Manchester United splashed record sum to secure their transfer targets this summer and although they have lured top players but their midfield and defense have no depth whatsoever, never mind quality.
Adding to that, with so many new arrivals, Louis van Gaal may have dragged Man United into a new dilemma.
Mentioning the already present ones first. Man United have three world class strikers in the form of Falcao, Rooney and Robin van Persie, however they do not have even three top center backs while the depth is nonexistent as well.
On the other hand, failure to reinforce midfield probably means that Daley Blind is likely to play as a central defensive midfielder alongside Herrera. Carrick is a decent deep lying playmaker but never a strong holding midfielder while Fletcher is past his best.
Nevertheless, the new puzzle might even be the major concern for the Red Devils. Lots of new players in a completely new 3-4-1-2 system and a manager who believes in it a little too much.
Angel Di Maria has been a brilliant winger as well as CAM but never played as a wingback, Will he be playing there? If not, then will he replace Mata in the starting XI or both will play as AM to sacrifice midfield, something that happened against Burnley and did not work well and surely cannot be used against strong opposition.
Radamel Falcao has normally played as a lone striker upfront, moved to either side in striker’s position waiting for the final ball to score. Even for Atletico Madrid, Diego Costa used to play wider when the Colombian was around. Will take some time to settle with 2 upfront. Moreover what happens when Robin van Persie returns from injury.
Blind was one of World Cup’s players of the tournament, mainly playing as a Left Wing Back. Same is the case with Rojo who was effective as LB for Argentina but in Luke Shaw’s presence, they may have to play as CB/CDM for the England international to play as LWB.
To sum it all up, United might have secured top players but new roles and not sure of the best XI creates a big dilemma that may make CL qualification as hard as it was last season.
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Manchester United Dragged into a New Dilemma
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I’m pretty sure united is complete and the defensive trio of jones-Rojo-blackett will surprise everybody with blind and herrera forming great partners they could make past the top four u were thinking
Don’t mind the forward van-gaal is a top manager…and he’ll know what to do
I just hope Manchester united will produce better results this time following the arrival of Radamel Falcao
The defenders: Rafael, Jones, Smalling, Evans, Rojo, Blakett, Shaw, Blind
I accept that Blind will probably be used a defensive Midfield player (a role he played for Ajax last season) but he is available as cover. Shaw, at 6′ 1″ could easily play as part of a back 3, along with Rojo and Jones. People have written off Jones, Smalling and Evans but forget a couple of key points:
-They have had very disruptive seasons lately because of injury and competition for places (Rio, Vidic, Evra)
-The have never had a run, playing at CB consistently, to form a partnership or solid unit
-You could drive a coach and four thru Utd’s central midfield last season and this exposed the defence wholesale and made them look worse than they are.
Blind and Herrera (with Carric and Fletcher) will be solid in CM while the attacking options speak for themselves and will terrorise opponents. I’ve no idea where your negativity is coming from…..
I understand all that positivity coming from you as a fan but perhaps you are thinking in a little too overly positive manner.
Smalling Evans Jones have done enough to prove themselves as decent defenders but nothing to suggest that they are World Class defenders and more importantly Defensive Leader. That is the reason why majority (if not you) were asking for the likes of Hummels, Mangala etc after losing Vidic and Ferdinand. Rojo mainly played as CB for Sporting but its his performances as LB for Argentina that attracted interest, same goes for Blind who was brilliant as LWB.
Now, while playing three at the back and with not so brilliant defenders, United needed a strong holding midfielder and I do not see that in Blind and perhaps even Van Gaal who always preferred and reiterated the importance of Nigel de Jong. Herrera and Carrick may form a decent creative partnership but will not help the defense much. Hence everyone was demanding a complete midfielder in Arturo Vidal.
Not saying that its all shambles for United at the back and midfield but compare it with the likes of those challenging United for top 4, you get these are the departments that will again be the reason if United fail to qualify for CL again.