I’m sure there were many of us but the re-emergence of Manu Lanzini against Burnley was more than just a “didn’t he do well” moment.
The Argentine was in amazing form after a lack lustre several months which has seen him listed as a serious candidate for a West Ham exit this summer.
Instead we discovered that we have a natural midfield replacement in midfield for the likes of Declan and Tomas and now perhaps have no need to splash limited amounts of cash in that area.
We were all worried that with Mark Noble as seemingly the only player who could cover in that are, our rest of the season was standing on very delicate ground.
Instead Manu produced a near perfect performance demonstrating that class is permanent – this looked to be more than a one off display.
He needs an extended run in the team now and as mentioned previously maybe Declan can have another week to rec9ver with Everton coming up on Sunday.
Either way Manu looked like a new signing when he appeared on Monday night and really does look set to save some much needed funds in the summer window.
Manu. is a talent as we know. A crunching tackle is not always a help – clever players stand up and make the opposition play. Where he is very good is speed in transition both ways. Bring others in quickly, play the ball accurately. Still a good player.
Manu is not a defensive midfielder so not really a replacement for Rice or Soucek BUT playing with them in a different formation with 3 in the middle, he can offer much needed pace out of defence like he showed against Burnley.
Everton played reasonably well against AV. Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison will challenge our defence but we should dominate overall. Great opportunity for Lanzini to show.
Pickford was in fine form but AV were without Grealish, otherwise it might have been a blood letting.
Replacement?? ..no not for me ..I like manu but one game isn’t enough to say he can back them up…as others have said he is attacking not defensive….rice and Thomas are irreplaceable imo ,,so sadly for Sullivan and Co, money needs to be spent in a few area’s…2 strikers and midfielder at the very least
Replacement as in cover should they be injured or suspended
Exactly. Keep Manu at West Ham in the same role as he played against Burnley. He looked more than comfortable and is a trade-up on Noble in that position. I said that yesterday on this site and see no reason to change my view.
A brilliant move by DM. If Bazmati isn’t 100% recovered should only be a bench warmer at most to not risk further injury. After this spate of walking wounded it’s great to have surprising options.
He isn’t a defensive midfield replacement though; we need someone in there who can tackle when Dec or Tomas isn’t available. He has had a good game, granted, but do people really see him as a back-up? I’d be interested to know. I’m afraid I don’t but let’s judge after more than one game.
He’s cover tho
The player is a genius and always has been, credit to Moyes for his selection. I just hope now that Moyes gives him more game time as I for one would be very sorry to see this player leave the club. He has so much to offer in terms of the team. A spot on article and he just gives us so much more forward thinking from that role. I would not be any way critical of Manu if his performance in the next game dropped slightly as he has seen little game time. Anyone who has played the game knows game time sharpens the mind and the body.
Im hoping john lundstram on a free transfer will fill the need and allow us to spend money elsewhere. Not a glamorous pick, but a defensive midfielder, who moyes knows, at a good age and wage.
I do like Lundstram on a free but I would still100% keep Lanzini, the reason against teams in the bottom half we can afford to play a creative player in CM and for me Lanzini has more creativity than any of our CM’s.