Post by Howdo on Feb 11, 2015 0:00:39 GMT 9.5
Rooney isn't a midfielder but I think Van Gaal is just accommodating him because of the two strikers we have. He just isn't a midfielder, not yet at least but he's still a top striker. Wish LvG would play him as one or as a no.10.
Herrera in my opinion is a class player and makes us tick in midfield when he plays. He has a lot of imagination and his quick passing game is superb. We've always looked much better when he's played but I think he's a little too adventurous for Van Gaal which is the reason he isn't playing.
Regarding the strikers, Falcao for whatever reason just isn't producing. It's also in a way understandable since he's coming back from a major injury and confidence must be at an all time low for him. He's putting in the miles but at this level that's not going to cut it sadly. Van Persie on the other hand I think has slowed down considerably, he doesn't affect the game nearly as much as he used to. When the ball comes to him, he's still lethal but we need more from our strikers than just sitting in the box, we need an Aguero, Harry Kane or Sturridge type character who is willing to work hard and score goals as well. With Van Persie it sometimes feels like we're playing with ten men.
As far as the defence goes Rojo and Shaw have been superb in my opinion, they've slotted in really well. As far as the right side is concerned its a different story, Rafael has been injured a lot so he's not done much and Valencia credit to him for what's he's done for us this season and last but he's not a right back and we need one soon. Chris Smalling has been good but ffs he gets injured every second game and Phil Jones seems good then he'll go and make a critical mistake which costs us a goal. The other day at West Ham, from the free kick that lead to the goal, Rooney was about to head the ball out and then Jones comes out of nowhere into a place he's not supposed to be in and takes Rooney out, fails to head the ball himself and it lands for Kouyate and we concede a goal. We need better than that.
David De Gea is a god, I have no doubt about that. Some very good news came out this week from Jorge Mendez that he's started his contract negotiations with United and intendeds to stay since he's very happy here. That to me is great news. Out defensive record might be good but that's only because of this man, we're in the top four when it comes to defensive errors but our defensive record is more than decent, that just goes to show how vital he is to us.
Sorry for rambling on. Can't help it, when it comes to United I can talk for hours and hours(won't do that though so don't worry).
Mendes ain't daft, if he can get a good contract for De Gea at 24, he'll get a lump sum for sorting that out, then in a year or so time when De Gea has 3/4 years left on his contract then it'll cost more for Madrid to buy him out of his contract with Mendes picking up a massive chunk of the transfer fee.
I've not really seen that much of Herrara to really judge him. Some games he has just gone missing and you forget he's actually playing, then another game he seems to be running the show, would like to see him get a good run in the team tho. If Rooney can go back to a striker and with either Blind or Carrick playing the defensive role in midfield there is a space for a creative midfielder through the middle we so need at the moment.