Bruno Fernandes vs Liverpool

but more about the positions he takes up when we don't have the ball

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I meant when we do have the ball.

comment by Bailly_Lindelof_ (U16290)
posted 34 minutes ago
Should an attacking CM really be top of our priority list? My belief is that we have earmarked Bruno as a potential replacement for Pogba, but now that it seems no one wants Pogba and he's staying, the Bruno transfer is a no go. Can't see how the two would fit into our system anyway.

I'm much more excited about the Pepe rumours as he would finally give us some proper attacking threat on the right. I'd say CB, RW and a CDM should be our priority positions over AM
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I think people are being too rigid in their thinking about midfielder's positions. Fernandes has very good attacking qualities, obviously, but not a luxury player or a passanger. He looks like he works hard. He's club captain. He's energetic.

This idea that players are definitely one type of midfielder who couldn't operate alongside another type is really bizarre. Fernandes isn't an attacking midfielder in the sense of someone like Riquelme was. If anything he's more of a good all-rounder but with more strengths in the attacking third. We used to have a ginger player a bit like that, and he often played in a midfield two!

Rosso.

That makes sense. So to get three in we need to sell/loan out five.

I think that is doable. Maybe we haven't released anyone yet because we haven't secured our targets? I'd imagine we'd let Rojo, Darmian go fairly cheaply and I'm sure the Fred loan would be pretty straightforward too.

If we were to sell one of the CBs in the event we buy a new one then I'd probably sell Bailly simply because I have a hunch Jones would be happy with 30 games a season at United rather than move, be a regular somewhere else, and break down after a run of games. It's a real shame Bailly hasn't kicked on though as I thought he showed real promise to begin with. If we didn't get a new CB I'd love to see Bailly getting a full injury-free year.

comment by Bailly_Lindelof_ (U16290)
posted 35 minutes ago
But surely a CB, replacement for Matic and arguably RW are more pressing issues than an attacking mid?

I agree, ideally we need another source of creativity in the middle of the park but considering we conceded a record breaking number of goals last season, still have the useless Matic as our CDM and had next to no attacking threat from our right flank are more pressing issues
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I am hoping mctominay can do a solid job here or at the very least fred can push on

This idea that players are definitely one type of midfielder who couldn't operate alongside another type is really bizarre. Fernandes isn't an attacking midfielder in the sense of someone like Riquelme was. If anything he's more of a good all-rounder but with more strengths in the attacking third. We used to have a ginger player a bit like that, and he often played in a midfield two!
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I understand what you're saying but you don't score 30 goals a season unless you're spending a huge chunk of the time positioning yourself in the final third. If he and Pogba were to do that in most of our attacks and we lose the ball, we're exposed

I've seen a bit of Fernandes play, not much.. but a few full games in Portugal... If he was to sign, I guarantee that it will be Pogba dropping deeper, not Fernandes.

If Fernandes is to sign, we surely have to shift one of Pogba, Fred, McT or Pereira.

The squad is already over full.
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We lost Herrera and Fellaini and havent replaced them...

comment by dirty berty (U18223)
posted 2 minutes ago
If Fernandes is to sign, we surely have to shift one of Pogba, Fred, McT or Pereira.

The squad is already over full.
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We lost Herrera and Fellaini and havent replaced them...
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And we lost Valencia.

But then we’ve bought two players, and have to register Rashford for the first time, Tuanzebe and TFM, if he stays.

comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - Ole's joy squids (U2958)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by Eric (U22197)
posted 4 minutes ago
Goals win games, and this guys scores.
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He scores goals... In a vastly weaker league. He is a potential talent, but let's not get carried away that he is the world class talent we need.
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He is a talent. Mayne nor world class ut how many world class CMs are there that wont cost the earth a d would be up for the move ?

comment by Bailly_Lindelof_ (U16290)
posted 26 minutes ago
Would put a *huge* amount of responsibility on McT, because he’s getting no help from the other two.
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Exactly. People say Fernandes runs a lot though, but it's not just about how much a player runs, but more about the positions he takes up when we don't have the ball. He's an attacking mid, he will play most of his football in the final third so if we lose it, we're exposed.

Plus. McT isn't even a natural CDM. Everytime he's been asked to play a more defensive role for us, he's had another relatively defensive CM next him i.e. Fred or Herrera.
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We can replace Pogba or Fernandes with Fred or Matic in the tougher games.