[Livewire1974]

Agreed.

Only watched the second half but we were weaving some very nice combinations and, despite being a man down we looked threatening. Rooney and Ibra should've decided the game today for us, that was 2 poor misses.

We'll improve but seeing the shite during the last 3 years it is not going to be easy.

Rooneys miss was not poor. If that had gone it it would be a contender for goal of the month.

 

[Enigma_87]

Rooneys miss was not poor. If that had gone it it would be a contender for goal of the month.

Thought it was poor to put it over the bar from the penalty spot. He should at least hit the target from that range or had it blocked.

 

[Jacko21]

I'm 100% behind Jose, as I said in my original post, he was and still is the right person in my view.

However, he's got to make some changes and deal with some major issues in the team otherwise the season will be another write-off. Some of our best and most creative players can't even get on the bench yet we've others there who are Championship players and are no where near the standard to achieve top 4.

If today was an isolated incident, 2 dropped points at home against a team likely to be relegated, then it would be less of a concern. Unfortunately it isn't a one-off, we have 15 points out of a possible 30.

From where we sit today, both in the table and how we're playing, it'd take a miracle for us to make top 4, never mind challenge for the league, which as far as I'm concerned is unacceptable hence my point about big decisions for Jose and making them quickly.

I agree there are some significant issues that need addressing. But there is only so much Mourinho can do - he can't legislate for individuals being incredibly inconsistent from one week to the next. He has to get into the psyche, to understand what drives them etc before he can begin to help them.

What can Mourinho do about Zlatan missing chances that, until now, he takes with complete ease?

Just when he (and we) think we've found our best XI, that same team fails to impress the following game, so no significant progress is made.

I honestly don't know what the answer is. Pretty much everything (and others) have said on here has been attempted regarding formation, player selection etc. And we're still no closer.

But for sheer force of will, I am not sure what can be done.

And I know you make your own luck, but it'd be nice if we caught a break at some point - one less injury, or a shot that hits the inside of the post as opposed to the outside.

We've lacked confidence and momentum for three whole years.

And our problems have been compounded by our four summer signings all faltering for one reason or another. Zlatan is misfiring. Pogba is struggling for consistency. Henrikh is, according to Jose, off the pace. And Bailly, through not fault of his own, is injured.

I suspect Jose hoped such signings would have the same impact as Costa, Fabregas and Courtois in the 14/15 season. Thus far, such impact is yet to be felt.

 

[Sarni]

That's 4 points we dropped in games that were basically impossible to drop points in if you looked at how we played. Feck.

 

[Raw]

That's 4 points we dropped in games that were basically impossible to drop points in if you looked at how we played. Feck.

Which would put us 1 point behind 4th. So frustrating.

 

[Gentleman Jim]

At this point of the season quite a few middling to poor teams raise their game and provide a test for the top tier teams.
They still have plenty of energy to expend and injuries have not taken too great a toll yet.
Come Jan/Feb more games will go with form.

 

[Dumbstar]

Don't wish to put further gloom on you lot but City and us found Swansea quite tough. Burnley, regardless of them beating us, were a walk in the park in comparison. You'll need Carrick to replace Herrera.

 

[Gentleman Jim]

Don't wish to put further gloom on you lot but City and us found Swansea quite tough. Burnley, regardless of them beating us, were a walk in the park in comparison. You'll need Carrick to replace Herrera.

Quite right. They will indeed be a test particularly after United's midweek commitments.

 

[Raw]

You guys did face them with Guidolin in charge. May be a completely different kind of game against Bradley's Swansea.

 

[M Bison]

I agree there are some significant issues that need addressing. But there is only so much Mourinho can do - he can't legislate for individuals being incredibly inconsistent from one week to the next. He has to get into the psyche, to understand what drives them etc before he can begin to help them.

What can Mourinho do about Zlatan missing chances that, until now, he takes with complete ease?

Just when he (and we) think we've found our best XI, that same team fails to impress the following game, so no significant progress is made.

I honestly don't know what the answer is. Pretty much everything (and others) have said on here has been attempted regarding formation, player selection etc. And we're still no closer.

But for sheer force of will, I am not sure what can be done.

And I know you make your own luck, but it'd be nice if we caught a break at some point - one less injury, or a shot that hits the inside of the post as opposed to the outside.

We've lacked confidence and momentum for three whole years.

And our problems have been compounded by our four summer signings all faltering for one reason or another. Zlatan is misfiring. Pogba is struggling for consistency. Henrikh is, according to Jose, off the pace. And Bailly, through not fault of his own, is injured.

I suspect Jose hoped such signings would have the same impact as Costa, Fabregas and Courtois in the 14/15 season. Thus far, such impact is yet to be felt.

Can't disagree with anything you've said here, very good post.

 

[The Brown Bull]

We could have won by a hatful of goals.
Zlatan could probably do with being dropped.
Try Rashford in the striking role.
Pick Mkitaryan.
Pick Mata.
Drop Lingard.
The ref was crap, Ander didn't deserve a red.
Rooney is only a shadow of the player he was.
Luckless today but keep at it, keep the faith.

 

[Yorkeontop]

Poor finishing will haunt our season.

 

[Jaxdan]

Just one of those days where nothing was going to go in. Heaton played out of his mind and we couldn't finish a glass of milk. Even if we were rightfully awarded the PK, it probably gets saved on a day like today. Side was well chosen and on the front foot all day even playing down a man. I'll call out Jose when deserved, but he nailed it today. He can't tap it in for the boys. One of them days...I'm just glad we didn't get 'Burned' and let them steal the win.

 

[Livewire1974]

Thought it was poor to put it over the bar from the penalty spot. He should at least hit the target from that range or had it blocked.

Yeah, there was not a load of bodies in front of him and he had loads of time to place it like a penalty.

 

[Dumbstar]

Just one of those days where nothing was going to go in. Heaton played out of his mind and we couldn't finish a glass of milk. Even if we were rightfully awarded the PK, it probably gets saved on a day like today. Side was well chosen and on the front foot all day even playing down a man. I'll call out Jose when deserved, but he nailed it today. He can't tap it in for the boys. One of them days...I'm just glad we didn't get 'Burned' and let them steal the win.

 

[SirScholes]

Eh? Misfiring striker should have been taken off then. But it's not what Mourinho did.

For who?

 

[SirScholes]

And why was he in the team? Rashford should be starting through the middle

Everyone in here was pulling their todge after his second half performance against city.
And to be fair you'd of thought, playing home against Burnley what a great opportunity for him to get on the score sheet, he wasn't to know he'd miss such easy chances

 

[DenisIrwin]

Don't panic. We played well. Nothing wrong with sticking with the same players and system.

 

[Vashu]

Aaand the title race is over for us. We've lost points today, but I thought we've played quite positively. There was some chemistry on show, though none had their scoring boots and then the red card happened. Clatenburg is a right cnut for not awarding at least 1 penalty kick for 2 fouls on Darmian inside the box. So much for a supposed proUnited referee...

 

[Organic Potatoes]

Rojo really isn't that bad in his natural position. Until he tries to shoot, of course...

 

[Backrow Singer]

I thought we played very well. We were positive in attack, the front four interchanged really well and Pogba had his best game in a United shirt IMO. As the stats show, we created chance after chance but you have to put the ball in the back of the net.

Never a second yellow IMO. First one, fair enough. The second challenge, Herrera clearly slips and is unable to pull out. Poor decision from a poor referee.

Ibrahimavic needs to sort himself out. He had some really nice touches today but he's literally costing us points at the minute. He's a number 9 and his main job, however you look at it, is to put the ball in the back of the net. He is missing chance after chance after chance and just needs to do better. Really letting us down at the minute.

There are positives there though. Mata was outstanding, midfield looked good and we played some lovely patterns but all those positives are lost somewhat when you don't finish chances off.

Frustrating afternoon.

 

[Catt]

The opinions of 'most' match going fans and the RedCafe faithful could not be more different tbh!

The matchgoers happy with some of the performances under Mourinho so far?

 

[Jep]

Wheres the other penalty shouts on motd?

 

[DanNistelrooy]

Guys I was at the game today and didn't think darmians shout in the first half was a pen (having just watched motd I think it probably was though!)

But there was one in the 2nd half just after Herreras sending off, again on Darmian Which looked a stonewall. Was hoping motd would show it but they didn't. Anything in it? Any gif at all?

 

[Jep]

Guys I was at the game today and didn't think darmians shout in the first half was a pen (having just watched motd I think it probably was though!)

But there was one in the 2nd half just after Herreras sending off, again on Darmian Which looked a stonewall. Was hoping motd would show it but they didn't. Anything in it? Any gif at all?

Im after this as well. Mills and keown both agreed it was a peno, 2nd one on darmian that is. Also wanna see handball shout

 

[Vashu]

Guys I was at the game today and didn't think darmians shout in the first half was a pen (having just watched motd I think it probably was though!)

But there was one in the 2nd half just after Herreras sending off, again on Darmian Which looked a stonewall. Was hoping motd would show it but they didn't. Anything in it? Any gif at all?

Watched them both in slow motion from different angles on tv and they were both fouls, although the second situation wasn't that easy to pinpoint for the ref.

 

[r0663664]

Sorry at out current form, there is no way that we finish top 4. It is very likely that we miss out on everything thing and finish mid table with no European football. The beat route for champion league will be winning the Europa League. I think that the only route. Looking at how City, Liverpool and Arsenal are playing. They are fighting for the championship.

 

[Randall Flagg]

Rojo really isn't that bad in his natural position. Until he tries to shoot, of course...

He has done grand for the two games but hasn't been seriously tested yet either

 

[r0663664]

Knee jerk or what ? We would have won the game no problem without the sending off , we still kept going , we had these games under saf we will have these games for ever more, if we keep playing this way top four is a certainty

Really? That's Burnley, not City. This team cannot dominate the likes of City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Liverpool. We may also struggle with Everton, Southampton or West Ham. I am not too optimistic about top 4.

 

[P-Nut]

7 hours after the game finished and I am still fuming that we didn't absolutely smash them to bits.

Mkhi and Martial need to come in for Lingard and Rashford.

Imagine a fresh Rashford coming on for the last 20 minutes of that game. The defence would be sitting themselves.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I think that's it for the title. We are simply you going to drop more points than our rivals.

Need to refocus on top 4.

How does that work exactly? You either win your games or you don't. Teams don't pick and choose where they end up and then go out and play to make sure they don't over achieve. Do you think they will say "Oh we can't win this game or it may win us the championship".

I see comments like this allot on here and it just makes no sense in reality. How do you think teams win titles? Surely they try and win games.

 

[Friction]

A frustrating result, but honestly, except for essentially losing 2 easy points, I didn't see too much wrong with the way we played. Everything, including luck and fate, seemed to have our number today. Our finishing wasn't as sharp as it needed to be, but we had plenty of good shots on target. It's just that their goalkeeper had a mind-blowing game. Probably the best display I have seen by a keeper. We were unlucky with the refs a few times. He botched a few obvious calls in my opinion. Herrera was unfortunate to see red for making contact while slipping. Though again, Clattenberg should have sent off Flanagan for a clear double yellow. I think on another day, we could have won that game 6-0. That is football. And sometimes that's all that can be said.

 

[Will Singh]

Zlaten is the new Rooney, holding us back and looks like his undroppable....

 

[Cypriot]

Tell you what, I felt like an absolute child when I repeatedly smacked seat after Rojo's attempted 35 yard screamer in the 90th minute after good build up play. Moronic. Rooney seems to have infected Zlatan with whatever talent sucking virus he's got and I thought we were significantly less threatening when Mata was brought off for Fellaini.

Overall I thought it was a good performance, with some unacceptable finishing. Peppering them all game even with 10 men, some great football and chance after chance is great to see but we've just got to start putting away our chances. Hoping for better in the next game - would drop Ibra myself.

 

[Handré1990]

He has done grand for the two games but hasn't been seriously tested yet either

That's kind of a catch 22 in my opinion, he didn't give any of the attacking players a chance to test him. He has surprised me to say the least. He stayed very close to the attackers when he should, and didn't give them a chance to turn. Also very ruthless and accurate with his tackles. Seems to have a good understanding with Blind as well, allthough I suspect Blind is easy to play alongside.

 

[Handré1990]

I agree there are some significant issues that need addressing. But there is only so much Mourinho can do - he can't legislate for individuals being incredibly inconsistent from one week to the next. He has to get into the psyche, to understand what drives them etc before he can begin to help them.

What can Mourinho do about Zlatan missing chances that, until now, he takes with complete ease?

Just when he (and we) think we've found our best XI, that same team fails to impress the following game, so no significant progress is made.

I honestly don't know what the answer is. Pretty much everything (and others) have said on here has been attempted regarding formation, player selection etc. And we're still no closer.

But for sheer force of will, I am not sure what can be done.

And I know you make your own luck, but it'd be nice if we caught a break at some point - one less injury, or a shot that hits the inside of the post as opposed to the outside.

We've lacked confidence and momentum for three whole years.

And our problems have been compounded by our four summer signings all faltering for one reason or another. Zlatan is misfiring. Pogba is struggling for consistency. Henrikh is, according to Jose, off the pace. And Bailly, through not fault of his own, is injured.

I suspect Jose hoped such signings would have the same impact as Costa, Fabregas and Courtois in the 14/15 season. Thus far, such impact is yet to be felt.

Very good post, and I couldn't agree more. If we play (I said play, not finish!) like this consistently we're going to pick up enough points for top four imo. What more could Mourinho do?

 

[Drz]

Unbelievably frustrating coming off without scoring after such a performance.
Main points points for me : Zlatan has now missed enough clear cut chances to warrant dropping to the bench (should really be used like we did H. Larsson nothing more). Pogba had a quiet 1st half but I thought he had a good influence in the second half, probably his best performance in a red shirt I have seen from him, a shame we did not win.
I am going to keep banging this drum : what about A. Martial up-top!!!!!!!

 

[Nakhon Phanom]

It was one of those days.I don't think we played that badly,too be honest.
Inspired goalkeeping by Heaton,great defensive work by their centre backs,wayward finishing and bad luck....39 attempts,19 corners,0 goals.
On the plus side I thought Darmian and Rojo did OK after being drafted into the defence.
But the star man was surely Mata who had one of his best games for us......cant understand why he was substituted ?
But too many players were average and the lack of goals is becoming a worry.

 

[Insanity]

Still can't believe we didn't get all three points from that game. One of the best chance creating performances from the team in a while.

The good last night: It's nice to see that our players had the freedom to express themselves. After two years of watching us play like robots, that was a welcome change. Mata was excellent.

The bad: Clattenburg is a fecking cnut. Should have had a pen, and the second yellow for Herrera'a slip was a mind boggling decision.
Our finishing was terrible. Zlatan has been atrocious so far. The blowhard needs to match his big words with action.
The subs were VGesque. Replacing Mata, Lingard and Rashford for three sorry excuses of footballers was unforgivably bad. I don't know what the excuse is, but an "unaccustomed to the league" Mkhi can't be as bad as Depay. I refuse to accept that.

Don't know what to take from the game. Was it a harbinger of better things to come or did the draws show that we are a 7th-8th placed team?

In LVG's first season we were 10th with 13 points after 10 games and still made the top 4. The top 6 after 10 games:

Chelsea - 26 points
Southampton - 22 points
City - 20 points
Arsenal - 17
West Ham - 17
Swansea - 15

This season:

City - 23
Arsenal - 23
Liverpool - 23
Spurs - 20
Chelsea - 19 (9 games)
Everton - 15 (9 games)

United - 15 points (8th positions)

We were 4 points off then and are 5 points off now (Will be 7 if Chelsea win tonight). Top 4 cup can still be won if we go on a run now. Needs to happen now, though. Can't afford to lose more points against bottom half teams. Need to channel our inner Arsenal.

 

[Ferguson]

We are better than under LVG and Moyes. Even in our recent poor results we have played better than in previous seasons.

It's a process. You don't just develop a killer instinct overnight.

Let the squad become accustomed to pummeling teams on the ropes like this one and we'll start to see opponents hitting the canvas in due course.