The Manchester United Thread
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razielioux
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Correct, but for me the empty wallet doesn't mean I'm worse than someone using 500€ as toilet paper.
Have to say, very much surprised with Blind's performance as a CB. I always doubt him when the teamsheets are out but he is playing really well and his composure, passing ability, positioning, game intelligence is a big asset at the back.
Hopefully he will add lot more muscle, he has improved in that area but he should be even more stronger.
Hopefully he will add lot more muscle, he has improved in that area but he should be even more stronger.
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iNickStuff
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Still remember the height argument when it came out that Van Gaal will be opting for Blind in central defence. How not being over 6'0" all of a sudden means you cannot perform as well as someone who is.
Then Blind deals with Benteke in a way that all but nullifies him, despite being four inches shorter.
Then Blind deals with Benteke in a way that all but nullifies him, despite being four inches shorter.
Scouseinthehouse
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With a complete lack of service and support, I'd of fancied my chances of dealing with Benteke on his island Sat'day.
You can only play what's in front of you and Blind did all that was asked. But there's a lot more needs to be taken into consideration when Utd had next to nottin' to defend.
razielioux
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I agree with you (there is gonna be a big BUT later), Blind does a decent job as a CB and we're lucky to have such a versatile player - I tell you guys I would try him as a striker on Tuesday. 
Who knows?
BUT, we all must admit that 'Pool didn't actually exploited the height and significant strenght difference between Blind and Benteke. I would have operated with a wider play from the flanks (not knowing we have the best FBs in the league) with crosses aiming Bentekes bowling ball sized head.
Anyway, was glad to see excellent individual performances and a great team effort. Against PSV the two changes I'd make is to swap Carrick with Schneiderlin and Fellaini with Martial.
Who knows?BUT, we all must admit that 'Pool didn't actually exploited the height and significant strenght difference between Blind and Benteke. I would have operated with a wider play from the flanks (not knowing we have the best FBs in the league
) with crosses aiming Bentekes bowling ball sized head.Anyway, was glad to see excellent individual performances and a great team effort. Against PSV the two changes I'd make is to swap Carrick with Schneiderlin and Fellaini with Martial.
There is also a big change in how we defend as team which is excellent to watch. Our defensive set up is very good and that's one of the reason for good defensive record.
Blind's passing is very useful from deep. It's playing with 3 CMs whoa have very good passing ability and range.
Blind's yet to be tested but that's partly to do with the way we defend as a unit with him in the side.
Ironically, without him in the side we'd probably see a lot more one v one battles at the back which is something we want to avoid. I'm more than happy to say that so far, he's proved me wrong about him playing as a centre-back.
Ironically, without him in the side we'd probably see a lot more one v one battles at the back which is something we want to avoid. I'm more than happy to say that so far, he's proved me wrong about him playing as a centre-back.
This is what I've been trying to say: the structure was more important first, rather than just adding a new player.
Wilson and Pereira have travelled to Eindhoven with the 18 from the Liverpool game. Rooney and Lingard left at home.
Hopeful it's either Wilson or Martial up top, Fellaini looked lost on Saturday as the most advanced player.
Hopeful it's either Wilson or Martial up top, Fellaini looked lost on Saturday as the most advanced player.
Exactly. I remember making post about the defense few months back, we used to defend poorly as a team and now we have improved on it. Credit to Van Gaal, he knows how to organise his defense.
I thought he did ok, all things considering. Liverpool looked really afraid to counter with numbers, because one longball on the afro and they're gone. Also both centerbacks have to converge on Fellaini to even have any hope of stopping him with connecting with a cross, which opens up a loooot of space in the box.
The only thing he really dramatically failed with, was working the offside line, but that's sort of expected.
Hopefully Wilson gets to start anyhow.
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iNickStuff
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Almost every time Benteke did have a chance, however, Blind was there to stop him. Crosses into the box, through passes, shots on goal. Yes he didn't have as much support, but even with whatever little he had, he couldn't do much with it.
It's fantastic. The ball is retained so well from back to front almost effortlessly. Defensively we are as sound as I've seen in years from just a handful of games.
Very good point made by football365:
The highest number of times a player lost possession in the Premier League this weekend was 24. Depay managed 21 and he was removed at half-time. That wonderful brace against Club Brugge is the exception rather than the rule thus far.One wonders whether Depay is suffering too for the lack of pace of those around him. With Rooney, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Herrera and Mata as support, Depay is the only United attacker with any notable speed (until Martial plays regularly). Opposition managers simply double up on Depay, strangling his impact. It’s working.
The highest number of times a player lost possession in the Premier League this weekend was 24. Depay managed 21 and he was removed at half-time. That wonderful brace against Club Brugge is the exception rather than the rule thus far.One wonders whether Depay is suffering too for the lack of pace of those around him. With Rooney, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Herrera and Mata as support, Depay is the only United attacker with any notable speed (until Martial plays regularly). Opposition managers simply double up on Depay, strangling his impact. It’s working.
Alexis Sanchez lost the ball in some of his earlier Arsenal games more than any player had for the past 2 years. He just needs to get used to the style of play and move the ball more quickly. He's only played 5 games in English football and has shown considerable quality out wide when he has played.
He also lacked anticipation which is understandable as he is not a striker. 2 times he didn't anticipate ball coming to him in the box so his first touch was more like a shock to him. Both would have been very good chances in the first half.
Can't fault him though, he tried his best and he is not a lead striker.
I don't know what games you watched, but in the prem Depay was completely useless in every single game. All he does is lose the ball while contributing **** all.
Scouseinthehouse
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Easy game for Carrick and the German to protect the back line Saturday and control play in that area as L'pool had nobody within 10 yards of them most the game.
Again, you can only play what's in front of you but hard to make much of a concise judgement on anything with the opposition being both so lacklustre and tactilly all over the place. If there was even a tactical plan to begin with which is debatable as the shape was absolutely non-existent.
Again, you can only play what's in front of you but hard to make much of a concise judgement on anything with the opposition being both so lacklustre and tactilly all over the place. If there was even a tactical plan to begin with which is debatable as the shape was absolutely non-existent.
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