AAABatteries said:
Ramsay Hunt Experience said:
OK, Man U fans. Raise your hands if you predicted that Young, Carrick, Fellaini, and Herrera would be key cogs in your rotation while Di Maria, Facao, and RVP (and Luke Shaw, I guess) would be afterthoughts.
Gotta give Butthead credit. Took him a while, but he makes tough decisions like a real big boy manager.
I've eaten crow on Young - never would have thought he would play a key role. I expected Carrick and Herrera to play important roles but never would imagine moreso than ADM, Falcao and RVP. I'm also kind of shocked that Valencia and Blind have been the LB/RB. It looks like Rafael is gone and LVG will need a new RB because I don't think Valencia is the long-term answer.
I've had faith that LvG is a good manager and I'm not sure if he didn't luck in to a side that caught fire at the right time. I don't see this current side (even with it's recent run) challenging for the title next year. I think the defense in particular need some changes - I'm not a believer in Smalling or Jones but I could see giving one or both of them more time to mature if Hummels is brought in to anchor the defense.
It will also be interesting to see if he will keep Rooney as a lone striker next year - I've never thought that was his best position. Always saw his as the 2nd forward in a 4-4-2 - so LvG will have to decide what to do with him if he sticks with 4-2-3-1 most of the time. He could play the middle of the 3 but I think he's lost a step to play on the wing and he's needed in front of goal IMO.
Now - nothing is settled but they look good for top-4 now which is a huge relief for most United fans.
I agree with most of this. Rooney is more active and just as good in front of goal as RVP and Falcao so I am not surprised he is doing well there. Falcao hasnt settled in and RVP is ready to move on. He hasnt looked good since his diving header at the WC. Although I think what we may see happen next season is Rooney drops into the Fellaini roll and another striker is brought in. Fellaini is dropped to the bench. Lets be honest here though, Fellaini is getting too much credit. Vs Pool and Tottenham he put in a good half and a bad half in each. vs AV he was terrible. Vs City he had 1 good play (the goal which Hart should have saved) and several terrible plays. He even passed the ball straight out of bounds. He has more fouls then good plays. BUT, the team is winning and looking good so sitting him is the wrong choice as well.
Young keeping ADM out of the lineup is surprising. Carrick, Herrera and Mata are not surprising. Mata on the wing is actually along with Blind and Valencia on the outsides. I am not sure why Rafael is out of favor but its working.
The best part with this is that outside of Blind and Herrera its the team Moyes used to finish 7th. LVG has already surpassed last season's point total and looks like United again. Hopefully thats the last we hear about this?
****
Great win yesterday, Carrick is supposed to be fit for Chelsea next weekend so lets hope the roll continues. Even if United win out I do not think they will catch Chelsea but that means at least a 2nd place finish.
that helped provide it.
(there was no bearded smiley guy with a cigarette so I went with that)
sucked to see them go down like that (as a neutral) after deserving points from the game.
