The Manchester United Thread
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Lol that means nothing.
why would he leave Newcastle though and go to Man Utd? Newcastle are only 1 point behind Utd, Fellaini has had a torrid time since his switch. There's absolutely no guarantee Cabaye would want to go to Man Utd tbh when there's going to be so many other offers, namely Arsenal who right now are in a much stronger position
Arsenal come in last window, if they were that serious they would of had him by now. If United came in with a concrete offer, anyone with any sense knows this is one of the worst seasons United have had in a **** of a long time.
But the fact is we're in a transition period, what's he going to gain at Newcastle.... Europe League possible, not much else. Next summer I'm pretty convinced we're going to spend big and get the players we need.
Also pretty sure being the main man in our midfield playing at Old Trafford is a bit more tempting. This is a blip for us, Newcastle are having a good season for them and still won't make top 4.
That's unfair on Newcastle tbh. There's absolutey no guarantee they won't make top 4-they're only 7 points behind. It's extremely tight right now and ultra competitive and there's a long way to go until the end
Manchester United's pretty passing offset by defensive errors at Chelsea
David Moyes may wonder what more he could have done, with his side playing good football and Adnan Januzaj causing problems down the left, but sloppiness at the back is the issue
David Luiz, left, challenges Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj, who caused Chelsea problems at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Sang Tan/AP
David Moyes has unquestionably made mistakes as the Manchester United manager but in the aftermath of this defeat he must have reflected on his decisions and wondered what he could have done differently.
Throughout the first half United played good football, entering the final third readily and putting together some decent passing moves, particularly down the left. The difference was in the penalty areas, whereChelsea were more clinical in front of goal and more solid at the back.
United started extremely brightly, closing down high up the pitch and dominating possession within Chelsea's half. They found gaps between the lines, with Jos? Mourinho roaring at David Luiz to sit deeper and help protect the defence. Chelsea lacked a reliable defensive midfielder and someone who could play calm passes under pressure, the precise roles in which the ?21m signing Nemanja Matic specialises.
The most significant feature of United's play was the positioning of Adnan Januzaj, who played high up the pitch alongside Danny Welbeck. It was not uncommon to see Welbeck dropping off into deeper positions to pressure David Luiz or Ramires, while Januzaj drifted towards the left as United's most advanced attacker.
Danny Welbeck dropped into midfield, leaving Adnan Januzaj highest up the pitch, which caused problems towards the left for Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill
Januzaj was crucial in United's numerical superiority on the left, a key feature of Moyes's coaching philosophy. United created various chances down that flank. Ashley Young had a shot saved by Petr Cech after a one-two with Welbeck and Patrice Evra fired into the side-netting. Much of United's play revolved around Januzaj: he intelligently squared for Welbeck, who got the ball under his feet amid pressure from C?sar Azpilicueta, before the 18-year-old hit a ball across the six-yard box, with no United attacker arriving at the far post.
United's profligacy is partly the result of them lacking their first‑choice strike partnership but there are no excuses for the frailties at the back. They conceded three goals without Chelsea penetrating in open play. Although the first goal was unfortunate, United's set‑piece defending for Samuel Eto'o's subsequent strikes was astonishingly bad, a simple case of not moving as a unit and poor marking. For that experienced players must take responsibility for individual mistakes, even if the consistent sloppiness suggests wider problems with concentration.
That was the difference between the sides. While he is renowned as an astute tactician, there is usually little surprising or revolutionary about Mourinho's approach. He simply carries out standard tactics with devastating efficiency because his players are focused, committed and fully understand their responsibilities.
Moyes could pinpoint his selection decisions here, in particular the role of Januzaj, as the reason United caused problems in the first half. Peculiarly, United's main weakness is their lack of class in midfield. Here they dominated the centre but lacked quality at both ends.
David Moyes may wonder what more he could have done, with his side playing good football and Adnan Januzaj causing problems down the left, but sloppiness at the back is the issue
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- Michael ***
- The Guardian, Sunday 19 January 2014 19.39 GMT
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David Luiz, left, challenges Manchester United's Adnan Januzaj, who caused Chelsea problems at Stamford Bridge. Photograph: Sang Tan/AP
David Moyes has unquestionably made mistakes as the Manchester United manager but in the aftermath of this defeat he must have reflected on his decisions and wondered what he could have done differently.
Throughout the first half United played good football, entering the final third readily and putting together some decent passing moves, particularly down the left. The difference was in the penalty areas, whereChelsea were more clinical in front of goal and more solid at the back.
United started extremely brightly, closing down high up the pitch and dominating possession within Chelsea's half. They found gaps between the lines, with Jos? Mourinho roaring at David Luiz to sit deeper and help protect the defence. Chelsea lacked a reliable defensive midfielder and someone who could play calm passes under pressure, the precise roles in which the ?21m signing Nemanja Matic specialises.
The most significant feature of United's play was the positioning of Adnan Januzaj, who played high up the pitch alongside Danny Welbeck. It was not uncommon to see Welbeck dropping off into deeper positions to pressure David Luiz or Ramires, while Januzaj drifted towards the left as United's most advanced attacker.
Danny Welbeck dropped into midfield, leaving Adnan Januzaj highest up the pitch, which caused problems towards the left for Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill
Januzaj was crucial in United's numerical superiority on the left, a key feature of Moyes's coaching philosophy. United created various chances down that flank. Ashley Young had a shot saved by Petr Cech after a one-two with Welbeck and Patrice Evra fired into the side-netting. Much of United's play revolved around Januzaj: he intelligently squared for Welbeck, who got the ball under his feet amid pressure from C?sar Azpilicueta, before the 18-year-old hit a ball across the six-yard box, with no United attacker arriving at the far post.
United's profligacy is partly the result of them lacking their first‑choice strike partnership but there are no excuses for the frailties at the back. They conceded three goals without Chelsea penetrating in open play. Although the first goal was unfortunate, United's set‑piece defending for Samuel Eto'o's subsequent strikes was astonishingly bad, a simple case of not moving as a unit and poor marking. For that experienced players must take responsibility for individual mistakes, even if the consistent sloppiness suggests wider problems with concentration.
That was the difference between the sides. While he is renowned as an astute tactician, there is usually little surprising or revolutionary about Mourinho's approach. He simply carries out standard tactics with devastating efficiency because his players are focused, committed and fully understand their responsibilities.
Moyes could pinpoint his selection decisions here, in particular the role of Januzaj, as the reason United caused problems in the first half. Peculiarly, United's main weakness is their lack of class in midfield. Here they dominated the centre but lacked quality at both ends.
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iNickStuff
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I think this was one of those days where Young had more to give than Valencia. Played fairly well before being substituted.
Haven't I heard that before, only for it to be broken? It was a Premier League player, but I can't remember his name. Su?rez maybe? Not sure.
Haven't I heard that before, only for it to be broken? It was a Premier League player, but I can't remember his name. Su?rez maybe? Not sure.
Not sure tbh. wouldn't be surprised if it was though-sort of person he is
But the agreement was also disclosed by someone from NUFC to the Evening Chronicle so if Utd and Arsenal put in bids they'd be flat out rejected
I think young was pretty decent today and I was happy to see him subbed off as I thought he looked like one of utds biggest threats. That Javier Hernandez loves a goal at Stamford bridge doesn't he! Wouldn't mind him scoring at the bridge regular wearing blue 
Seriously, I know they're currently in trouble but its still United.
Yeah. But it would be refreshing to see someone keep their word in an agreement, and it would be great (from a local perspective) if he was involved in getting Newcastle into the CL (potentially). Besides, what if Arsenal won the Prem instead of city (which would make my day). Which club would be better then-Utd or Arsenal. By waiting til the summer he can way up his options and if NUFC made it into CL, they'd have money from that, money from Cabaye transfer. All ifs and buts of course, but potentially could happen.
Ok even if not Cabaye, why can't we get Rakitic from Sevilla, he's a player who has great vision, an eye for a pass and great hair. We really should get someone in this window, for me both of those are viable options if we can be bothered to do it. If we were willing to spend a bit more perhaps Pjanic. But it would give the whole club a boost and not to mention a midfielder who would actually be able to play smart creative passes forward.
8 in 11 for Hernandez against you lot!I think young was pretty decent today and I was happy to see him subbed off as I thought he looked like one of utds biggest threats. That Javier Hernandez loves a goal at Stamford bridge doesn't he! Wouldn't mind him scoring at the bridge regular wearing blue
Agree, but the club are keeping pretty quiet, we will just have to see.
Dont I know it!!! Fantastic little striker he is.
I think young was pretty decent today and I was happy to see him subbed off as I thought he looked like one of utds biggest threats. That Javier Hernandez loves a goal at Stamford bridge doesn't he! Wouldn't mind him scoring at the bridge regular wearing blue
I had 2 worries going into the game today, when Rooney and RVP were ruled out i wasn't that much more confident because our two thorns in recent times have been Valencia and Hernandez. And when Jose said on Friday that Ivanovic wouldn't start so Valencia up against Cole again did make me nervous. But soon as i saw the teamsheet and saw that Brana was playing so Azpi could go to left back and Hernandez wasn't starting i was very confident. I know the Utd fans who are backing Moyes are correct 100% but he made 1 major **** up today in not starting Hernandez.
Have a gut feeling the stress levels of Utd fans will go through the roof in the final hours of the window