooked.

So the idea that he's some sort of deep down a great controlling footballer made to look bad or impulsive because United are a basketcase is frankly absolute fucking bollocks.

Asking him to control a game or play intelligently and not pass the ball straight to the opposition is like asking a fish to fly.

Lots of their own fans don't rate him and see him as a problem. The smarter posters on Redcafe have major reservations about him in the future.

 

[Maradona37]

Anyway, I have decided that Rashford has some good qualities which could be useful for Barcelona. He might do well. I am intrigued to see how it goes for him as he's the type who could be great or a disaster, with very little in between.

 

[MasQueCulé]

He is doing great for now.

I have a good feeling about him in this team.

Hansi Flick is the type a coach he needs

 

[FCMessi]

Rash missing the tap in first 45 vs como.

His corners always so close to the keeper. Stop wasting corners.

Not bad otherwise first 45.

 

[Latschenkiefer]

Let's hope this didn't damage his confidence too much. I really like his pace.

 

[Devils]

His runs and link-up play for the last 20 or so minutes of that first half were great. Terrorized Como.

Just missing the finishing.

 

[Saladin]

His runs and link-up play for the last 20 or so minutes of that first half were great. Terrorized Como.

Just missing the finishing.

Yeah, he is definitely bringing that energy and those runs in behind are clinical - can definitely see this being a class signing if he keeps the momentum throughout the season. Chemistry will also improve, understanding running patterns, decision making and finishing once his muscle memory kicks in for real. Could be stellar, could be meh. Fortunately, can never be shit when he is a loanee.

 

[Tyler]

I don't know what some people were actually expecting. He's not Harry Kane or Cole Palmer. He's not a world class player. What he is, is a very good player that's always had purple patches throughout his career, and one that's an excellent rotation player that just about every team would like to have in their squad. Like every season, you will see him miss some sitters (like tonight) and you'll also see him look like Thierry Henry regen for some of his goals. That's just the player he is.

 

[Catta]

We can hope he explodes under Flick like Raphinha did. He has the physical tools for that, based on what we saw in the preseason.

Looks like a huge improvement on what we had last season. Him and Ferran are great backups.

 

[draconifire]

I don't know what some people were actually expecting. He's not Harry Kane or Cole Palmer. He's not a world class player. What he is, is a very good player that's always had purple patches throughout his career, and one that's an excellent rotation player that just about every team would like to have in their squad. Like every season, you will see him miss some sitters (like tonight) and you'll also see him look like Thierry Henry regen for some of his goals. That's just the player he is.

I can assure you only one person "cough cou.. bird couhg cough.. " is expecting him to be a Harry Kane regen.
Most of us will be happy if he gets 15GA this season.
I am one of his bigger proponents, but even I don't expect him to get Ferran's GA of last season.

We needed a better backup than Ansu & Pau, and we got one. Thats the reason why people are happy.

 

[Fati_Future_BallonDor]

That miss was huge but class run and assist for Raphi 💯

 

[Masetro10]

Honestly I think this guy can be even more effective at doing Raphinha's role from last season than Raphinha himself. Offensively that is. But, probably never going to be as good as Raphinha overall

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

The run before the pass was pretty cool.