The Manchester United Thread

[Subtle]

Nearly every El Clasico game where Mourinho has employed these tactics has ended up backfiring though. There is a fine line between making frequent niggling fouls and outright manhandling a player and most players end up on the wrong side of it eventually during a match. It was a strategy that will work maybe 3 times out of 10. As you said, keeping him wide and isolated would have worked a lot better fouling him only when absolutely necessary.

People seem to forget that there's a reason unsportsmanlike conduct is so loosely defined in the rules: it's so that when refs come across situations like this, they can act according to their own judgement.

Honestly, if they had just played it down a bit they probably would have gotten away with it. The real issue was that not only were they fouling Hazard constantly, it was that they were doing it so brazenly that any ref with a bit of self respect is going to become annoyed that he's being played. They were being that guy, the one who makes a big point of how the rules don't explicitly say he can't bring his own clubs with him to crazy golf.

 

[Alc]

People seem to forget that there's a reason unsportsmanlike conduct is so loosely defined in the rules: it's so that when refs come across situations like this, they can act according to their own judgement.

Honestly, if they had just played it down a bit they probably would have gotten away with it. The real issue was that not only were they fouling Hazard constantly, it was that they were doing it so brazenly that any ref with a bit of self respect is going to become annoyed that he's being played. They were being that guy, the one who makes a big point of how the rules don't explicitly say he can't bring his own clubs with him to crazy golf.

The problem is that how many times has Mourinho employed these tactics and actually managed to get away with a win? More often than not, it ends up backfiring and sometimes spectacularly so (6-1 agains Barcelona anyone?). Cannot seem to understand why people think this was a tactical masterstroke by Mourinho. When your plan to stop an oppositions best player is simply to try and kick him off the park, thats not good enough.

For a blueprint on how to stop Chelsea, look at how Pochettino set up against us in both league games we played vs Spurs. Or Guardiola in the City game. Both were very unlucky to lose the games they did.

 

[Mike.]

The idea that Pogba doesn't work hard is bollocks. You might not like what he does off the pitch but he trains hard. That's the one thing that's never been held against him at United or Juve. So excusing vidics horrific first season by saying he worked hard, and then not giving Pogba the same leeway is a load of ****. **** Evra wasn't even physically fit enough for the league when he joined.

 

[Legend Incredible]

The idea that Pogba doesn't work hard is bollocks. You might not like what he does off the pitch but he trains hard. That's the one thing that's never been held against him at United or Juve. So excusing vidics horrific first season by saying he worked hard, and then not giving Pogba the same leeway is a load of ****. **** Evra wasn't even physically fit enough for the league when he joined.

Again, it's the fee really.

Sent from my SM-G900T1 using Tapatalk

 

[Mike.]

Anthony is saying that he doesn't care about the fee though. Then excusing vidics being so **** it looked like he might get sold, because he worked hard. It goes both ways. Pogba has been OK overall, but he needs to be much better next season. But some of the reasoning being used to hammer him is bollocks

 

[Subtle]

If nothing else, Pogba should get a pass on the fact that it's hard for a player like him to shine in a team that has, for the vast majority of the season, been building into something new. Once you get everyone settled, make a few more signings I'm sure he will come good.

He could probably do with keeping a lower profile til then though.

 

[Mike.]

Pogba's issue is that he overplays, this the one aspect I expected Jose to work hardest on, but it seems he indulges that, and actively wants that individuality. In that case, Pogba needs to work on his decision making more. Not worried about his creative presence, but he needs to also trust the small stuff. He'd be twice as dangerous if he simplified his game. He's also not helped by players not taking the chances he makes. Equally I'd like to see him time his runs more.

 

[Anthony]

I didn't bring any other players up.
That's just redirection by the Pogba apologists.

"Pogba was ****"
"But (insert name) was **** in 1998?"

Lets all see where it goes. None of us can predict the future. We can only go by our gut instinct and eyeballs.
But I don't see enough from him at the moment to get me all wet (people are allowed to stay out of the Pogba love in, I'm sure?).

I'll revisit the subject next season and see if all his hard training has turned him into a footballer.

He could probably do with keeping a lower profie til then though.

XD
Can you see that happening?

 

[Subtle]

Pogba's issue is that he overplays, this the one aspect I expected Jose to work hardest on, but it seems he indulges that, and actively wants that individuality. In that case, Pogba needs to work on his decision making more. Not worried about his creative presence, but he needs to also trust the small stuff. He'd be twice as dangerous if he simplified his game. He's also not helped by players not taking the chances he makes. Equally I'd like to see him time his runs more.

You have to feel it would be a lot easier for him to simplify his game if he was in a position where he could focus entirely on being a forward thinking player, and when he helps out and gets stuck in that's just a great bonus. Mentally, that's got to be so much pressure for a young guy, and way too much to think about. His partners in midfield and the wingbacks at Juve freed him up so much by comparison.

 

[djs1]

I couldn't give a rats if He cost €5 or €105,000,000.
He was ****, and gets called out as ****.

I've been supporting this club since the 70's and don't make any apologies for these show pony brands mincing about like a f***ing Kardashian.

IF He comes good, great.
But He has a long way to go to convince Me He is worth a place at my club.

Please don't compare Vidic to pogba.
Vidic is a hard working lad who just wanted to be a footballer... He put the effort in and became a legend.

Less time worrying about your hair, or whether your tacky new line of handbags make their way onto Sports Direct is the key here.

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the world in general is a far cry from the 70s,including the football world.Social media and online activities mean footballers,especially when you are the most expensive player ever,are celebrities now whether we like it or not.When i first started watching united we had players like mal donaghy,mike phelan,mark hughes etc who would be classed as 'proper men' but that is such an outdated view.

 

[Mike.]

Subtle I would agree partly about the profile, but I know for a fact the club drives the bulk of that more than he does. The club itself is a brand. Has been ever since it was part of the breakaway to form the premier league. People are supporting the wrong club if they don't like brands and "modern football" because that's what Manchester United helped bring in

 

[Mike.]

I'd play him in a 4-3-3. New DM or Carrick , hererra, Pogba.

 

[djs1]

I'd play him in a 4-3-3. New DM or Carrick , hererra, Pogba.

agree.i know jose keeps talking of 3 or so new arrivals in the summer but i think it will be more like 5 or 6,especially if we achieve CL qualification and personally i hope carrick stays another year

 

[RhQQ]

Yeah, Pogba plays jawdropping passes at times, and has stamped his authority on plenty of games this season, but his downfall is definitely the little things; like taking too much out of it, hesitating on the ball, getting caught out. Sometimes he's not happy to play that square ball to Herrera, always looking for that forward pass (which isn't necessarily a bad thing, people like Scholes, Pirlo etc are renowned and praised to the heavens and back for it), but you have to realise that that ball will not always be on. You will not always fend off opponents with your stature. Not every touch of the ball needs to be the difference in the game. Like Mike says, he just needs to simplify it. If anything, he probably tries too hard.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Is banter not allowed on here anymore? All I can see is Scouse making a joke about us getting out of 6th then getting threatened with a ban. Whats all that about?

EDIT: Acutally he has been banned. Wow. Unless posts have been deleted so im completely missing the point, SERIOUSLY???

To be fair robbo, I did stupidly give Utd WAY too much credit and moved you out of 6th before the game was over. That type of base foolishness deserves a ban by itself! . .

Joking aside, no biggie mate. A worthwhile exercise with my point made for me. I got what I wanted so it worked out well.

But enough has been said already reading back over the past week or so. It's nobody's else's concern here. It's past.

Let's close the book on that.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Deary me Martin Keown was talking some utter ***** last night. Even for him.

A two footed, off the ground, out of control tattle is now OK if it's 'side on?' The next straight red teams now need to bring up Martins new 'sideways rule!'

 

[kitchin75]

yay scouse is back

 

[steveorobbo]

agree.i know jose keeps talking of 3 or so new arrivals in the summer but i think it will be more like 5 or 6,especially if we achieve CL qualification and personally i hope carrick stays another year

Cant see Carrick going anywhere considering he's helping to coach the Under 14's and also doing his badges. He has a lot of experience to pass on and seems happy where he is.

 

[Mike.]

Agreed Steve, he will play on or retire and start coaching. He doesn't want to finish anywhere else but the top so it's up to his legs, based on his last interview

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Cant see Carrick going anywhere considering he's helping to coach the Under 14's and also doing his badges. He has a lot of experience to pass on and seems happy where he is.

Can't speak enough to that. Absolutely scandalous the amount of discarded, top British talent as soon as their legs go and their playing days are at an end. We never have got that right in this Country like other Country's do. You look around the media/ pundits of most of Englands 'Golden Generation' and it's beyond criminal. L'pool fans 'worried' at Gerrard returning absolutely beggared belief.

Clubs really would be well-served opening up that pathway for club greats into the coaching ranks.