[togg]

Mata... assist & goal. Very impressive today and his attitude and lack of egotism,, really enjoyed that.
Sunderland's not having the best of seasons, but it's good to sea that we're improving. Darmian on the left never looked vulnerable, Blind's passing, Martial, lots of positive notes for this one. And Depay's good when it matters, only fails when it doesn't matter. Don't think he'll be satisfied with this match though. He made the most important goal, but with Young our play on the left channel looked better.

I thought Darmian was amazing today????

 

[Siorac]

Mata... assist & goal. Very impressive today and his attitude and lack of egotism,, really enjoyed that.
Sunderland's not having the best of seasons, but it's good to sea that we're improving. Darmian on the left never looked vulnerable, Blind's passing, Martial, lots of positive notes for this one. And Depay's good when it matters, only fails when it doesn't matter. Don't think he'll be satisfied with this match though. He made the most important goal, but with Young our play on the left channel looked better.

Understatement of the year.

We played well in the second half though, no doubt. I don't care if it was 'only Sunderland'.

 

[Sigma]

The performance vastly improved after the first goal went in. We need to start young over Memphis who's been really shit despite the goal. Young gives us some directness up front.

Young for the minutes he played (admittedly not a lot) had a few chances to get a cross in and I don't think he managed it. I would defiantly start Memphis over Young.

 

[carlosp]

I missed the first half, caught the second, and we played very well in that.

Memphis should have bagged another, too.

Memphis should have passed to Martial to score. Don't know why he didn't it was two against the goal keeper. Selfish and bad decision.

 

[caid]

I missed Rooney's goal and they didn't show a single damn replay
Any gifs knocking about?

Good performance though. Valencia and Mata works better going forward than Darmian, Mata imo.
Despite Valencia still being a bit rubbish.
That back 4 worked well though and it keeps blind central who was great again, i'd be pretty reluctant to move him personally even if he's probably our best left back atm.
Schweinsteiger is our best midfielder by a distance, we really look another class as a team with him on the pitch.
Good goals and performance by our front 4. Martial really makes a difference and looks a pretty perfect foil for all 3 of the midfielders.
Thought Memphis was really poor despite the goal and while he's young and will take a while to settle he's pissing me off a bit tbh.

Edit:
Oh and i gave blind MotM - as much for some of the passes in the ipswich game and the goal against liverpool as for the pass today. Just a great little cb

 

[shabadu84]

Once we scored, had the feel of business as usual which is fantastic - don't think that's been the case since Fergie left.

Would have liked to show more intent against a parked bus, that cost us against Newcastle but the goal opened the game up and we responded nicely. The first half showing how far Sunderland were sitting back:

Martial and Mata excellent. Blind is a revelation at CB. Darmian looked competent at LB and hell, even Valencia got a cross past the first man! Memphis had no end product but I felt it was still a positive step for him in the league. Rooney grew into the match, actually had influence for a change.

Top of the league and it feels like we're just hitting our stride

 

[Kag]

Memphis should have passed to Martial to score. Don't know why he didn't it was two against the goal keeper. Selfish and bad decision.

Nonsense. He's one vs one with the keeper and was more than entitled to take an effort on goal.

He simply went the wrong way.

 

[Siorac]

Memphis should have passed to Martial to score. Don't know why he didn't it was two against the goal keeper. Selfish and bad decision.

Nah, I disagree, there was a covering defender, it would have been a risky pass. And it was a golden chance for him, the finish simply should have been better.

 

[Lewis.no.9]

very happy tonight. Martial take a bow. If Memphis squared when 1 on 1 then martial would of scored. Pretty selfish especially considering the shocking finish.

blind is sex

 

[Raw]

Our last 5 games:

3-0 v Sunderland
3-0 v Ipswich
3-2 v Southampton
1-2 v PSV
3-1 v Liverpool

Scored 3 goals in 4/5 games. It's nice to see that we're capable of scoring goals again.

 

[JB08]

I missed Rooney's goal and they didn't show a single damn replay
Any gifs knocking about?

Spoiler

 

[worldinmotion66]

Between Darmian and Martial for Man of the Match, Smalling was solid as usual and Rooney seemed a different player after the second went in - he's a much better player when he has more forward runners and is afforded the luxury of self expression.

I enjoy dominating possession, I just feel that with a little more tempo and urgency in the first 15 minutes to push for a breakthrough, this philosophy could enable us to challenge for the league title. We look dominant and threatening when we have a lead, and teams are forced to push forward in numbers.

 

[bosnian_red]

The only thing I could say negatively about that is that against teams like Sunderland, we need to go for the kill more instead of trying to get 70% possession. They were there for the taking to rack up the goals, and even though we created a decent amount, we could have created a lot more I think. Everyone played well though. Martial up front gives us a whole other dimension to our play, was like playing without a striker before. I think he won't be able to keep up this level all season as he's only 19, but he's been the best striker in the league in September. Never mind that, he's been arguably the best player in the league this past month. Looks every bit a 36 or 50 million or whatever we paid man so far.

 

[Yik]

Just looking at the table and seeing Arsenal so close, I feel like a United/Arsenal title race would be so much fun. Its been too long since we've had a proper fight with them and lately the fixture itself has been drained of any drama or sense of rivalry.

I wish City would just feck off and be shite all season, and let us two fight it out for once.

 

[Henk de Rode]

I thought Darmian was amazing today????

Yes, he did great especially considering he had to play a different position.

 

[Sandikan]

Memphis should have passed to Martial to score. Don't know why he didn't it was two against the goal keeper. Selfish and bad decision.

these things are even more infuriating when you have Martial as captain in your fantasy team.

Assist or goal were the only 2 outcomes. yet Memphis managed a third one..a crap shot.

He's way less polished than Martial. But I wonder if he'll eventually eclipse Martial, as Ronaldo did Rooney, after initially being behind.

 

[Paul the Wolf]

After the first goal we relaxed , total control again. Nice to be top of the league again.
Nine goals in 3 matches for a team that doesn't score - Martial MOM

 

[Rake]

We were pretty good today but the final pass is really lacking despite us scoring 3 goals. We need to improve that aspect of our game.

 

[JackXX]

A lot of good performances today. Mata, Smalling, Blind, Martial were all excellent. I wonder if people will get off the manager/teams back now we are top? That win away against Southampton looks a pretty decent performance now. There has been far too much criticism of this side which is still in transition. Hopefully we can keep this run going.

 

[Lennon7]

I thought Darmian was amazing today????

So you agree with the post you quoted then?
-
I think I correctly predicted the line up for the first time, will have to double check it though.

 

[Scarecrow]

Good performance by the defense, despite being against the worst team in the league. It has brought me hope that we won't have to play with Rojo. By far our best back four currently, let's stick with it.

Tony Martial is the complete forward. He's brought life to our attack. Makes everyone around him better.

 

[caid]

Spoiler

Cheers,
great play by Martial

 

[JB08]

Cheers,
great play by Martial

No problem. He really is brilliant.

 

[Mark_GrumpyLion]

Back where we belong. Good game today, controlled and methodical. Maybe a bit slow at times, but with the big CL fixture coming I can forgive the team for that.

 

[littlepeasoup]

I'll never get the decision, somewhere on Wearside, to sanction a kit design where the primary colour is the same shade as grass.

Madness. Top of the league.

 

[Florida Man]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this the first time we played really well scoring a good amount of goals against a parked bus?

 

[doomy20]

Solid. Very solid performance and good stuff by Rooney, Mata, Martial, Darmian.

Need to keep it up though as we have a VERY hard run of games coming up. Vs. Wolfsburg, @ Arsenal, @ Everton, @ Moscow followed by the derby. Massive month that will be.

 

[itso 7]

Martial was very impressive, yet again. Great to see Rooney scoring and back in good touch, Mata was great and I thought Schneiderlin was more assured on the ball today. Darmian should stay at LB until we can do something about the position in January or he can hold fort till Shaw gets back. Memphis ought to be dropped and reverse roles with Young but you can understand the manager's POV though because if it was Young on the pitch he doesn't make that run, Mata is forced to shoot and maybe we don't score. We need more from him because he and Martial are our outlets and the way our attack is designed they are crucial in creating space and time for Rooney and Mata.

 

[nistleloy]

Slow start but looked comfortable throughout and scored just before and after half time which killed off the contest. Great performance from Martial, the only thing he didn't do was score. Blind and Smalling look very comfortable against a poor attack. We dominated midfield and looked to be more creative in the second half.

Even nice the Rooney scored.

Top of the league!

 

[MZX7]

A moment's thought for Darmian who was brilliant at LB. Blind and Darmian are quality flexible players.

Great performance by Martial,Mata,Rooney,Darmian,Blind,Valencia,Young,Carrick and Memphis...in that order.

De Gea again proves his reliability when called upon. Had he started games from the get go, we wouldn't be just 1 point clear of City.

Great to watch.

Notable mention to Bastian!

 

[RaptorSlo]

Oh top of the league, how I have missed you!

And finally, Rooney stopped being a passenger in the second half!

 

[Jagga7]

2nd half was great, playing with so much confidence and nonchalance. 3-0 really flattered Sunderland.

 

[Jacob]

I think many of you are getting carried away. Martial was good, nothing more than that. Beside a well-worked assist and some decent hold-up play, what did he do?

 

[Raw]

After 7 games last season we conceded 10 goals. This season we've conceded 5. Not too shabby

 

[fishfingers15]

I just can't keep up with the all these false hopes and terrible dawns.

Top of the league. Hello, hello.. you listen to the manager.

 

[MZX7]

I think many of you are getting carried away. Martial was good, nothing more than that. Beside a well-worked assist and some decent hold-up play, what did he do?

Clearly you watched the game with a different lens as opposed to others? He played with great maturity and selflessness. He was cool, calm and collected. Created a few chances for his fellow players and came off with an assist. He was involved from start to finish. Is there something else you expect from a 19 year old who came into the league a month or so ago??

 

[Jaapster]

really pissed off with the performance!!!
i had 3-1 at the bookies and they couldnt even concede one goal tossers !!
i did think once jones came on i had a chance, nah not happening.

on a more serious and none profit making basis loved the performance, so feckin easy .
back to money time to forget teams scoring against united 3-0 is my preferred score now
anyhow £2 in the roulette machine on the way out got me £21.60 so its a free bet apart from giving my kids a fiver to get some
sweets .

top of the league now breath of fresh air we had more chance of a badger bumming a rhino under moyes happy dayssssssssssssss

 

[Jacob]

Clearly you watched the game with a different lens as opposed to others? He played with great maturity and selflessness. He was cool, calm and collected. Created a few chances for his fellow players and came off with an assist. He was involved from start to finish. Is there something else you expect from a 19 year old who came into the league a month or so ago??

I didn't have too much expectations, I judge him objectively as all the others. Calling this a 'brilliant display' is setting the bar a bit low imo. I gave him 7/10.

 

[togg]

So you agree with the post you quoted then?
-
I think I correctly predicted the line up for the first time, will have to double check it though.

Yes..I thought Darmian was great.

I think many of you are getting carried away. Martial was good, nothing more than that. Beside a well-worked assist and some decent hold-up play, what did he do?

Oh come on Jacob...he's 19. He's done more in the matches he's played than most players 5,6 7 years older than him that have been signed during a summer. He's amazingly cool on the ball....not selfish...and has pace, balance, and scores. You can't ask more than that for a 19 year old that has never played in what is termed as the most competitive league in the world. Sure, he might fall on his ass later, but for now..he's bloody gold dust.

 

[Jacob]

Yes..I thought Darmian was great.


Oh come on Jacob...he's 19. He's done more in the matches he's played than most players 5,6 7 years older than him that have been signed during a summer. He's amazingly cool on the ball....not selfish...and has pace, balance, and scores. You can't ask more than that for a 19 year old that has never played in what is termed as the most competitive league in the world. Sure, he might fall on his ass later, but for now..he's bloody gold dust.

I rarely take age into account when I value a performance. I agree that he looks a composed finisher with good movement, but it was still Sunderland at home, in a game which we dominated from start to finish.