[Tincanalley]

Last season, Young went into form after the bird pooped in his mouth.
This season, Smalling goes into form after LvG renamed him to Mike..

 

[RedDevil@84]

Exciting first half from Utd. Ok ish second half. We took our chances. And weathered the Wolfsburg attacks.
Rooney boy.. Wat a miss.

 

[Tincanalley]

Win against Sunderland 3-0 playing at a walking pace, controlling the match and some start complaining about we don't play with swagger and pace and keep attacking. Beat Wolfsburg 2-1 after a horrendous opening goal, come back and win, play with pace and producing an open end to end enjoyable game, some start complaining about tiredness and the selection against Ipswich.

How about fecking enjoying the win? Wolfsburg moved the ball with pace and intent and probably produced the best performance at Old Trafford this season, doing their part to liven up the game and we won at the end of it. We have Arsenal over the weekend and with both Schweinsteiger (awesome reaction for the card, fussballgot) and Schneiderlin on yellow, it was a calculated decision taking one of them off and in the end, it paid off.

Some of the complaints are rather silly. We didn't always win 5-0 against Champions League opponents, and I think we'll win this group. We've got the win we wanted to get us on track and Champions League midweek matches at Old Trafford again Yea, y'all don't have to keep praising United and it'sa forum and all that, but the way we cry about small things, kind of spoil it for me. We're Manchester United, not Moanchester United.

Brilliant post. Well decent post, at least . And yes, we do need to enjoy the win, which was a great achievement, kind of against the grain of how we dominated Eindhoven and lost, and how things were going for British clubs etc. I do hope we are not too knackered tired for the Arsenal game; they will have had a day more to recover.

 

[fishfingers15]

Brilliant post. Well decent post, at least . And yes, we do need to enjoy the win, which was a great achievement, kind of against the grain of how we dominated Eindhoven and lost, and how things were going for British clubs etc. I do hope we are not too knackered tired for the Arsenal game; they will have had a day more to recover.

I'd say it's an average post, just that we had so many bad posts that it looks decent.

 

[Varun]

Win against Sunderland 3-0 playing at a walking pace, controlling the match and some start complaining about we don't play with swagger and pace and keep attacking. Beat Wolfsburg 2-1 after a horrendous opening goal, come back and win, play with pace and producing an open end to end enjoyable game, some start complaining about tiredness and the selection against Ipswich.

How about fecking enjoying the win? Wolfsburg moved the ball with pace and intent and probably produced the best performance at Old Trafford this season, doing their part to liven up the game and we won at the end of it. We have Arsenal over the weekend and with both Schweinsteiger (awesome reaction for the card, fussballgot) and Schneiderlin on yellow, it was a calculated decision taking one of them off and in the end, it paid off.

Some of the complaints are rather silly. We didn't always win 5-0 against Champions League opponents, and I think we'll win this group. We've got the win we wanted to get us on track and Champions League midweek matches at Old Trafford again Yea, y'all don't have to keep praising United and it'sa forum and all that, but the way we cry about small things, kind of spoil it for me. We're Manchester United, not Moanchester United.

Amen to that.

 

[sglowrider]

We got very tired towards the end.

6 matches in 18 days will do it. Plus this philosphy ensures that the players need to have a lot of movements. And thus weary legs despite being only Sept.
I am wondering when he will start to do some serious rotation. Seems like he is picking from a group of 16-18 players only for all competitions.

 

[simonhch]

Honestly, I'm starting to think we'd have been better off sending Rooney to Dortmund and keeping Adnan for the no.10 role.

 

[Lawman]

Loved watching us last night was like United of old. Hargreaves is bitter and deluded with his commentary. We sure did tire and would liked to have seen Herrera on for Bastian. We sure miss the assurance Shaw and Darmain gave us as a pairing. Depay needs a rest, Smalling sensational and Bastian is a beast.

 

[buckooo1978]

just saw LVG's post match presser

The way he spoke about Mata you'd think our beautiful little Spaniard had a stinker

Van Gaal is crazy sometimes

 

[Ixion]

just saw LVG's post match presser

The way he spoke about Mata you'd think our beautiful little Spaniard had a stinker

Van Gaal is crazy sometimes

He's like that. I remember last season he seemed reluctant to praise DDG when he was saving our bacon and earlier this season when Januzaj scored at Villa he was more keen to point out what he did wrong. Doesn't seem to want any player to get carried away.

 

[dsch]

Last season, Young went into form after the bird pooped in his mouth.
This season, Smalling goes into form after LvG renamed him to Mike..

If I were the suspicious type, I'd suspect LVG had something to do with the pooping bird ...

 

[Dr. Funkenstein]

How about fecking enjoying the win? Wolfsburg moved the ball with pace and intent and probably produced the best performance at Old Trafford this season, doing their part to liven up the game and we won at the end of it.

I find it difficult to enjoy the win. The reaction of the team to the first goal was great, they took control of possession and started creating good chances, patiently but with some sense of urgency. It was about one chance every five minutes, as a logical consequence of having possesion and working it around to find the gaps, really, really good. Nu rush, no panic, just confident that if you play like this, chances will come regularly, like with an hour to go you have enough time to create 10 more chances.

But after the last goal, Wolfsburg were knocked down, they tried to hang on to a draw, and had failed, and they feared the 3-1 and 4-1 to come quickly, and maybe even more, and weren't confident to get enough of the ball to even try to turn the game around. They should have used that moment of weakness in Wolfsburg to rob them of all illusions, keep pressing and finish them of, let them gasp for air, don't give them time to reorganize. At least play the possesion game to break their spirit and have them running around without getting the ball. But both pressing and possession went immediately after the last goal, allowing Wolfsburg to regroup and reorganize, to confident in a result again. United invited and encouraged the fight back.

I was really annoyed by that reaction from the team to having scored themselves. It was stupid, it was a lack of intelligence, players should see when they are on top and how to stay on top and finish it of. They've been training on keeping possession for more than a year now, we've seen more demoralizing sideways passing than we want to, but at the moment it was the minimal requirement, they forgot how to play that game.

 

[fishfingers15]

I find it difficult to enjoy the win. The reaction of the team to the first goal was great, they took control of possession and started creating good chances, patiently but with some sense of urgency. It was about one chance every five minutes, as a logical consequence of having possesion and working it around to find the gaps, really, really good. Nu rush, no panic, just confident that if you play like this, chances will come regularly, like with an hour to go you have enough time to create 10 more chances.

But after the last goal, Wolfsburg were knocked down, they tried to hang on to a draw, and had failed, and they feared the 3-1 and 4-1 to come quickly, and maybe even more, and weren't confident to get enough of the ball to even try to turn the game around. They should have used that moment of weakness in Wolfsburg to rob them of all illusions, keep pressing and finish them of, let them gasp for air, don't give them time to reorganize. At least play the possesion game to break their spirit and have them running around without getting the ball. But both pressing and possession went immediately after the last goal, allowing Wolfsburg to regroup and reorganize, to confident in a result again. United invited and encouraged the fight back.

I was really annoyed by that reaction from the team to having scored themselves. It was stupid, it was a lack of intelligence, players should see when they are on top and how to stay on top and finish it of. They've been training on keeping possession for more than a year now, we've seen more demoralizing sideways passing than we want to, but at the moment it was the minimal requirement, they forgot how to play that game.

I've only played amateur games, and in school football, but it gave me enough experience to appreciate a football match. After taking the lead, we did surrender the initiative to Wolfsburg, but it was hardly something major that should STOP YOU FROM ENJOYING THE WIN. HOW CAN YOU NOT ENJOY A HARD FOUGHT EUROPEAN WIN AGAINST A TEAM THAT HASN'T LOST A LOT IN BUNDESLIGA THIS YEAR ASDFLKASDFASDFASDFASDFASDFADS DFASDKFAJDSFKAJDSFADSKFJADSKJF

 

[Question234]

I find it difficult to enjoy the win. The reaction of the team to the first goal was great, they took control of possession and started creating good chances, patiently but with some sense of urgency. It was about one chance every five minutes, as a logical consequence of having possesion and working it around to find the gaps, really, really good. Nu rush, no panic, just confident that if you play like this, chances will come regularly, like with an hour to go you have enough time to create 10 more chances.

But after the last goal, Wolfsburg were knocked down, they tried to hang on to a draw, and had failed, and they feared the 3-1 and 4-1 to come quickly, and maybe even more, and weren't confident to get enough of the ball to even try to turn the game around. They should have used that moment of weakness in Wolfsburg to rob them of all illusions, keep pressing and finish them of, let them gasp for air, don't give them time to reorganize. At least play the possesion game to break their spirit and have them running around without getting the ball. But both pressing and possession went immediately after the last goal, allowing Wolfsburg to regroup and reorganize, to confident in a result again. United invited and encouraged the fight back.

I was really annoyed by that reaction from the team to having scored themselves. It was stupid, it was a lack of intelligence, players should see when they are on top and how to stay on top and finish it of. They've been training on keeping possession for more than a year now, we've seen more demoralizing sideways passing than we want to, but at the moment it was the minimal requirement, they forgot how to play that game.

Some of you in here think that wolfsburg are sunderland, they are a very good side and we were better over 90 mins, but it was never going to be simple and clean.

Yea we spent too long on the backfoot in the end but that being said they couldn't break us down and de gea didn't have much to do, if you think this LVG team is going to dominate possession against teams in the CL as easily as it does teams in the PL you're dreaming. Completely different ball game in europe.

How you're not content with that win is beyond me.

 

[ivaldo]

I've only played amateur games, and in school football, but it gave me enough experience to appreciate a football match. After taking the lead, we did surrender the initiative to Wolfsburg, but it was hardly something major that should STOP YOU FROM ENJOYING THE WIN. HOW CAN YOU NOT ENJOY A HARD FOUGHT EUROPEAN WIN AGAINST A TEAM THAT HASN'T LOST A LOT IN BUNDESLIGA THIS YEAR ASDFLKASDFASDFASDFASDFASDFADS DFASDKFAJDSFKAJDSFADSKFJADSKJF

Well put although I would like to add BJYVDHMTJH F GHYTFSJAFFJFAJGNGJFJ.

 

[Tincanalley]

Could we have a Football Manager type fantasy thread where a "perfect" United play "perfect" football in a perfectly virtual New Trafford? Think a huge chunk of the Caf would enjoy it.

 

[CG1010]

Yeah, we need to keep our perspective and enjoy the football we are watching. Its been a long time since United's games have become interesting again!
I feel that lot of moaning is not from objective assessment. If it was SAF managing and we had the same set of results, then nobody would have been moaning. People have become very insecure after him retiring and us having two disastrous/poor seasons from our standards. And now they wouldn't take nothing less than a reincarnation of 1999/2008 side before they agree that we have made substantial progress.

 

[Tincanalley]

Yeah, we need to keep our perspective and enjoy the football we are watching. Its been a long time since United's games have become interesting again!
I feel that lot of moaning is not from objective assessment. If it was SAF managing and we had the same set of results, then nobody would have been moaning. People have become very insecure after him retiring and us having two disastrous/poor seasons from our standards. And now they wouldn't take nothing less than a reincarnation of 1999/2008 side before they agree that we have made substantial progress.

Yes @CG1010, only thing is, I watched the 1999 side plenty of times when they were breathlessly brilliant but also quite a few when they scraped 1-0 scores in drab games (or lost), or where Scholes/Keane didn't do the business, etc. etc. Memory is a funny thing.

 

[Wumminator]

Could we have a Football Manager type fantasy thread where a "perfect" United play "perfect" football in a perfectly virtual New Trafford? Think a huge chunk of the Caf would enjoy it.

That's it!

Can't imagine how you can't be over the moon with that win.

 

[LR7]

Couldn't be happier with the result. We missed some good chances and need to be a bit more clinical in that regard (Rooney and Memphis in particular) as that is why we lost against PSV, but we attacked well last night. We ended plenty of games in the Fergie era by inviting pressure on ourselves and hanging on a bit so it didn't feel like a new thing. It's just nice we could see it out.

This team is looking far more resilient than we did last season in terms of turning a game around when we go behind and in terms of seeing a result out when the opposition put pressure on.

 

[Crackers]

Does anyone have a gif of Wolfsburg's goal? And the build up for it?
@GifLord ?

 

[.Rossi]

 

[Rich_H_1989]

LVGs lack of praise for Mata was a bit puzzling but I guess kind of performance is what LVG expects from him all the time? He knows he's a talented player who scores and creates so he should be doing that most weeks.

It's because we've become used to Mata somewhat struggling on the wing that we all stood up and took notice last night. That and LVG doesn't seem to heap praise on the MOTM... Maybe he feels getting MOTM it's obvious you've played well? So he praises someone else (like last night with Smalling) who played brilliantly but didn't get the accolade?

This group is wide open right now and if we can go to Moscow and win then we're in a very strong position.

Last night was all about winning and we did that. Against PSV we played well but weren't ruthless enough. The pressure was on last night and we did the job. In patches we played with real control and moved the ball nicely.

I'm sure LVG will now address the issue of the last 20 minutes as he won't be happy with how we squandered possession so cheaply. He must also be wondering how much longer we can carry the captain? Who is becoming a real passenger.

 

[Borys]

Wolfsburg were surprisingly good. I mean, I never thought of them as a weak team but they attacking game was really fluid, although they didn’t manage to create a lot of chances, they could’ve got a draw on the other day.

On the other hand, they looked vulnerable in defence and we should’ve scored a couple more.

I’m satisfied with the game, we look tired at the end but it’s understandable.

Mata was excellent today, Martial and Smalling were very good as I expected, so was Schweinsteiger. Disappointed with Rooney and Memphis.

So basically the trend continues.

Schneiderlin will do better next game, he was overawed by the occasion.

 

[stepic]

if Fergie was managing last night, we would have 'ground out the win', similar to 'didn't play well but still won - sign of a title winning team'. that narrative is lost because it's LVG in charge.

 

[Question234]

how was it shite ?

Did he not see the back pass from mata. Behave man.

 

[Question234]

if Fergie was managing last night, we would have 'ground out the win', similar to 'didn't play well but still won - sign of a title winning team'. that narrative is lost because it's LVG in charge.

100%

 

[strongwalker]

Wolfsburg were surprisingly good. I mean, I never thought of them as a weak team but they attacking game was really fluid, although they didn’t manage to create a lot of chances, they could’ve got a draw on the other day.

On the other hand, they looked vulnerable in defence and we should’ve scored a couple more.

They missed Luiz Gustavo a lot i thought. He has the capability to close gaps in midfield. Their offensive midfield is top notch, their CBs are better than their reputation. They overall only lack quality in a very few positions for a real top team.

 

[carlosp]

Shocking how tired and sluggish we looked considering the stage of the season.

The lads are looking tired and sluggish because of all the games we are playing. This is where Sir Alex managed the team by rotating all the players, it's something LvG doesn't seem to have cottoned on to as he seems to trust only a certain amount of players and others he doesn't play because he doesn't trust them.

Fellaini, Rojo, Herrera, McNair should all be getting in games, especially in games like the Capital One Cup just so that the others can get a rest. LvG is trying to give players like Blind and Smalling a rest but there are others that need a rest too. Pity that Carrick is injured because LvG was managing him with Schweinsteiger and now with him out, Schweinsteiger seems to be taking all the games a bit hard. Glad he was subbed off against Wolfsburg but the lads lost the grip on the game when he did come off. Pity Schneiderlin is inconsistent. He should be the one that is taking the midfield by the leash and should be playing every game, but he is rather bad at the moment and having him playing with Schweinsteiger is a bit of a nightmare.

Rooney does need to come off though, he looks out of it at the moment even though he is playing most game. Looks like he needs a rest. The internationals doesn't help either because a lot of our players play those games too.

I would like to see Darmian and Mata given a rest too. The CC games, next one is Middlesbrough, should have all the other fringe players playing including reserves.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

The lads are looking tired and sluggish because of all the games we are playing. This is where Sir Alex managed the team by rotating all the players, it's something LvG doesn't seem to have cottoned on to as he seems to trust only a certain amount of players and others he doesn't play because he doesn't trust them.

Fellaini, Rojo, Herrera, McNair should all be getting in games, especially in games like the Capital One Cup just so that the others can get a rest. LvG is trying to give players like Blind and Smalling a rest but there are others that need a rest too. Pity that Carrick is injured because LvG was managing him with Schweinsteiger and now with him out, Schweinsteiger seems to be taking all the games a bit hard. Glad he was subbed off against Wolfsburg but the lads lost the grip on the game when he did come off. Pity Schneiderlin is inconsistent. He should be the one that is taking the midfield by the leash and should be playing every game, but he is rather bad at the moment and having him playing with Schweinsteiger is a bit of a nightmare.

Rooney does need to come off though, he looks out of it at the moment even though he is playing most game. Looks like he needs a rest. The internationals doesn't help either because a lot of our players play those games too.

I would like to see Darmian and Mata given a rest too. The CC games, next one is Middlesbrough, should have all the other fringe players playing including reserves.

It'll be a no win situation though. 'Boro are no pushovers and fielding a weakened team will cost us. It depends what you think our priorities are. If we go out, LVG will be slaughtered on here for bad team selection. field a strong side and he'll get slaughtered for not fielding fringe players!! Last night was our hardest game so far and we showed real character I felt.

Fact is injuries at the moment are heavily dictating the choice. Carrick, Herrera, Rojo are out for a while..hopefully not long. Shaw is finished for the season. Bonus is Jones is back but we are lacking depth in defence. Valencia is ok against weak opposition at home but hopeless against the best. Unfortunately that's what we have coming up in the next few weeks.

It's going to be a real test of character and squad strength. Mcnair pereira and others will have to play and stand up..no choice really.

 

[Stack]

Are match day threads a bad influence on how we perceive how we play?.
I watched the game but didnt go near the match day thread till after the game. I thought it was a pretty entertaining game and that for most fo the game we had played pretty well, we had a section near the end where we looked shaky but it didnt seem anywhere near as catastrophic as the match day thread would indicate.
Do we end up viewing games in a negative manner as the comments fuel that angle?

 

[Stack]

how was it shite ?

Did he not see the back pass from mata. Behave man.

Maybe something was lost in translation?. Maybe he felt it was a shite goal to give up?. If we had let in a goal like that I would have been pissed off about it.

 

[acrebo]

Win against Sunderland 3-0 playing at a walking pace, controlling the match and some start complaining about we don't play with swagger and pace and keep attacking. Beat Wolfsburg 2-1 after a horrendous opening goal, come back and win, play with pace and producing an open end to end enjoyable game, some start complaining about tiredness and the selection against Ipswich.

How about fecking enjoying the win? Wolfsburg moved the ball with pace and intent and probably produced the best performance at Old Trafford this season, doing their part to liven up the game and we won at the end of it. We have Arsenal over the weekend and with both Schweinsteiger (awesome reaction for the card, fussballgot) and Schneiderlin on yellow, it was a calculated decision taking one of them off and in the end, it paid off.

Some of the complaints are rather silly. We didn't always win 5-0 against Champions League opponents, and I think we'll win this group. We've got the win we wanted to get us on track and Champions League midweek matches at Old Trafford again Yea, y'all don't have to keep praising United and it'sa forum and all that, but the way we cry about small things, kind of spoil it for me. We're Manchester United, not Moanchester United.

Love this post, nailed it!

Yeah, we made hard work of it, but it's a Champions League night at Old Trafford! Against Germany's second best team who have only lost to Bayern this season and, let's be completely fair, play some really nice, technical football. The Bundesliga might be a one-horse race but that's because Bayern are so bloody good - they do have quality over there at the moment.

I really enjoyed last night because of the nerves. I can't remember the last time I watched a Champions League match and thought the seconds were going backwards as we hung on for a vital win... it was a fairly common feature of SAF's United sides too. The feeling when that final whistle went was one of relief and elation - a "yes!" moment.

Anyone that didn't have that feeling at the final whistle needs to have a reality check. European football is tough.

 

[Feedingseagulls]

One quick note. Valencia was not the only one playing the Wolfsburg goal-scorer onside.

 

[Stack]

One quick note. Valencia was not the only one playing the Wolfsburg goal-scorer onside.

His error wasnt the worst for that goal to be fair. We had 3 defenders all go towards the ball carrier when only 1 was needed.

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

Positive:
We fought back very well after having conceded such an unnecessary goal.
We dominated the game until the 2:1 and had some good chances. Some nice build-up play.
Martial, Depay and Mata really troubled Wolfsburg`s defence.
Smalling might be on the way to become of one of the world`s best CBs.

Negative:
Our defenders were asleep when we conceded the goal. Very bad defending from Blind, Valencia and Darmian.
The most negative aspect is that we completely stopped playing football after the 2:1. It has only been minute 55. Much too early to go into Mourinho mode.

The guy fro Wolfsburg are bad losers. They moaned about the penalty and that the second goal was pure luck.

In the end our win has been deserved but could have been higher if we had continued to play as before.

Still not convincing enough over 90 minutes but we are in a good position in Europe as well as in the league.

 

[carlosp]

It'll be a no win situation though. 'Boro are no pushovers and fielding a weakened team will cost us. It depends what you think our priorities are. If we go out, LVG will be slaughtered on here for bad team selection. field a strong side and he'll get slaughtered for not fielding fringe players!! Last night was our hardest game so far and we showed real character I felt.

Fact is injuries at the moment are heavily dictating the choice. Carrick, Herrera, Rojo are out for a while..hopefully not long. Shaw is finished for the season. Bonus is Jones is back but we are lacking depth in defence. Valencia is ok against weak opposition at home but hopeless against the best. Unfortunately that's what we have coming up in the next few weeks.

It's going to be a real test of character and squad strength. Mcnair pereira and others will have to play and stand up..no choice really.

I agree but unfortunately other than Pereira, none of the others are getting playing time at the moment. LvG needs to rotate with Fellaini, McNair, Herrera, Rojo, Lingard and Wilson. Those are our current backup options. I would rather they get the chance against Middlesbrough than play our regulars, just to give our regulars a rest chance.

CC against Middlesbrough

------------Wilson
Pereira-Fellaini-Lingard
-Schneiderlin-Herrera-
Rojo-McNair-Jones-Valencia
------De Gea/Romero

LvG would need to have started working with this team though in order to get them prepared for the game.

 

[djembatheking]

Are match day threads a bad influence on how we perceive how we play?.
I watched the game but didnt go near the match day thread till after the game. I thought it was a pretty entertaining game and that for most fo the game we had played pretty well, we had a section near the end where we looked shaky but it didnt seem anywhere near as catastrophic as the match day thread would indicate.
Do we end up viewing games in a negative manner as the comments fuel that angle?

Matchday threads are full of knee jerk responses , I don`t bother looking at them til either half time or after the game as for me it spoils the watching of the match .

 

[carlosp]

Does anyone have a gif of Wolfsburg's goal? And the build up for it?
@GifLord ?

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/manchester-united-vs-vfl-wolfsburg.409951/page-12#post-18208300

 

[)_(]

Really happy with the first half mostly, wish we would've finished them off though because the last bit caused quite a bit of stress! Great performance, by mata and smalling mostly! Rooney, I can forgive him for his performance because of his defensive contributions...