It does seem blindingly obvious that a player with Matic’s skill set but the right side of 30 would be ideal for us but then listening to Ole the other day I’m not sure that’s what he wants. He mentioned wanting midfielders who can do everything like Robson, Keane and Scholes which I wouldn’t say Matic offers (nor Fred). I get that the squad has needed fixing in many areas since Ole has been here but you’d think sorting out central midfield would be key, tbf it’s been an issue long before Ole took over. Will be very interesting to see what we do next summer.
But who are these young Matics, or Robsons come to that?
For me McTominay is the man to play the Matic role he’s good for us going forward but needs to improve on the defensive part of his game
I don’t watch much football outside of United so couldn’t really say but I don’t think you get midfielders like Robson these days, you seem to get more specialised midfielders rather than allrounders. I don’t hate McFred like a lot of United fans but I’d imagine there are far better midfielders out there who could improve us.
Matic is simply a better passer than McFred. He can be useful against teams we dominate but fail to break down. I don't see why he hasn't been use more in this capacity, with the Europa final springing to mind.
I'm not one for piling in on Solskjaer, but I think he has underperformed when it comes to the midfield. It's fine opting for multi-dimensional midfielders who can do a bit of everything, but if you're going to deploy that plan, you need to be effective at creating patterns of play that maximise the midfield's ball-progressing capabilities and the defensive shape. Especially if you're going to put Pogba in the pivot.
Ultimately, whether through failure to recruit (a Matic or an all-rounder) or if he's happy with personnel failure to come up with a system, the buck stops with the management for not having a midfield that functions as effectively as our title rivals.
comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 17 minutes ago
But who are these young Matics, or Robsons come to that?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We don't have the multi-million pound recruitment departments, scouting networks and data that a club like United has at its disposal. But over the years that we've been crying out for a midfield that can keep the ball better, dictate the tempo better, progress the ball faster we've seen the likes of Jorginho, Ndidi, Fabinho and Bellingham bought and sold. It's not an exact science picking the right player - or picking a player when he's ready to come to a club like United. But I don't think "there aren't any midfielders good enough" is an excuse. It's pretty clear by now (3 wingers, 3 centre forwards, 2 10s, 2 centre backs, 2 full backs and one attempt to sign Trippier later) that centre midfielders has been the club's very lowest priority.
...I would be more forgiving if we had tried and failed. At least LVG and Mourinho attempted (badly) to build a midfield.
To spin it slightly, at least they're whittling down the problem areas so we only have to talk about two now. We'd have had centre back and right wing in this discussion last year.
Matic can pass through the lines. Still can be great on his day but his legs have gone sadly
A 2014-15 Matic would certainly improve us quite a lot.
The only half decent midfielder we recruited in the last 10 years we let him run his contract down and go on a free to PSG. These are the clowns that are responsible for running the club.
Didn’t Ole just say he didn’t want specialist midfielders but ones who can do everything, like in his day?
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 35 seconds ago
Didn’t Ole just say he didn’t want specialist midfielders but ones who can do everything, like in his day?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think he meant more Robson and Keane than Kleberson and Djemba-Djemba though
The whole thing's just a Manchester United blindspot. The last truly excellent midfielder we bought was Carrick (maybe Hargreaves for that one terrific season as well).
comment by The Post Nearly Man. Ex Lion Tamer. (U1270)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 35 seconds ago
Didn’t Ole just say he didn’t want specialist midfielders but ones who can do everything, like in his day?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think he meant more Robson and Keane than Kleberson and Djemba-Djemba though
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Or Fred and Matic (I hope)
The pass that he made for Jesse's goal reminded me of Keane. When people talk about Keane they always seem to overlook the quality of his passing. He hardly ever lost the ball and whilst he didn't have the long range passing in his locker, he was very good at pinging in a crisp pass through the lines to set up quick attacks.
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
I don’t watch much football outside of United so couldn’t really say but I don’t think you get midfielders like Robson these days, you seem to get more specialised midfielders rather than allrounders. I don’t hate McFred like a lot of United fans but I’d imagine there are far better midfielders out there who could improve us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bellingham looks pretty similar to Robbo from what I've seen of him.
Yeah he does seem like a very special player.
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 5 minutes ago
The pass that he made for Jesse's goal reminded me of Keane. When people talk about Keane they always seem to overlook the quality of his passing. He hardly ever lost the ball and whilst he didn't have the long range passing in his locker, he was very good at pinging in a crisp pass through the lines to set up quick attacks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah. In his second book he says he used to fire passes at new players in training to try and find out if they were any good.
Agree with the Bellingham comparison, but if he's any near as good as Robbo was he'll be very special indeed
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 8 minutes ago
The pass that he made for Jesse's goal reminded me of Keane. When people talk about Keane they always seem to overlook the quality of his passing. He hardly ever lost the ball and whilst he didn't have the long range passing in his locker, he was very good at pinging in a crisp pass through the lines to set up quick attacks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
True. Keane’s passing was a mix of simplicity and momentum. He’d just keep attacks going, or rekindle them, by playing the right ball with a bit of fizz.
He played some good passes in his cameo yesterday but let’s be fair his performances these days mostly consist of laboured sideways passing, losing possession whenever pressurised and being non-existent when the opposition have it.
I didn’t particularly want him at the time we signed him and don’t think we should have given him the new 3 year deal.
He’s been decent in patches but overall he’s been a fairly poor signing.
The only saving grace was that Eric Dier was our first choice that summer.
I thought the VDB signing was supposed to go some way to resolving our midfield problems. He is either seen as a more attacking player (which I dont really see him as) or he simply wasn't as good as imagined.
Anyway, the midfield is our obvious priority for next summer. Matic and Fred aren't good enough, Pogba is flirting with leaving, VDB not looking good enough either. McT is useful, and he gives everything he has.
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 22 minutes ago
He played some good passes in his cameo yesterday but let’s be fair his performances these days mostly consist of laboured sideways passing, losing possession whenever pressurised and being non-existent when the opposition have it.
I didn’t particularly want him at the time we signed him and don’t think we should have given him the new 3 year deal.
He’s been decent in patches but overall he’s been a fairly poor signing.
The only saving grace was that Eric Dier was our first choice that summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeh I think he was already past his prime when we signed him. He was a very influential player for a couple of seasons.
Matic has had 2 really good spells for us, when he first joined and leading up to getting his contract extension. At his best his passing can be very good, got loads of assists in the season before he joined us.
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Matic
Page 1 of 2
posted on 20/9/21
It does seem blindingly obvious that a player with Matic’s skill set but the right side of 30 would be ideal for us but then listening to Ole the other day I’m not sure that’s what he wants. He mentioned wanting midfielders who can do everything like Robson, Keane and Scholes which I wouldn’t say Matic offers (nor Fred). I get that the squad has needed fixing in many areas since Ole has been here but you’d think sorting out central midfield would be key, tbf it’s been an issue long before Ole took over. Will be very interesting to see what we do next summer.
posted on 20/9/21
But who are these young Matics, or Robsons come to that?
posted on 20/9/21
For me McTominay is the man to play the Matic role he’s good for us going forward but needs to improve on the defensive part of his game
posted on 20/9/21
I don’t watch much football outside of United so couldn’t really say but I don’t think you get midfielders like Robson these days, you seem to get more specialised midfielders rather than allrounders. I don’t hate McFred like a lot of United fans but I’d imagine there are far better midfielders out there who could improve us.
posted on 20/9/21
Matic is simply a better passer than McFred. He can be useful against teams we dominate but fail to break down. I don't see why he hasn't been use more in this capacity, with the Europa final springing to mind.
posted on 20/9/21
I'm not one for piling in on Solskjaer, but I think he has underperformed when it comes to the midfield. It's fine opting for multi-dimensional midfielders who can do a bit of everything, but if you're going to deploy that plan, you need to be effective at creating patterns of play that maximise the midfield's ball-progressing capabilities and the defensive shape. Especially if you're going to put Pogba in the pivot.
Ultimately, whether through failure to recruit (a Matic or an all-rounder) or if he's happy with personnel failure to come up with a system, the buck stops with the management for not having a midfield that functions as effectively as our title rivals.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 17 minutes ago
But who are these young Matics, or Robsons come to that?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We don't have the multi-million pound recruitment departments, scouting networks and data that a club like United has at its disposal. But over the years that we've been crying out for a midfield that can keep the ball better, dictate the tempo better, progress the ball faster we've seen the likes of Jorginho, Ndidi, Fabinho and Bellingham bought and sold. It's not an exact science picking the right player - or picking a player when he's ready to come to a club like United. But I don't think "there aren't any midfielders good enough" is an excuse. It's pretty clear by now (3 wingers, 3 centre forwards, 2 10s, 2 centre backs, 2 full backs and one attempt to sign Trippier later) that centre midfielders has been the club's very lowest priority.
posted on 20/9/21
...I would be more forgiving if we had tried and failed. At least LVG and Mourinho attempted (badly) to build a midfield.
posted on 20/9/21
To spin it slightly, at least they're whittling down the problem areas so we only have to talk about two now. We'd have had centre back and right wing in this discussion last year.
posted on 20/9/21
Matic can pass through the lines. Still can be great on his day but his legs have gone sadly
posted on 20/9/21
A 2014-15 Matic would certainly improve us quite a lot.
posted on 20/9/21
The only half decent midfielder we recruited in the last 10 years we let him run his contract down and go on a free to PSG. These are the clowns that are responsible for running the club.
posted on 20/9/21
Didn’t Ole just say he didn’t want specialist midfielders but ones who can do everything, like in his day?
posted on 20/9/21
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 35 seconds ago
Didn’t Ole just say he didn’t want specialist midfielders but ones who can do everything, like in his day?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think he meant more Robson and Keane than Kleberson and Djemba-Djemba though
posted on 20/9/21
The whole thing's just a Manchester United blindspot. The last truly excellent midfielder we bought was Carrick (maybe Hargreaves for that one terrific season as well).
posted on 20/9/21
comment by The Post Nearly Man. Ex Lion Tamer. (U1270)
posted 15 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 35 seconds ago
Didn’t Ole just say he didn’t want specialist midfielders but ones who can do everything, like in his day?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think he meant more Robson and Keane than Kleberson and Djemba-Djemba though
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Or Fred and Matic (I hope)
posted on 20/9/21
The pass that he made for Jesse's goal reminded me of Keane. When people talk about Keane they always seem to overlook the quality of his passing. He hardly ever lost the ball and whilst he didn't have the long range passing in his locker, he was very good at pinging in a crisp pass through the lines to set up quick attacks.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 1 hour, 15 minutes ago
I don’t watch much football outside of United so couldn’t really say but I don’t think you get midfielders like Robson these days, you seem to get more specialised midfielders rather than allrounders. I don’t hate McFred like a lot of United fans but I’d imagine there are far better midfielders out there who could improve us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bellingham looks pretty similar to Robbo from what I've seen of him.
posted on 20/9/21
Yeah he does seem like a very special player.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 5 minutes ago
The pass that he made for Jesse's goal reminded me of Keane. When people talk about Keane they always seem to overlook the quality of his passing. He hardly ever lost the ball and whilst he didn't have the long range passing in his locker, he was very good at pinging in a crisp pass through the lines to set up quick attacks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah. In his second book he says he used to fire passes at new players in training to try and find out if they were any good.
Agree with the Bellingham comparison, but if he's any near as good as Robbo was he'll be very special indeed
posted on 20/9/21
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 8 minutes ago
The pass that he made for Jesse's goal reminded me of Keane. When people talk about Keane they always seem to overlook the quality of his passing. He hardly ever lost the ball and whilst he didn't have the long range passing in his locker, he was very good at pinging in a crisp pass through the lines to set up quick attacks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
True. Keane’s passing was a mix of simplicity and momentum. He’d just keep attacks going, or rekindle them, by playing the right ball with a bit of fizz.
posted on 20/9/21
He played some good passes in his cameo yesterday but let’s be fair his performances these days mostly consist of laboured sideways passing, losing possession whenever pressurised and being non-existent when the opposition have it.
I didn’t particularly want him at the time we signed him and don’t think we should have given him the new 3 year deal.
He’s been decent in patches but overall he’s been a fairly poor signing.
The only saving grace was that Eric Dier was our first choice that summer.
posted on 20/9/21
I thought the VDB signing was supposed to go some way to resolving our midfield problems. He is either seen as a more attacking player (which I dont really see him as) or he simply wasn't as good as imagined.
Anyway, the midfield is our obvious priority for next summer. Matic and Fred aren't good enough, Pogba is flirting with leaving, VDB not looking good enough either. McT is useful, and he gives everything he has.
posted on 20/9/21
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 22 minutes ago
He played some good passes in his cameo yesterday but let’s be fair his performances these days mostly consist of laboured sideways passing, losing possession whenever pressurised and being non-existent when the opposition have it.
I didn’t particularly want him at the time we signed him and don’t think we should have given him the new 3 year deal.
He’s been decent in patches but overall he’s been a fairly poor signing.
The only saving grace was that Eric Dier was our first choice that summer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeh I think he was already past his prime when we signed him. He was a very influential player for a couple of seasons.
posted on 20/9/21
Matic has had 2 really good spells for us, when he first joined and leading up to getting his contract extension. At his best his passing can be very good, got loads of assists in the season before he joined us.
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