Don’t get us wrong. We are all for homegrown talent.
And you have to hand it to Louis van Gaal in terms of the bravery he has shown in playing virtual unknowns in big games. Varela, Blackett, McNair, Borthwick-Jackson and Nick Powell have all gained what will surely be vital experience in big games this season thanks to the Dutchman.
But one element of this which totally baffles us is the continued selection of Jesse Lingard.
While the raw but jet-heeled Memphis rots on the bench, the ineffectual Lingard is an almost guaranteed starter these days.
Let’s not forget that Memphis too is just a kid of 21. Yet the policy of giving youngsters experience doesn’t seem to extend to him.
Lingard seems to be having less and less impact with each game. And can you honestly imagine him starting in a Champions League final?
I can’t remember a decent cross that he has put in over the last month. Nor can I remember a breathtaking run down the wing where he has beaten a man with guile or pace. And I have watched every minute of every Manchester United game.
I do remember a terrible miss against Newcastle and a poor lobbed attempt at Old Trafford earlier in the season which seemed easier to score than miss.
That’s about it.
The funny thing is that many a pundit and Manchester United observer has pointed out that Lingard gets in the team because, unlike Memphis, he defends well.
And there, in a nutshell, is the entire problem with Manchester United under Louis van Gaal.
He plays 5 defenders, two defensive midfielders and drops his forwards when they refuse to defend. And we wonder why Manchester United have only scored 28 goals in the league all season.
Memphis is a rubbish defender. But he wasn’t bought to defend. Sure, against Barcelona or Bayern it’s all hands to the pumps at times and the Dutchman would have to do his part.
But his job is to do damage at the other end. And if he was allowed to do that then perhaps Manchester United wouldn’t be in this dreadful, gloomy situation. The same happened with Angel di Maria and Manchester United would surely be a better team with than without the Argentine.
It’s patently obvious that Memphis should be playing up top with Rooney and Martial. But we feel LvG is ruining the confidence of a great young talent.
Red
Jan 29, 2016 at 2:05 am
I take it you haven’t actually watched Depay play? He’s certainly no world beater. Lingard has consistently performed for United when given the opportunity. This is a terrible article!
Kenchi
Jan 29, 2016 at 4:40 am
I’d rather have Depay flunk all season than to have talentless Lingard roam aimlessly along d flanks with his lack of imagination. Lingard can fill d void created by som of our choice defenders. I take it u have not followed on wat became of Di Maria? LVG’s “fail-osophy” stifles d talent out of even d greatest recruits. Depay is equally unfortunate 2 b treading down LVG’s abyss. If Lingard is his answer to Depay’s failure then Mr Dead Wood-worth’s failure 2 sack ‘Van dull’ means he shud prepare 4 d demise of a once great club on his watch!
denis
Jan 31, 2016 at 1:58 am
memphis was given his opportunity but failed miserably. … neither do I support him starting lingard who has let the team many times…. It baffles me that van gal has failed to give pereira a chance. … another pogba case