Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi

Originally Posted by Tiberian

How many CB's in the world are there who will do something after a charge forward? Hummels? Who in the PL? Vertonghen maybe but he is a step down in his defensive ability, Koscielny might be the best in the league at this stage but even in a passing team he keeps it simple the majority of the time.

Blind has the potential if he shows he can cope physically over a full season.

Then why do it?

Who did we have at centre back last year at Stamford Bridge, Smalling and Evans wasn't it? Mourinho was letting them bring it 40 yards upfield without a single challenge. Why, because if you are him you want those two players as high up the field as possible with the ball at their feet; firstly because they can't hurt you, secondly because it means someone you do fear has to stay back and cover for them, and thirdly your chance of nicking possession and breaking quickly while the regular defender is caught out of position is significantly increased.

McNair played at Stamford Bridge I think

Originally Posted by Tiberian

It is unreliable, but then Vidic was not significantly better, short passes to Scholes or bunt it long under pressure were his typical choices.

He is a very talented out and out defender, very few out there to match his physical gifts, great in the air but also very quick and agile. His reading of the game is improving all the time and the addition of Darmian is making his job easier. Too often last season he was pulled out of the middle because of Valencia being out of position. Keep working on his distribution but do not over complicate his job.

The width on that side comes from the right back. mata can be freed on the right, but mostly he's relying on darmian (valencia last season) getting outside him to give him space. part of the centreback's job is to cover behind him. you can't excuse him for being shit at it by blaming the right back. we had this debate for years on the left with Evra, as if people only noticed how much he got caught upfield when vidic wasn't in the side to sweep behind him (expertly) and one of the others had to try and do it.

Signed for the divs on a 5 year deal.

Originally Posted by Chorlton74

Signed for the divs on a 5 year deal.

Originally Posted by Chorlton74

Signed for the divs on a 5 year deal.

These summer transfer threads are going blindingly well.

Originally Posted by Sparky***

These summer transfer threads are going blindingly well.

All we need now is for Sadio Made to sign for Arsenal...

Originally Posted by PeakyBlinder

All we need now is for Sadio Made to sign for Arsenal...

Looks like Chelsea and City are running scared

Originally Posted by Switching Off

Looks like Chelsea and City are running scared

Not sure if serious

Originally Posted by Sparky***

These summer transfer threads are going blindingly well.

The Schweinsteiger, schneiderlin, Memphis, darmian threads went well tbf

Originally Posted by Harfynn Teuport

The Schweinsteiger, schneiderlin, Memphis, darmian threads went well tbf

Probably had less posts combined than one of the failed transfer threads

Originally Posted by Harfynn Teuport

The Schweinsteiger, schneiderlin, Memphis, darmian threads went well tbf

All off elsewhere iirc

The Munich chanting scumbags will think they have got one over on us.

The @#%&!s.

Originally Posted by Jethro

All off elsewhere iirc

http://www.utdforum.com/forum/showpo...&postcount=147

Originally Posted by innit

The Munich chanting scumbags will think they have got one over on us.

The @#%&!s.

Why do you continue the pretence you're a Utd fan? It's pitiful to see.

Originally Posted by atticusgrinch

Why do you continue the pretence you're a Utd fan? It's pitiful to see.

You're joking right

Originally Posted by utd99

Then why do it?

Who did we have at centre back last year at Stamford Bridge, Smalling and Evans wasn't it? Mourinho was letting them bring it 40 yards upfield without a single challenge. Why, because if you are him you want those two players as high up the field as possible with the ball at their feet; firstly because they can't hurt you, secondly because it means someone you do fear has to stay back and cover for them, and thirdly your chance of nicking possession and breaking quickly while the regular defender is caught out of position is significantly increased.

Obvious.

To provoke the defending team to engage, that alters their shape & allows the rest of the United midfield or attack in general to find a pocket of space. & that's the margins of any game at the highest level, teams desperately want to retain their shape at all costs. Jose's Inter actively gave the ball away so they could retain their defensive shape at all costs, provoking ever more desperation in the opposition & then killing them with a single attack.

It's pretty shit to watch mind.

re. Otamendi - obviously not the kind of centre back Louis desires, he's also not going to help City become a better footballing side. May be more solid though, but if they are pressed & forced to pass out they'll £#%&! that up as well.

Expensive & dodgy transfer anyway, his buy-out clauses over the last two seasons have raised a few eyebrows.