Some interesting takeaways from ETH during the Villa pre match conference… - Fred is essentially playing the role that he wants FDJ for, which he calls the connector. This probably means of FDJ does comes, Fred will be the backup to that and McT will be the 6 (which sucks). - Mentions he wishes he could give more youth players time but he needs to get the starting 11 sharp. Also about Hannibal he says he played well and is training well but there is a lot of competition in those places (which says to me he is behind the competition in whatever role ETH sees him in). - Hasn’t seen Garner play. Says he just integrated in with the squad and needs to see more of him before he can speak on him. - Says we need another forward and another midfielder this window. So sounds like RB is getting punted.
That’s not how I read it. He’s played with two 6s before where one stays at home and is the traditional 6 and one is a 6/8 hybrid aka FDJ aka connector. Edit: I guess you may be right. During the last few years at Ajax FDJ was the deepest back in the midfield as he played with Schone who tended to drift a little further forward.
We need a DM in the squad, Maybe more so with there being 5 subs - so teams throwing kitchen sink at us if we are winning. Need DM on the bench if nothing else - many teams have a couple, we got bagel. Sure they need to be intelligent and able to pass to fit EtH requirements, but out of possession we need the scanning, tracking, positioning and interceptions we just don’t get from “see ball, chase ball” McT & Fred. Characterising EtH as only playing #8s is wrong - he is more flexible than that. Edson Alvarez for example is the recent Ajax DM and he can also play CB (ie has good scanning, tracking, positioning, interceptions etc). When asked on the subject EtH said we have a list. Sure, FdJ is his overwhelming target, but if that doesn’t come off have to hope there is someone else on there. Going into the season only playing McT or Fred deep is clearly asking for trouble and would not be backing him - we have overwhelming history & evidence on that.
I'm not worried about a DM. The need for one is exagerated. If we press as a team and win the ball high, a DM will have nothing to do.
People talk about defenders as being either dogs or cats, and usually you have one of each, eg Rio & Vidic, or Ramos & Varane. With Ten Hag, he really likes having two dogs. Timber and Lisandro (aka the Pitbull) were both aggressive at cutting off passes to the front line or stepping up into defensive midfield positions to nip potential problems in the bud. Then you’ve got the fullbacks tucking into midfield alongside the 6, one of which potentially being Malacia (also aka the Pitbull). So you’re already getting a lot of the actions you expect of a traditional defensive DM from other parts of the team. This is part of what’s fun about watching Ten Hag’s plan reveal itself - I think it’s really educational seeing him defy preconceptions we as a fanbase generally have about how you can or can’t set a team up. Much as how Pep was out there signing wingers and 10s and playing them deeper in midfield, or signing midfielders and playing them at LB, or playing 10s as 9s.
From switching the dugouts to coming out in a suit with tshirt and trainers - pretty clear who is in charge. 1553845160991129601 is not a valid tweet id
🇿🇦 Erik has discussed @BenniMcCarthy17's role at United, and revealed how he will have an impact on more than just our strikers 🧠#MUFC— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 1, 2022
• Ronaldo left at halftime during the Rayo Vallecano gameTen Hag: "There were more who did this." • And you accepted this?Ten Hag: "Absolutely not. This is unacceptable. I tell them this, that's unacceptable. We are a team, we are a squad. You have to stay until the end." pic.twitter.com/Jj2RxjTOlu— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) August 3, 2022
https://www.skysports.com/football/...to-keep-him-at-old-trafford-says-former-coach Armas: "I think the most important thing is to engage with Cristiano."
I love ETH. He’s the first manager since SAF that gives off the “I am the most important person at United” vibe. Fall in line or sling it.
so did he sanction the early departures or not. it's not clear. and no reliable source on either side of the debate. either way i won't read too much into it. the media loves to make mountains out of mole hills for clicks
"Absolutely not. This is unacceptable. I tell them this, that's unacceptable." would suggest no he didn't.
Jose had a “it’s my way or I’ll destroy you” vibe. It was very combative. LvG had a director vibe. “Here’s how my program will be run, if you have questions talk to one of the other coaches”. He was less like a manager and more like the boss of a company. Really hands off and there was a gap between him and the players. ETH, in my opinion, has more of a leader vibe where you either fall in line or he is fine with you leaving. Jose was against the players that didn’t follow and LvG didn’t really have a relationship with them.
i saw E10H quotes on sky now. doesn't look good given players did not listen to Rangnick recently either. not sure why they thought they could or should. we'll see if they get disciplined for it
If you replaced the name with Fergie instead of Jose in your post it would make total sense and is valid. If you replaced the name LVG and put in Fergie in the second part of your post it would make total sense and is valid.
First major test for EtH. Will be interesting to see who plays up front on Sunday. The argument could be made for Ronaldo, Amad or Garnacho to be the player that comes into the first XI for Martial. Amad: least likely choice maybe but he's fit at least. Garnacho: less fit, not up to speed tactically, but will be a direct threat. Ronaldo: shit, old, but a known quantity. Will ******** everything up, but might score. I think I would play Rashford at ST, Amad at RW and Sancho at LW. Garnacho and Ronaldo as impact subs. I'd ask Amad and Rashford to play as though they'll only last 60 minutes and let Ronaldo and Garnacho have 30 minutes as impact subs. I don't want Elanga + a non-Martial CF on the pitch. Elanga's lack of technique and our lack of hold up play at CF will be very hard to overcome.
Twitter saying we want to play a false nine against Brighton. All of Hannibal's appearances have been as a false nine except against Rayo. My guess would be that Hannibal starts as a false nine then Ronaldo comes on.
Was generally happy with pre-season but with Cavani gone and Mason & Ronaldo unavailable I really thought we would see McNeil. He is 19 in September and Rashford made his debut age 18 & 3 months. Seemed really odd to not take a young striker to back up Martial and to go with the false #9 stuff.