Man Utd Thread:

[brokencrossbar1]

It's easy for OGS. He has no pressure and accepts that he will likely be gone at the end of the seasons so he can play who he likes and get them playing 'good' football. There's limited expectations and as a result the players can play with a bit of freedom. There's be the inevitable bounce and he's riding a crest of a wave. The thing is though imagine DDG didn't have a worldie the other day? United could easily have lost by 2-3 goals and the bubble would have been well and truly burst. He's doing a good job but the lack of pressure makes it very easy for him and the players. Give him the job on a permanent basis and the expectation and demands change.

I think the DDG performance is getting well blown out of proportion. He didnt have a worldie, he had a good day he stopped shots he would be expected to save in any other game in any other context. It was the volume of shots that made it seem more like a top class performance, but break each chance down and look where he saved them, none we out of his reach or a complex save.

Dont get me wrong he is the best keeper in the world, but on Sunday he was just doing what he does with minimum fuss.

Look at the other end as well, Pogba had two clear chances and Martial was wasteful with a couple of good break aways, so it could easily have ended up with a bigger score the other way.

It was effectively a siege on the United goal for the last half hour. Maybe there were few "spectacular" saves, but figure in that (unlike his defence and midfield) he continually closed down the correct angle, never once deflected a save into a dangerous area, and rather importantly killed the clock for every goal kick - absolutely necessary for him to do, as his teammates couldn't hold the ball for more than 5-7 seconds throughout the second half - and you've got a world class display.

Exactly. The thing about the top top players, and this includes goalkeepers, is that they make the spectacular look straight forward due to positioning and anticipation. If a keeper is having to make huge dives all over the place on a regular basis to make saves that would suggest to me that their starting point and their reading of things is weak. As they get older and slower the reflexes slow down

[Boycey]

It's easy for OGS. He has no pressure and accepts that he will likely be gone at the end of the seasons so he can play who he likes and get them playing 'good' football. There's limited expectations and as a result the players can play with a bit of freedom. There's be the inevitable bounce and he's riding a crest of a wave. The thing is though imagine DDG didn't have a worldie the other day? United could easily have lost by 2-3 goals and the bubble would have been well and truly burst. He's doing a good job but the lack of pressure makes it very easy for him and the players. Give him the job on a permanent basis and the expectation and demands change.

I think the DDG performance is getting well blown out of proportion. He didnt have a worldie, he had a good day he stopped shots he would be expected to save in any other game in any other context. It was the volume of shots that made it seem more like a top class performance, but break each chance down and look where he saved them, none we out of his reach or a complex save.

Dont get me wrong he is the best keeper in the world, but on Sunday he was just doing what he does with minimum fuss.

Look at the other end as well, Pogba had two clear chances and Martial was wasteful with a couple of good break aways, so it could easily have ended up with a bigger score the other way.

It was effectively a siege on the United goal for the last half hour. Maybe there were few "spectacular" saves, but figure in that (unlike his defence and midfield) he continually closed down the correct angle, never once deflected a save into a dangerous area, and rather importantly killed the clock for every goal kick - absolutely necessary for him to do, as his teammates couldn't hold the ball for more than 5-7 seconds throughout the second half - and you've got a world class display.

Exactly. The thing about the top top players, and this includes goalkeepers, is that they make the spectacular look straight forward due to positioning and anticipation. If a keeper is having to make huge dives all over the place on a regular basis to make saves that would suggest to me that their starting point and their reading of things is weak. As they get older and slower the reflexes slow down

Yeah it was said on here that Ole basically had a free roll at it, he was a 'safe pair of hands' til the end of the season with little or no pressure. I'd disagree bc1 that the bubble would have burst had United conceded 2/3 goals in the last half hour, the limitations of the squad in some areas is still there but the 1st hour United for easily the better team and that'd be good enough for most sane United supporters.

Looking at how Solskjaer has performed freeroll or not he's been impressive.Both in how the team has performed in how he's conducted himself in interviews etc. He looks to me like a man who realized he may only get six months in the job and he's damn well gonna give it his best shot and take it from there.

On DeGea, he did what he has done regularly over the years and made the difference. It's like Kane, Salah or another attacker being the difference between winning and not winning it's what top players do?

[trailer]

It's easy for OGS. He has no pressure and accepts that he will likely be gone at the end of the seasons so he can play who he likes and get them playing 'good' football. There's limited expectations and as a result the players can play with a bit of freedom. There's be the inevitable bounce and he's riding a crest of a wave. The thing is though imagine DDG didn't have a worldie the other day? United could easily have lost by 2-3 goals and the bubble would have been well and truly burst. He's doing a good job but the lack of pressure makes it very easy for him and the players. Give him the job on a permanent basis and the expectation and demands change.

I think the DDG performance is getting well blown out of proportion. He didnt have a worldie, he had a good day he stopped shots he would be expected to save in any other game in any other context. It was the volume of shots that made it seem more like a top class performance, but break each chance down and look where he saved them, none we out of his reach or a complex save.

Dont get me wrong he is the best keeper in the world, but on Sunday he was just doing what he does with minimum fuss.

Look at the other end as well, Pogba had two clear chances and Martial was wasteful with a couple of good break aways, so it could easily have ended up with a bigger score the other way.

It was effectively a siege on the United goal for the last half hour. Maybe there were few "spectacular" saves, but figure in that (unlike his defence and midfield) he continually closed down the correct angle, never once deflected a save into a dangerous area, and rather importantly killed the clock for every goal kick - absolutely necessary for him to do, as his teammates couldn't hold the ball for more than 5-7 seconds throughout the second half - and you've got a world class display.

Exactly. The thing about the top top players, and this includes goalkeepers, is that they make the spectacular look straight forward due to positioning and anticipation. If a keeper is having to make huge dives all over the place on a regular basis to make saves that would suggest to me that their starting point and their reading of things is weak. As they get older and slower the reflexes slow down

f**k me, Tottenham not that hot when one player can defeat them.

[nrico2006]

I think it's fair to say De Gea hasn't had his best season this season, but personally if I'd a choice of any goalkeeper, he'd be on my team.

I only saw the second half of the Spurs match, but I thought it a bit odd that Gary Neville seemed reluctant to give him praise for all the saves he was making! Not that GN was totally incorrect in saying some of the finishing could have been better, but I thought he was a bit harsh on De Gea.

I dont think any of the saves he made were in the outstanding category. I think probably his level is catching up with him a bit there unfairly. Any other keeper made that amount of saves in a game it would be headline news, its because he makes the average saves look exactly that.....average, that makes them pass with little or no fuss.

He will be no different to any other player in the squad in wanting to prove his worth to the team under the new management and this seems to be driving the mini revival.

Martial's form still a worry I thought he would burst out of the shackles under Ole but he still seems to be holding a little back, hopefully he will progress with the team as the new system get embedded.

+1.  My thoughts after the game were that De Gea played well but the saves required were straight forward.   

[magpie seanie]

Great to see supporters of other teams coming on here and not just laughing. Mind you I'd wonder how much of the games they actually watched with some of the comments but great they're worried again. 

[Maroon Manc]

I think it's fair to say De Gea hasn't had his best season this season, but personally if I'd a choice of any goalkeeper, he'd be on my team.

I only saw the second half of the Spurs match, but I thought it a bit odd that Gary Neville seemed reluctant to give him praise for all the saves he was making! Not that GN was totally incorrect in saying some of the finishing could have been better, but I thought he was a bit harsh on De Gea.

I dont think any of the saves he made were in the outstanding category. I think probably his level is catching up with him a bit there unfairly. Any other keeper made that amount of saves in a game it would be headline news, its because he makes the average saves look exactly that.....average, that makes them pass with little or no fuss.

He will be no different to any other player in the squad in wanting to prove his worth to the team under the new management and this seems to be driving the mini revival.

Martial's form still a worry I thought he would burst out of the shackles under Ole but he still seems to be holding a little back, hopefully he will progress with the team as the new system get embedded.

+1.  My thoughts after the game were that De Gea played well but the saves required were straight forward.   

Agreed, United had a lot of good chances in that second half and even in the first half United looked very dangerous and picked the wrong option on several occasions.

[Maroon Manc]

Spurs were 13 points ahead of United less than a month ago now its down to 7 points and Harry Kane is out for 2 months plus Son could be missing for 10 games too. Spurs also have lost Dembele and have injuries to Sissoko and Wanyama and are still in 3 cup competitions.

[trailer]

Spurs were 13 points ahead of United less than a month ago now its down to 7 points and Harry Kane is out for 2 months plus Son could be missing for 10 games too. Spurs also have lost Dembele and have injuries to Sissoko and Wanyama and are still in 3 cup competitions.

Pochettino out?

[screenexile]

Great to see supporters of other teams coming on here and not just laughing. Mind you I'd wonder how much of the games they actually watched with some of the comments but great they're worried again. 

Not particularly worried . . . hoping OGS gets the job then I'm sure it'll be a Di Matteo situation all over again!! (Minus the Champions League fluke obviously!)

[BennyCake]

I think it's fair to say De Gea hasn't had his best season this season, but personally if I'd a choice of any goalkeeper, he'd be on my team.

I only saw the second half of the Spurs match, but I thought it a bit odd that Gary Neville seemed reluctant to give him praise for all the saves he was making! Not that GN was totally incorrect in saying some of the finishing could have been better, but I thought he was a bit harsh on De Gea.

I dont think any of the saves he made were in the outstanding category. I think probably his level is catching up with him a bit there unfairly. Any other keeper made that amount of saves in a game it would be headline news, its because he makes the average saves look exactly that.....average, that makes them pass with little or no fuss.

He will be no different to any other player in the squad in wanting to prove his worth to the team under the new management and this seems to be driving the mini revival.

Martial's form still a worry I thought he would burst out of the shackles under Ole but he still seems to be holding a little back, hopefully he will progress with the team as the new system get embedded.

+1.  My thoughts after the game were that De Gea played well but the saves required were straight forward.   

Yup. Agreed.

This talk about about De Gea being world class is a bit OTT. His distribution and coming for corners and taking command of his penalty area is still quite poor. Decent shot stopper, but he's no Schmeichel or Van Der Sar.

[J70]

One area DeGea far exceeds other keepers is using those feet to make saves. The one he made from the Kane shot towards the near post side of his goal was amazing in the speed of his reaction. He did a similar one last year from Matip against Liverpool at Anfield.

Only comparable keeper I've seen in terms of agility was Grobellaar. Although Alisson is looking impressive in his reactions so far too, underworked though he might be in that respect.

[gawa316]

Spurs were 13 points ahead of United less than a month ago now its down to 7 points and Harry Kane is out for 2 months plus Son could be missing for 10 games too. Spurs also have lost Dembele and have injuries to Sissoko and Wanyama and are still in 3 cup competitions.

Where'd you get Son missing 10 games from? Isn't the Asian cup over at the start of Feb?

[Cunny Funt]

One area DeGea far exceeds other keepers is using those feet to make saves. The one he made from the Kane shot towards the near post side of his goal was amazing in the speed of his reaction. He did a similar one last year from Matip against Liverpool at Anfield.

Only comparable keeper I've seen in terms of agility was Grobellaar. Although Alisson is looking impressive in his reactions so far too, underworked though he might be in that respect.

Sorting out your feet quickly is one of the hardest parts of goalkeeping, De Gea has cat like reflexes and at least 3 of those 11 2nd half saves were outstanding on Sunday. Good goalkeeping performance aside, giving away that amount chances proves there is still major issues in defence and it's not all Jones fault as Shaw against Spurs was poor and Matic is too slow to react for CDM.

[nrico2006]

Spurs were 13 points ahead of United less than a month ago now its down to 7 points and Harry Kane is out for 2 months plus Son could be missing for 10 games too. Spurs also have lost Dembele and have injuries to Sissoko and Wanyama and are still in 3 cup competitions.

We'll see if they have anything to spend now too. If they dont buy in January given the current situation Poch may realise that this really is Arsenal mark 2.

[Maroon Manc]

Spurs were 13 points ahead of United less than a month ago now its down to 7 points and Harry Kane is out for 2 months plus Son could be missing for 10 games too. Spurs also have lost Dembele and have injuries to Sissoko and Wanyama and are still in 3 cup competitions.

We'll see if they have anything to spend now too. If they dont buy in January given the current situation Poch may realise that this really is Arsenal mark 2.

Can't see anything other than a loan signing, Levy will think the 7 point lead is good enough especially with the spiraling costs of the stadium.