Wondering how everyone rates our midfield 2 vs the other teams in the PL
Any combination of Fred/Matic/McT
(Since Pogba plays LW, and Donny never plays)
Man City: Fernandinho Gundogan
Liverpool: Fabinho Thiago
Chelsea: Kante Jorginho
Tottenham: Hoijberg Ndombele [could be Lo Celso or Skipp if he leaves]
Leicester: Ndidi Tielemans
West Ham: Rice Soucek
Aston Villa: McGinn Luiz
Arsenal: Partey Xhaka
Everton: Allan Doucoure
Brighton: Bissouma Lallana
Wolves: Neves Moutinho
Southampton: Romeu Ward-Prowse
Leeds: Phillips Koch
Newcastle: Hayden Shelvey
Burnley: Cork Brownhill
Crystal Palace: McArthur Milivojevic
Then the 3 Promoted Clubs
Obviously not every team plays the same combination - but I've tried to use to most suitable comparisons.
I would argue 8 teams have a better midfield 2 and 3 more are arguable. I'm amazed the club aren't desperate for a better midfield. Fred/McT/Matic taking up 3 squad places in the same position without any of them being top players is insane.
Our Midfield 2 vs the Other PL Clubs
posted on 26/8/21
Koch and Phillips don't ay together. Our pivot is more likely to be Phillips and Klich/Dallas.
posted on 26/8/21
In terms of the total package I think we are the strongest.
Quality of Pogba and Bruno with industry and tactical awareness in McTominay and Fred
posted on 26/8/21
For what it's worth, I would say that McTominay and Fred are both probably underrated. Overall, your midfield is probably bettered by Chelsea and Man City, and Liverpool too, but they're behind the other two.
McTominay and Fred are probably a sound midtable midfield.
posted on 26/8/21
Don't Liverpool play with a midfield three?
posted on 26/8/21
We rarely lose when McT and Fred are in midfield but we do get far too many draws when they're in there.
A club like United shouldn't really have a 'horses for courses' approach to who they pick in midfield but, if we don't sign another MF or two in this window, then I think that's the best way forward. I really don't want to see a midfield two similar to McT and Fred in games where we're going to dominate the ball.
posted on 26/8/21
The issue isn’t so much where it ranks, but the problem is that it’s a horses for courses group of midfielders. Across a season, you could probably create good combinations to go up against the majority of our opposition to get good performances and results.
Problem is I’m not convinced we can do that with the current management, but it is difficult to build relationships if you are having to tinker in the middle of the pitch too much.
We need a midfield that doesn’t need changing depending on opposition. That we’ve not addressed this for so long is a failure of our recruitment.
posted on 26/8/21
Henderson before Thiago for us if we played a 2.
posted on 26/8/21
Arsenals midfield is extremely weak, xhaka been stealing a living for many a year now
posted on 26/8/21
If we’re talking just midfield two I’d have chelsea, city, pool, spurs, Leicester, West Ham, Villa, Everton, wolves, Southampton and Leeds.
posted on 26/8/21
In isolation the pair isn't bad per se, but if you look at the players around them then it becomes an issue. It's the same reason why Donny won't ever thrive in this side.
Those midfielders + back 4 just lack too much footballing ability for a team that wants to play attacking football. Even Atletico Madrid had better midfielders/fullbacks and they actually park the bus and won stuff...