Blackett looking very good again.

Hush

You will upset the Evans fan boys.

Played well. Good to see.

Imagine if we start the season with Tyler Blackett and Ashley Young in defence? Who would have called that a few weeks ago?

Been very impressive in pre season.

Will be interesting to see if he's used next season. Looks a lot more comfortable on the ball than Smalling and Jones.

Done well defensively, albeit hasn't really been tested that much.

i have been very very impressed with what I have seen of blackett, pace, strength, composure and he moves the ball quickly when he needs to

I have always been a fan of smalling who is of similar mould but without the ball playing ability

they have been the two best cbs of the tour

followed by evans and jones

Blackett looks a player.

You will upset the Evans fan boys.
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Evans has fan boys?

Was very impressed with Hererra. Bossed the midfield. "Spanish Cleverly" tag totally unjustified.

if we are going to play with a back 3 we need a competent ball playing cb, someone who can pass out of defence when we are being pressed. This gives the cm another passing option.

In the first half with lpool pressing as they did we dared not pass backwards to cbs who were not comfortable in possession. consequently we forced the forward passes and turned over possession to easily.

Reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand

Has been immense on tour.

I think he deserves a chance to play left centre back and seems the most ideal candidate for the role.

I'd play Smalling right centre back, Blackett left centre back and I'd be looking at a top quality ball playing centre half for the most central of the three. Hummels would be perfect but we can all dream.

comment by ubad9jagooner (U7978)
posted 48 seconds ago
Was very impressed with Hererra. Bossed the midfield. "Spanish Cleverly" tag totally unjustified.
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Herrera looks a great player. Comfortable on the ball, which I expected, but with a physical side to his game and even a sense of authority too. I really hope we can keep him fit and, ideally, sign him a new partner who is a touch more defensive.

He was very good. Cleverley was also a factor in us being more composed in the second half (unpopular as that might sound)

comment by Wonder Man (U11164)
posted 22 seconds ago
He was very good. Cleverley was also a factor in us being more composed in the second half (unpopular as that might sound)
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If we don't sign another midfielder, I'd probably give Cleverley the nod ahead of Fletcher in Carrick's absence. Tough decision as Fletcher has been better on tour, but I'd go with Tom...

I'd play Smalling right centre back, Blackett left centre back and I'd be looking at a top quality ball playing centre half for the most central of the three. Hummels would be perfect but we can all dream.
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I agree this is the best option for utd. Although out of hope I would like to see evans grow into the hummels role but there is no evidence this will happen. The problem with evans is his all round game is solid but nothing about him is special. He is also not a commanding presence.

Clevs did alright actually. Pressed the ball better than Fletcher did as well.

Wonder if so many games in a short space of time is taking its toll on Fletcher? He was pressing the ball quite well at the start of the tour.

Doesn't bode well for him if that's the case.

cleverly and welbeck are good at playing the ball quickly and some of their link up play has always been good. Just need to get the balance right though and players making runs in to the channels and space

Herrera helps but needs someone else in there and weirdly an ando type would be good with an emphasis on attack

comment by Darren The King Fletcher - Maroudona (U10026)
posted 39 seconds ago
Clevs did alright actually. Pressed the ball better than Fletcher did as well.

Wonder if so many games in a short space of time is taking its toll on Fletcher? He was pressing the ball quite well at the start of the tour.

Doesn't bode well for him if that's the case.
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That's the thing. He just doesn't seem to have the energy he had before his long lay-off. Understandably so, I suppose, but his busy style was really effective for a time.

comment by Manyoo Manchees (U18090)
posted 9 minutes ago
Reminds me of a young Rio Ferdinand
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Actually I had a same thought.

I agree, Clockwork.

He's done well in pre season but we still need better. I suppose he's unlikely to be playing week in week out anyway so the physical decline might not come into it as much.

I'm not sure exactly what he'll be like in terms of managing his fitness. He may need to play a lot to reach the level of fitness needed or he could be better off using sparingly.

Either way we still need more cm's.

Biggest suprise of our tour for me

That and the revival of Young

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Fletcher is a good squad player and over preseason has played some great balls over the top down the line.

We need squad players who will graft, fletcher had a complete shocker today 1st half gifting possession but in other games they were coming off.

Blackett was the reason we scored the first goal he intercepted and through ball in to space so man ud did quick attack catching Liverpool off guard winning ball high up and playing it forawrd quickly.

a squad our size with decent players like fletch and clevs coming in doing a job here and there is useful if we are in Europe etc

this season is all about consolidating so these fringe players maybe need moving on and quality bought in, play youngsters in cup games to see if they can cut it

get top 4 then build a squad to stay there and compete

don't want to be playing wages and taking up space better to save the money and spend big next season