The Manchester United Thread

[wkdsoul]

Seriously, that term needs to die already. It's a normal occurence in modern football that people transition from full back to wingers, or the other way around. Especially in the case of "technically limited but hard-working" winger type. Valencia or Dortmund's former Blaszczykowski/Groskreutz winger duo. Guys like that spend most of their career being basically a full back who plays really high.

I always found playing either a piece of ****.

As a full back stay goal side, inline or infront of your CB line. (if you **** up, he'll scream at you anyway)
As a winger stay goal side infront of their back four. All you need to watch is either offside line, and break it early/late.

(a good engine and crossing foot helps as well).

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Our u18s are fantastic to watch!

 

[zzeezzy]

Chelsea have also dropped points this season . So what you're saying is only city can win the title

Honestly, I think they are a lot better than everyone else right now.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Honestly, I think they are a lot better than everyone else right now.

I know we had this discussion last week but to me, that's not really been open to debate since their summer spend if everyone's honest.

The attacking arsenal at Guardiola's disposal, which just got added to with the attacking FB additions and Silva, is ridiculous. Clearly above anything else in this league. On paper at least. And their current run of ridiculous form is testament to that.

IMHO, I've seen nottin' to change my pre-season view that's it's City and then 5 teams battling for 2 through 4.

 

[zzeezzy]

I know we had this discussion last week but to me, that's not really been open to debate since their summer spend if everyone's honest.

The attacking arsenal at Guardiola's disposal, which just got added to with the attacking FB additions and Silva, is ridiculous. Clearly above anything else in this league. On paper at least. And their current run of ridiculous form is testament to that.

IMHO, I've seen nottin' to change my pre-season view that's it's City and then 5 teams battling for 2 through 4.

Only reason I thought we could keep up is because we were being a typical Mourinho team and being clinical getting the points in the matches that really mattered. Up until today at least.

The performances this season were one gear above as well at the start, but as the season has gone on even though we have still been grinding out the results the performances have undoubtedly dropped off.

Obviously, City started last season like a house on fire and then kind of lost their steam as the season went on. Unfortunately can't see it being the same this year, I highly doubt they'll make that mistake twice.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Agreed. Obviously, the unlimited spend helps massively, but last season was so invaluable to Guardiola and he learned so much about this mad crazy league that it was probably the worst case scenario for everyone else they did struggle and go through that.

Had they breezed it last year they may have gotten complacent.

 

[Legend Incredible]

Only reason I thought we could keep up is because we were being a typical Mourinho team and being clinical getting the points in the matches that really mattered. Up until today at least.

The performances this season were one gear above as well at the start, but as the season has gone on even though we have still been grinding out the results the performances have undoubtedly dropped off.

Obviously, City started last season like a house on fire and then kind of lost their steam as the season went on. Unfortunately can't see it being the same this year, I highly doubt they'll make that mistake twice.

Injuries have played a part obviously. Seriously, i've never seen a mourinho team with so many injuries at once.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Need players back ASAP. Also worth a mention bar Lukaku,DDG. All our big characters are out injured. Pogba, Fellaini, Rojo, Bailly and especially Zlatan.

 

[zzeezzy]

Injuries have played a part obviously. Seriously, i've never seen a mourinho team with so many injuries at once.

Every team has injuries, it's a part of the game, I really hate when we use that as an excuse.

If you look at that team today, should be beating Huddersfield comfortably. Only player that may of been in the team today that would of improved the performance is Bailly and Pogba.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Every team has injuries, it's a part of the game, .....

Related aside. It was amusing as all heck to read Utd fans elsewhere the past International break saying Mané levelled out Fellaini leading into last weekends game.

One of the biggest difference-making players the league over as opposed to a big grock. I see their point .....

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Every team has injuries, it's a part of the game, I really hate when we use that as an excuse.

If you look at that team today, should be beating Huddersfield comfortably. Only player that may of been in the team today that would of improved the performance is Bailly and Pogba.

Zlatan, Rojo, Fellaini. Not an excuse the injuries, that team was more than good enough. Just lacked the depth to change it. And most players today looked like they lacked the fight hence my post above.

 

[zzeezzy]

Related aside. It was amusing as all heck to read Utd fans elsewhere the past International break saying Mané levelled out Fellaini leading into last weekends game.

One of the biggest difference-making players the league over as opposed to a big grock. I see their point .....

I'd agree with you there, Fellaini can be decisive in key moments of a game. But as far as a team performance overall is concerned, he doesn't improve it like say a Pogba or whoever else would.

 

[Legend Incredible]

Every team has injuries, it's a part of the game, I really hate when we use that as an excuse.

If you look at that team today, should be beating Huddersfield comfortably. Only player that may of been in the team today that would of improved the performance is Bailly and Pogba.

You'd also have to count Jones since we conceded once he went off. lol

 

[zzeezzy]

Looking at both our goals again we conceded yesterday, Lindelof was at fault for both.

The first, if you see the Huddersfield striker pick up that ball from Mata, his first touch is way too heavy and Lindelof was indecisive, he decided to not anticipate and get to that ball.

Seeing that 2nd goal we conceded again, my word it's absolutely comically bad from Lindelof.

You wouldn't expect that kind of mistake in amateur football, let alone in professional.

On the bright side, surely that kind of mistake can't happen again. Unless we play Lindelof, but we won't.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Looking at both our goals again we conceded yesterday, Lindelof was at fault for both.

The first, if you see the Huddersfield striker pick up that ball from Mata, his first touch is way too heavy and Lindelof was indecisive, he decided to not anticipate and get to that ball.

Seeing that 2nd goal we conceded again, my word it's absolutely comically bad from Lindelof.

You wouldn't expect that kind of mistake in amateur football, let alone in professional.

On the bright side, surely that kind of mistake can't happen again. Unless we play Lindelof, but we won't.

Mata and Lindelöf were equally at fault for the first goal. He might play sooner than you think if Jones, Bailly, Rojo don’t make Spurs. He will Defo play against Swansea.

 

[zzeezzy]

Mata and Lindelöf were equally at fault for the first goal. He might play sooner than you think if Jones, Bailly, Rojo don’t make Spurs. He will Defo play against Swansea.

Tuanzebe should get more of a look in, he hasn't made any of the howlers like Lindelof has when he's played.

 

[RhQQ]

Not defending him, his error was diabolical, but how is playing every CB ahead of him, going to bring him on as a player?

Again don't like dropping the Vidic bomb, but he was as shaky early days.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Love Mourinho having a go at the players attitude and subsequemtly Herrera for saying the same.

You're in it together. As much as it starts with the individual you're the one supposedly getting them in the right frame of mind and up for it so take your share of the blame too when they aren't fully prepared. Gobshite.

 

[zzeezzy]

Not defending him, his error was diabolical, but how is playing every CB ahead of him, going to bring him on as a player?

Again don't like dropping the Vidic bomb, but he was as shaky early days.

I take your point, but Tuanzebe for me has always looked impressive and never made any howlers when he has played like Lindelof.

My point merely was that why isn't Tuanzebe getting more of a look in when he has performed better than some of those on the pitch? Ala Lindelof yesterday and in the past etc.

Love Mourinho having a go at the players attitude and subsequemtly Herrera for saying the same.

You're in it together. As much as it starts with the individual you're the one supposedly getting them in the right frame of mind and up for it so take your share of the blame too when they aren't fully prepared. Gobshite.

Tbh, I don't have any complaints with Mourinho for his post match comments. He was very honest and admitted honestly that Huddersfield were just better.

Although on the mentality side of things, I'd agree that is as much his responsibility but at least he is being open about what the underlying issue was.

It's not like the players or manager was telling us a different tale to what was actually the case.

 

[zzeezzy]

Next two games are huge for me in context of the season. Although it's very early on, it will give us a real indication of what this team is really going to aim to achieve this season.

Spurs and then Chelsea, if we pick up two wins from them then it will be sign of a team with a strong mentality. If we further slip up and lose ground then it will just merely be another top 4 battling season for me.

I don't expect us to win both, I'd take 4 points right now. But even then I feel it's optimistic given how we've recently been and how we'll approach the games.

Lately Mourinho seems to be treating us like a on/off switch, one week he wants us to suddenly be playing this game where we can dominate and unlock a teams with our creativity. Whereas the week before he wants us to be a totally different rigid team and merely be chasing the ball with a well organised shape with next to no attacking intent.

Not sure this turning the switch on/off kind of style is going to work, we'll see. Big few weeks.