The Manchester United Thread
- Thread starter MisterStubbs
- Start date
- Replies 106K
- Views 6M
Theatre of Dreams83
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2017
- Messages
- 31,196
- Reaction score
- 2,396
- Points
- 113
I would prefer Bailly, Alder, Lindelöf, Rojo, Tuanzebe
OptaJoeVerified account @OptaJoe 14- David de Gea has conceded 19 Premier League goals this season, but based on Opta xG data for the shots on target he's faced, the average goalkeeper would have been expected to concede 33 goals. This is the biggest differential by a PL goalkeeper in 2017-18. Exceptional.
Strange, I seem to remember them spending 2 years comfortably playing out of the back and keeping 70% posession in most games.
Smalling was doing that, Jones was stealing a living on the medical table.
Must also be said Daley Blind was the one who took most of the responsibility from playing out (breaking lines etc.), Smalling was predominantly a square passer, and was made look 100x better with LvG's very good spacing. Always passing lanes available. He had the team drilled incredibly in that regard.
Correct, and that was my point exactly. Every year around this time into the season, the United fanbase is brimming about how half of the squad is **** and how you need 5 new players for every position. It's like the concept of improving the players who are already there never crosses people's minds.
People were able to play from the back, and suddenly they are ****? No, the coaching is **** because Mourinho either can't, or doesn't want to drill his team the way Guardiola or LVG do it. My guess is that Jose is more focused on defensive drills, unlike the possession coaches, so the defenders are just told to pass it to the nearest guy who knows what to do with the ball.
While me or you don't like it, Jose has won Champions Leagues and umpteenth League Titles playing his reactive, transition-focused football, he's not going to change his approach now.
José Mourinho: "For me, beautiful football is not giving our opponents what they want.” #mufc (LOL)
Smalling doesnt fit, once he's asked to be adventurous.
Blind does but he is out of favour
Scouseinthehouse
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2015
- Messages
- 21,759
- Reaction score
- 4,840
- Points
- 113
14- David de Gea has conceded 19 Premier League goals this season, but based on Opta xG data for the shots on target he's faced, the average goalkeeper would have been expected to concede 33 goals. This is the biggest differential by a PL goalkeeper in 2017-18. Exceptional.
It get's more ridiculous by the passing game.
When it's all said and done, he'll go down as Utd and the PL's best ever goalie. If he's not at that point all ready.
Forget Schmeichel having more silverware. You can only play on the team's you're on at a certain time in history. And the Dane's time was fortunate to coincide with far better talent ahead of him. Individually, DDG's at such a consistently great level it's not even funny.
Smalling and Jones are good as bench options. Still no verdict on Lindelof, though he was decent in the last game. Bailly was good for United, but far away from finished article. Way too eager at times and his positioning was iffy. But he has that Ferdinand-esque aura around him. Shaw is getting back, but in the same way, can't be sure about him. Young has done decent, at times he was good. But he's liability in defense most of the times, and its understandable. How much more gas in the tank Valencia has? Is TFM ready?
Don't forget United have Tuanzebe, a really bright CD. Williams is still young and can still turn the table around, though I doubt it.
Bigges woes are in midfield. Need something to glue all the things together. Needs a proper partner for Pogba. And Mourinho needs to play to squad strengths. A lot of blame is on Mourinho. And he refuses to change things. Thats why I'm kinda against him in long term. But oh well, at this rate, couple more years of scratching the head for sure.
Don't forget United have Tuanzebe, a really bright CD. Williams is still young and can still turn the table around, though I doubt it.
Bigges woes are in midfield. Need something to glue all the things together. Needs a proper partner for Pogba. And Mourinho needs to play to squad strengths. A lot of blame is on Mourinho. And he refuses to change things. Thats why I'm kinda against him in long term. But oh well, at this rate, couple more years of scratching the head for sure.
I'm afraid that spot is already occupied by pre-helmet Cech.
Scouseinthehouse
Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2015
- Messages
- 21,759
- Reaction score
- 4,840
- Points
- 113
If I'm not having de Gea I'm taking Schmeichel over anyone else personally.
Singlehandedly won these a few titles. Along with Cantona, he was the biggest difference maker for them that period. Honestly, don't think I've seen much of a bigger presence in anyone's nets than that fella' was.
There wasn't much difference in talent between Evans L'pool and those Utd sides mid 90's. But they had the dominant, ball-winning shithouse in midfield we lacked to control and close games out, who could pull everyone together through his leadership in first Ince and then Keane. And more so they had a WC goalkeeper. Whilst we had a brain-dead one.
Last edited:
ninjaskill
Member
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2012
- Messages
- 2,668
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 36
I would say that all round that defence is better than United's but Cech made no where near the number or quality of saves De Gea had to make in some games since our defence likes to keep him on his toes
Sure, he does seem to make more quality saves. No arguments there. But let's put it differently - let's say you had to pick one goalkeeper in history of football to catch your newborn baby, who do you pick?
It's Van der Sar, isn't it.
Roy Carroll
Theatre of Dreams83
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2017
- Messages
- 31,196
- Reaction score
- 2,396
- Points
- 113
Massimo Tiabi
On the subject of GKs. Utd have signed highly rated Burnley GK Mackenzie Chapman for the u15s.
Last edited:
Theatre of Dreams83
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2017
- Messages
- 31,196
- Reaction score
- 2,396
- Points
- 113
BREAKING: Man Utd add Angel Gomes (squad number 47) & Ethan Hamilton (squad number 48) to the Champions League Squad. They are on the B list which if for homegrown players.
Another achievement for both players well done @agomes_47 & @ethanhamilton98
Another achievement for both players well done @agomes_47 & @ethanhamilton98
Theatre of Dreams83
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2017
- Messages
- 31,196
- Reaction score
- 2,396
- Points
- 113
Theatre of Dreams83
Member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2017
- Messages
- 31,196
- Reaction score
- 2,396
- Points
- 113
Puigmal pulling the strings early on. Burkart and Greenwood looking lively. Oconner fantastic bringing the ball out from the back. Puigmal so much like Xavi the way he plays.
Barlow close keeping making a great save. Class ball over the top from Greenwood. Max Dunne goes close from the resulting corner.
Barlow makes a great run down the left crosses with his left. Greenwood with a fantastic header looking over the keeper 1-0 after 12 mins.
Nearly 2-0 Williams from LB cuts inside and bends it into the bottom corner bringing a great save from Everton keeper god knows how he got finger tips to it.
Everton GK on fire another finger tip save to stop Barlow long range curling effort. Early look at our GK not had anything to do but his kicking has been pin point so far. Left footed by the way.
Sigh! Burkart off injured after being smashed on the ankle. Ramanzani on. No surprise tbh seem to lose a player every week down to being hacked. Barlow down now after a lung on his shin doesn’t look good. ******* me off this! Barlow ok thank god can see clear on his leg where he was clattered.
**** 1-1 terrible defending by Dunne completely missing the low cross from wide easy finish. Lol **** you dirty Everton Puigmal picks out Williams at LB beats 2 players in the box slots it to Ramanzani who cooly finishes into the top right corner.
Another defence splitting pass from Puigmal. Barlow shot screams inches wide. Yes! Garner with a wide curling cross misses everyone and nestled in the bottom corner lucky lol 3-1 Utd.
Watching Puigmal is like player FIFA cheat mode! Close Garner rattles the bar from a free kick after a great run from Puigmal and gets tripped. 3-1 HT Barlow, Greenwood, Brandon Williams great. Puigmal playing on another planet atm
Barlow close keeping making a great save. Class ball over the top from Greenwood. Max Dunne goes close from the resulting corner.
Barlow makes a great run down the left crosses with his left. Greenwood with a fantastic header looking over the keeper 1-0 after 12 mins.
Nearly 2-0 Williams from LB cuts inside and bends it into the bottom corner bringing a great save from Everton keeper god knows how he got finger tips to it.
Everton GK on fire another finger tip save to stop Barlow long range curling effort. Early look at our GK not had anything to do but his kicking has been pin point so far. Left footed by the way.
Sigh! Burkart off injured after being smashed on the ankle. Ramanzani on. No surprise tbh seem to lose a player every week down to being hacked. Barlow down now after a lung on his shin doesn’t look good. ******* me off this! Barlow ok thank god can see clear on his leg where he was clattered.
**** 1-1 terrible defending by Dunne completely missing the low cross from wide easy finish. Lol **** you dirty Everton Puigmal picks out Williams at LB beats 2 players in the box slots it to Ramanzani who cooly finishes into the top right corner.
Another defence splitting pass from Puigmal. Barlow shot screams inches wide. Yes! Garner with a wide curling cross misses everyone and nestled in the bottom corner lucky lol 3-1 Utd.
Watching Puigmal is like player FIFA cheat mode! Close Garner rattles the bar from a free kick after a great run from Puigmal and gets tripped. 3-1 HT Barlow, Greenwood, Brandon Williams great. Puigmal playing on another planet atm
Last edited: