Our defence

[VillaTim]

Carlos is horrific. Needs replacing.

And no lengthy post referencing statistics about our defensive line-ups in the last season or two is going to change my mind on that.

Torres was worse today

[Accent Guy]

Our defence, whilst not absolved of all blame, are getting hung out to dry by our woeful midfield. The sooner we get Kamara back the better we will be defensively.

Tielemans was like a statue against Palace and cost us the points with his half arsed display. Need players back asap.

[Monty]

I wouldn't say the midfield is 'woeful' exactly, it's just incoherent. Some of that's on the players, some of that's on the shape. Both need to change.

[Villan82]

I wouldn't say the midfield is 'woeful' exactly, it's just incoherent. Some of that's on the players, some of that's on the shape. Both need to change.

Kamara and Luiz was the foundation the team was built on one year ago. One has left and the other has been injured. Replacing what they brought to the team has been our biggest challenge. I am hoping Youri or Onana will flourish along with Kamara whenever he comes back.

[Monty]

I wouldn't say the midfield is 'woeful' exactly, it's just incoherent. Some of that's on the players, some of that's on the shape. Both need to change.

Kamara and Luiz was the foundation the team was built on one year ago. One has left and the other has been injured. Replacing what they brought to the team has been our biggest challenge. I am hoping Youri or Onana will flourish along with Kamara whenever he comes back.

Bah, I'm posting the same thing on every thread! But it's the balance, Tielemans playing as Riquelme but from a nominal starting 6 position (or rather a FOUR, as God intended). We need to go back to our more patient midfield build-up style or we'll continue to give it away too frequently.

[Drummond]

I think it's about different players and systems for different games. Patient works sometimes, and fails spectacularly at others.

[Demitri_C]

Youri isnt scoring enough goals for us either. Thats a problem

[Ads]

Think about that winner at Spurs last season. You had Tielemans able to thread his eye of the needle ball, safe in the knowledge that Kamara was going to hoover up absolutely everything and possession would recycle quicker/space would be denied. Tielemans is excellent, he has been our best player this season. Form has dipped a bit, but he needs that help in the middle.

[Mister E]

As I said in the post-match thread, Mings alongside Torres and Konsa seems like an obvious defensive set-up to me, with Onana and Kamara ahead of them. With those 5 forming a solid core, we have more licence to exploit the wide areas as well as covering the current gaps.

[Steve kirk]

As I said in the post-match thread, Mings alongside Torres and Konsa seems like an obvious defensive set-up to me, with Onana and Kamara ahead of them. With those 5 forming a solid core, we have more licence to exploit the wide areas as well as covering the current gaps.

100% agree, it would make us so much more solid, we can’t keep shipping goals at this rate and expect to finish in the European places.

[nick harper]

As I said in the post-match thread, Mings alongside Torres and Konsa seems like an obvious defensive set-up to me, with Onana and Kamara ahead of them. With those 5 forming a solid core, we have more licence to exploit the wide areas as well as covering the current gaps.

He’s never played a 3 at the back as a manager has he, unless you mean Konsa back at right back. We actually have the personnel to play the 3-4-3 that the new Man U manager plays, but Unai seems very wedded to 4-4-2.

[ChicagoLion]

As I said in the post-match thread, Mings alongside Torres and Konsa seems like an obvious defensive set-up to me, with Onana and Kamara ahead of them. With those 5 forming a solid core, we have more licence to exploit the wide areas as well as covering the current gaps.

He’s never played a 3 at the back as a manager has he, unless you mean Konsa back at right back. We actually have the personnel to play the 3-4-3 that the new Man U manager plays, but Unai seems very wedded to 4-4-2.

good

[Demitri_C]

As I said in the post-match thread, Mings alongside Torres and Konsa seems like an obvious defensive set-up to me, with Onana and Kamara ahead of them. With those 5 forming a solid core, we have more licence to exploit the wide areas as well as covering the current gaps.

He’s never played a 3 at the back as a manager has he, unless you mean Konsa back at right back. We actually have the personnel to play the 3-4-3 that the new Man U manager plays, but Unai seems very wedded to 4-4-2.

I swear he did against spurs at villa
Park last season where spurs battered us 4-0?

[Nii Lamptey]

Our problem yesterday was that neither Tielemans or Barkley were covering the DM position (or at least not covering it effectively).

By playing a ridiculously out of form Rogers behind Watkins, we are essentially a man down in midfield. Against Juve, I think Rogers should either be dropped or played on left wing, with that #10 role replaced by a DM (*possibly McGinn based on who is fit), who doesn't move from in front of the centre backs, freeing up Barkley and Tielemans to do their stuff up the pitch.

I'd also bring Mings in for Torres - Stronger and much more vocal. Give Pau a few weeks with some home cooked meals, protein powder, and be locked in the gym.

[Mister E]

As I said in the post-match thread, Mings alongside Torres and Konsa seems like an obvious defensive set-up to me, with Onana and Kamara ahead of them. With those 5 forming a solid core, we have more licence to exploit the wide areas as well as covering the current gaps.

He’s never played a 3 at the back as a manager has he, unless you mean Konsa back at right back. We actually have the personnel to play the 3-4-3 that the new Man U manager plays, but Unai seems very wedded to 4-4-2.

we play 3 at the back whenever the ball is moved upfield, with one fullback pushed up.  Several teams play 3 CB, with 2 attacking wingbacks. We have the personnel to make it work.