Man Utd Thread:

GJL · March 07, 2021, 07:00:05 PM

Better all over the pitch. Result never in doubt.

Rich Ricci · March 07, 2021, 07:07:28 PM

Good performance again at the Etihad. City's style of play really suits Utd. Luke Shaw had a great game again and has been one of the stand outs all season.

Real shame about the Utd run of results that occurred after going top. We were never going to win the league but it would still have been nice to have been able to apply a bit more pressure to City.

Cunny Funt · March 07, 2021, 07:11:41 PM

Full credit to Solskjaer today got his tactics, game plan and match ups spot on to keep this impressive unbeaten away run going in style.

Martial had his best performance since last season and I think only Shaw was better than him today and Shaw has probably been Uniteds best and most consistent player this season.

That's 6 clean sheets in 8 games against the traditional top 6 teams this season which proves that United defence are more than decent when fully focused.

The one black spot was Rashford going off injured. With the difficult run in and fighting on 3 fronts they can't afford to lose him to injury.

nrico2006 · March 07, 2021, 08:18:49 PM

Quote from: Cunny Funt on March 07, 2021, 07:11:41 PM
Full credit to Solskjaer today got his tactics, game plan and match ups spot on to keep this impressive unbeaten away run going in style.

Martial had his best performance since last season and I think only Shaw was better than him today and Shaw has probably been Uniteds best and most consistent player this season.

That's 6 clean sheets in 8 games against the traditional top 6 teams this season which proves that United defence are more than decent when fully focused.

The one black spot was Rashford going off injured. With the difficult run in and fighting on 3 fronts they can't afford to lose him to injury.

Uniteds tactics in the big 6 games is to flood their half of the pitch which is why they haven't conceded as many in the big 6 games. Their defence is still shit.

Cunny Funt · March 07, 2021, 08:38:03 PM

Quote from: nrico2006 on March 07, 2021, 08:18:49 PM
Uniteds tactics in the big 6 games is to flood their half of the pitch which is why they haven't conceded as many in the big 6 games. Their defence is still shit.

Even the best defences around need a certain amount of protection. Biggest problem I see with Uniteds defence is the habit of individual errors and lapses in concentration and that will continue to happen when not fully focused.

Boycey · March 07, 2021, 08:48:26 PM

Ah boys, enjoy the night. They did win after all

pbat · March 07, 2021, 09:01:46 PM

The dropped points 3 against Sheffield United, 2 at West Brom , 2 at Palace and 2 at Arsenal an 2 at home to Everton they are sickening now. Yes City probably would have still won the league but at less it might have been interesting.

Maroon Manc · March 08, 2021, 08:13:59 AM

That United back 4 sat far higher up then the pitch then they have done previously in the bigger games for longer periods, there were signs of it last weekend against Chelsea too in the 1st half. The narrative seems to be United just counter attacked which is incorrect, United did plenty of pressing and they didn't just let City's defenders/midfield stroll out with it. Apart from Sterling who's a wide player City didn't have the pace or power to get in behind United which really suited United's centre halfs who were both superb in general play although Lindelof again got caught twice with crosses over his head, both which would have been cut out by a centre half who's good aerially.

As for Henderson it was great to see our keeper come and collect set pieces instead of punching everything which De Gea does, took the pressure of on several occasions.

United were far from excellent in the final 3rd, on several occasions they should have put a move together to test Ederson but failed too. Great result though and Ole deserves more credit for his tactics, United were brave yesterday. We've been here several times before though so won't be getting carried way.

TabClear · March 08, 2021, 08:43:42 AM

Credit where its due, United were excellent yesterday. Shaw has been exceptional all season, he is deceptively quick and has been pretty solid defensively. Martial must be so frustrating for United fans as yesterday he looked the real deal but then he disappears completely in other matches.

Foden looked lively when he came on and had he been introduced earlier it might have made a difference. The biggest concern out of this game yesterday is that City decide they need a "proper" number 9 and go and sign Haaland or MBappe in the summer. If that happens this season's title race might be viewed as close in a couple of years.

NAG1 · March 08, 2021, 09:03:03 AM

Quote from: Maroon Manc on March 08, 2021, 08:13:59 AM
That United back 4 sat far higher up then the pitch then they have done previously in the bigger games for longer periods, there were signs of it last weekend against Chelsea too in the 1st half. The narrative seems to be United just counter attacked which is incorrect, United did plenty of pressing and they didn't just let City's defenders/midfield stroll out with it. Apart from Sterling who's a wide player City didn't have the pace or power to get in behind United which really suited United's centre halfs who were both superb in general play although Lindelof again got caught twice with crosses over his head, both which would have been cut out by a centre half who's good aerially.

As for Henderson it was great to see our keeper come and collect set pieces instead of punching everything which De Gea does, took the pressure of on several occasions.

United were far from excellent in the final 3rd, on several occasions they should have put a move together to test Ederson but failed too. Great result though and Ole deserves more credit for his tactics, United were brave yesterday. We've been here several times before though so won't be getting carried way.

Exactly right, City's shape allowed United to press up really high and they were brave enough to do. This meant that they 't couldn't get out from the back easily, the pressure was on every single time because of a good work rate. Lead in fairness mostly by Dan James.

Good solid performance all round and a really pleasing win.

Ed Ricketts · March 10, 2021, 04:34:49 PM

300 years after it was first promised, today it seems that the club have actually appointed a Director of Football.

Well, a 'Football Director' - maybe that's the same thing? Darren Fletcher also given a bump. Hopefully signifies an intention to change how the club goes about recruitment. Matt Judge still there, though.

Maroon Manc · March 11, 2021, 12:03:50 PM

Quote from: Ed Ricketts on March 10, 2021, 04:34:49 PM
300 years after it was first promised, today it seems that the club have actually appointed a Director of Football.

Well, a 'Football Director' - maybe that's the same thing? Darren Fletcher also given a bump. Hopefully signifies an intention to change how the club goes about recruitment. Matt Judge still there, though.

About time, nothing short of shambolic the way the club has been run since Fergie left; In fairness since Ole came in at least there's manager there who appears to see the bigger picture when it came to player recruitment.

A big summer ahead, as long as United make the CL and with the return of fans next season then United financially will be a in position to sign someone like Haaland and a top centre half although can't say I have any faith in it happening. I've watched a fair bit of football the last year and can't say there's too many centre half's who look that impressive.

mouview · March 11, 2021, 02:03:48 PM

CL football next season all but guaranteed as the other candidates will all take themselves out. I have a feeling Leicester and Chelsea will hold on there also. As poor as United are, they're difficult enough to break down. OGS is widely-seen as a lame-duck manager though I'd say; good enough to get them where they are but no further. I don't think he would entice too many top, top, top players (rather, their agents) to sign on - even his compatriot Haaland. Homesick Cavani wants to go south, Pogba just wants to go anywhere else, even Fernandes is throwing an odd glance to the exit door. Not a good look.

TabClear · March 11, 2021, 02:05:16 PM

Quote from: Maroon Manc on March 11, 2021, 12:03:50 PM
Quote from: Ed Ricketts on March 10, 2021, 04:34:49 PM
300 years after it was first promised, today it seems that the club have actually appointed a Director of Football.

Well, a 'Football Director' - maybe that's the same thing? Darren Fletcher also given a bump. Hopefully signifies an intention to change how the club goes about recruitment. Matt Judge still there, though.

About time, nothing short of shambolic the way the club has been run since Fergie left; In fairness since Ole came in at least there's manager there who appears to see the bigger picture when it came to player recruitment.

A big summer ahead, as long as United make the CL and with the return of fans next season then United financially will be a in position to sign someone like Haaland and a top centre half although can't say I have any faith in it happening. I've watched a fair bit of football the last year and can't say there's too many centre half's who look that impressive.

I said this on the Liverpool thread. The two Leipzig centrehalves were very highly rated and linked with a number of top clubs in Jan with Upemancho (sp) going to Bayern. In the two matches I watched them recently they were not great

Rich Ricci · March 11, 2021, 02:29:05 PM

I think when judging CBs nowadays people are trying to find the next Van Dijk which just isn't going to happen. Players of that quality who can dominate their position like he has don't come along that often...Take maguire for example. Through no fault of his own he's went for the same sort of money as Van Dijk and now he's constantly compared to him. Fair enough he's made mistakes but he gets slated and labelled a dungbag just because he's not as good as Van Dijk.