Give Lucas a new contract, now!

[Tee]

Hazard-----Gerrard-----Lucas----Bale

-----------Llorente-----Torres

Get it done NEVS

Fixed.

[einar]

It also has to be said that he is playing further back now. He seems to be becoming a holding midfielder and that seems to suit him better then playing in front of Mascher.

[Exiled_red]

you just know Roy hasnt the balls to do that though.

Fully expect stevie G to be back in the centre on his return, with Merieles on the right.

Me too. It's the way Roy works

[red g]

People who watched him give a series of top performances at the start of last season when he was, just like now, probably our best player?

I think he has massively come on from beginning of last season. I didn't rate him as a partnership with Masher just didn't work at all. As lucas was expected to be the creative one and it just didn't work ( the team around didn;t help) I think with Merieles there both are tidy yet unspectacular and keep the game flowing well.

[dww]

I think he has massively come on from beginning of last season. I didn't rate him as a partnership with Masher just didn't work at all. As lucas was expected to be the creative one and it just didn't work ( the team around didn;t help) I think with Merieles there both are tidy yet unspectacular and keep the game flowing well.

I still think that him and Mascherano, while not ideal, could have worked but required more from Gerrard and the wide players (and/or Aquilani in the Gerrard role). Sadly all of those were being rubbish last year or injured for large periods. Maxi and Kuyt this year have been good - tactically aware and capable of joining play in midfield.

I think Lucas and Mascherano in a similar vein to Lucas and Meireles could have kept the game flowing. I still think both partnerships either start things through ball winning in key areas (i.e. Lucas yesterday) or by using others. United have had teams like that at times in recent years.

[Roboklopp]

People who watched him give a series of top performances at the start of last season when he was, just like now, probably our best player?

That's not "18 months ago" though is it? That's my point- he's really come on in the last seaon & a half.

As far as last season is concerned though, Id say he was often there or thereabouts along with Masher, but it was in a best of the worst sense. I wouldnt say they were "top" performances. As above, I think he has really flourished this year, rather than looking just a solid defensive player,he looks much more progressive- & much more like he could have the real box-to-box talent he showed at Gremio. Do you not think his progress has been more marked & balanced this season especially?

Just chatting with a bloke at work about him as it happens. Am wondering how the balance with Masher wouldve worked this year- presonally I think he really benefits from having another more progressive player nect ot him in Raul.

[Roboklopp]

I still think that him and Mascherano, while not ideal, could have worked but required more from Gerrard and the wide players (and/or Aquilani in the Gerrard role). Sadly all of those were being rubbish last year or injured for large periods. Maxi and Kuyt this year have been good - tactically aware and capable of joining play in midfield.

I think Lucas and Mascherano in a similar vein to Lucas and Meireles could have kept the game flowing. I still think both partnerships either start things through ball winning in key areas (i.e. Lucas yesterday) or by using others. United have had teams like that at times in recent years.

You've kind of answered my last question in that fairly well. People have been saying for a while about Masher being an world class DM, but that puts to empahasis on his partner to create too much. I suppose it is obvious that a less specialist balance favours a less specialist player such as Lucas against the more obviously creative Xabi alongside the more obviously defensive Masher.

[red g]

I still think that him and Mascherano, while not ideal, could have worked but required more from Gerrard and the wide players (and/or Aquilani in the Gerrard role). Sadly all of those were being rubbish last year or injured for large periods. Maxi and Kuyt this year have been good - tactically aware and capable of joining play in midfield.

I think Lucas and Mascherano in a similar vein to Lucas and Meireles could have kept the game flowing. I still think both partnerships either start things through ball winning in key areas (i.e. Lucas yesterday) or by using others. United have had teams like that at times in recent years.

Maybe Hodgson's simpler tactics and formation help but I also think Lucas shoulders a lot more responsibility when the big guns dont play over the years some of his best games have been without Masher/Alonso/Gerrard around. Think that could be an age thing and he seems to now be stepping upto the plate and taking a more senior role in the team

[Arn]

I still think that him and Mascherano, while not ideal, could have worked but required more from Gerrard and the wide players (and/or Aquilani in the Gerrard role). Sadly all of those were being rubbish last year or injured for large periods. Maxi and Kuyt this year have been good - tactically aware and capable of joining play in midfield.

I think Lucas and Mascherano in a similar vein to Lucas and Meireles could have kept the game flowing. I still think both partnerships either start things through ball winning in key areas (i.e. Lucas yesterday) or by using others. United have had teams like that at times in recent years.

You don't need to be a genius to understand how Rafa wanted us to play but almost never got a chance to do it.

Lucas and Masch in the middle. Two great defensive players that also defends the wings when Johnson and Insua attacked. Agger helping out from the defence almost making it a three man defensive midfield.

Gerrard in a free position behind Torres and two other second strikers out wide.

Aquilani would have been able to cover for Gerrard when needed and also played instead of one of Lucas and Mascherano to make the team more attacking at home or when we needed a goal.

Shame that injuries stopped that

[Imy]

You don't need to be a genius to understand how Rafa wanted us to play but almost never got a chance to do it.

Lucas and Masch in the middle. Two great defensive players that also defends the wings when Johnson and Insua attacked. Agger helping out from the defence almost making it a three man defensive midfield.

Gerrard in a free position behind Torres and two other second strikers out wide.

Aquilani would have been able to cover for Gerrard when needed and also played instead of one of Lucas and Mascherano to make the team more attacking at home or when we needed a goal.

Shame that injuries stopped that

Rafa and every manager after Dalglish has failed to buy consistently good widemen.

[kingfunk]

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!! Rafa is gone.... Who is getting the best from Lucas???? Not Rafa. All this injurys bla bla bla he must be the most unluckiest manager to have graced the earth..... Apart from the champions league final 2005. Let it go ffs.

[Arn]

NEWS FLASH!!!!!!!!!!! Rafa is gone.... Who is getting the best from Lucas???? Not Rafa. All this injurys bla bla bla he must be the most unluckiest manager to have graced the earth..... Apart from the champions league final 2005. Let it go ffs.

Oh please **** off. When you talk about Lucas then Rafa will be a part of the discussion.

Why is Lucas now playing much better? The answer is that RAFA played him almost in every game. That means that a young player played a lot of games and developed because of that.

Would happen to a lot of other young players if they got the same chance to play a lot of games.

[danperkins]

So with 6 months left on his deal, we would 'cash in' ?

It'd be a daft thing to do.

He should be given a one-year extension, without doubt.

Will he want just a one year extension is the question.

[danperkins]

Oh please **** off. When you talk about Lucas then Rafa will be a part of the discussion.

Why is Lucas now playing much better? The answer is that RAFA played him almost in every game. That means that a young player played a lot of games and developed because of that.

Would happen to a lot of other young players if they got the same chance to play a lot of games.

[Craig_H]

Will he want just a one year extension is the question.

Well offering him one would be a far wiser decision than trying to 'cash in' on a 30 year old who has 6 months left on his contract, and is free to speak to foreign clubs over a Bosman.