[Crimson King]

It's easy to say that we should have gone for it, but hindsight is 20/20.

Say Liverpool won, then we picked our strongest team full of tired players, Pogba and Herrera pick up injuries and we still end up losing. We'd be in a much, much worse position than we are this morning. We know we aren't getting top 4, I wouldn't back us to beat Southampton at home never mind Spurs away. This made by far the most sense, and anyone accusing Jose of throwing the game needs to have a word.

We're actually playing Southampton away, our only home game left in the league is Palace I think.

This is why I don't understand why people think we should have gone for it yesterday. The chances of winning all 4 remaining league games is very slim, but in Europa we already have 1 foot in the final where we will likely face a young (albeit talented) Ajax. We pretty much have 2 games a week now until the end of the season, the injuries are easing slightly but there isn't really enough time to get fully match sharp.

Something had to give, and that came yesterday. It wasn't an horrendous loss, and the team should have done better, but we had an 18 year old RB, a RB at CB and our CBs are just back from injury. The attack didn't click, but it rarely has without Pogba this season.

Some people really need to gain some perspective. Also, arsenal won't get 4th. City and Liverpool aren't going to slip that much, and they have an FA cup final to think about. The league is done and dusted at the top end of you ask me.

 

[Ramshock]

How did Mata do?

 

[2 man midfield]

We're actually playing Southampton away, our only home game left in the league is Palace I think.

This is why I don't understand why people think we should have gone for it yesterday. The chances of winning all 4 remaining league games is very slim, but in Europa we already have 1 foot in the final where we will likely face a young (albeit talented) Ajax. We pretty much have 2 games a week now until the end of the season, the injuries are easing slightly but there isn't really enough time to get fully match sharp.

Something had to give, and that came yesterday. It wasn't an horrendous loss, and the team should have done better, but we had an 18 year old RB, a RB at CB and our CBs are just back from injury. The attack didn't click, but it rarely has without Pogba this season.

Some people really need to gain some perspective. Also, arsenal won't get 4th. City and Liverpool aren't going to slip that much, and they have an FA cup final to think about. The league is done and dusted at the top end of you ask me.

Exactly. Some people need to see the big picture. It sucks to lose, and it sucks for our brilliant away support who made it down there, but hopefully we'll be lifting the trophy in Sweden.

 

[Turnip]

How did Mata do?

Pretty average I thought. Didn't really see him do anything noticeable, but probably gave the ball away less than our other attackers.

That said the game was pretty dull and I was struggling to concentrate for a lot of it.

 

[PaulRich]

I hope the Europa at all costs attitude works out because despite Liverpool throwing us yet another life line yesterday it was obvious no-one was giving a toss out there. OK Arsenal got the rub of the green with the first goal but really we flattered to deceive on many counts. There were positives - Tuanzebe looked really comfortable and assured at a difficult place against a decent player in Sanchez.

 

[togg]

Prior to the game, Mourinho dampened any significance of the match. Players were flat, Mourinho and his staff looked relaxed. It was the least important game in the scheme of our season and players performed accordingly.

Europa final and the Muppet season.

Yeah...he looked pretty relaxed afterwards as well actually. He's obviously has a 'cunning plan'............

 

[Kostur]

How did Mata do?

Pretty much would've had a goal in the first half if Rooney wasn't such a selfish cock. Other than that he blended in well with the averageness. Wasn't as wasteful with the ball though.

 

[togg]

Pretty much would've had a goal in the first half if Rooney wasn't such a selfish cock. Other than that he blended in well with the averageness. Wasn't as wasteful with the ball though.

....a simple pass....that was all that was needed...and it was an easy one to, there was space for it and there is no doubt in my mind that Rooney saw him. Just selfish at that moment...... Mata had pretty much an open goal, and he really doesn't usually miss those!

 

[Fracture90]

Let me guess.. you came here with only one intention in mind.

^ Proves my point.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

We're actually playing Southampton away, our only home game left in the league is Palace I think.

This is why I don't understand why people think we should have gone for it yesterday. The chances of winning all 4 remaining league games is very slim, but in Europa we already have 1 foot in the final where we will likely face a young (albeit talented) Ajax. We pretty much have 2 games a week now until the end of the season, the injuries are easing slightly but there isn't really enough time to get fully match sharp.

Something had to give, and that came yesterday. It wasn't an horrendous loss, and the team should have done better, but we had an 18 year old RB, a RB at CB and our CBs are just back from injury. The attack didn't click, but it rarely has without Pogba this season.

Some people really need to gain some perspective. Also, arsenal won't get 4th. City and Liverpool aren't going to slip that much, and they have an FA cup final to think about. The league is done and dusted at the top end of you ask me.

In a weird way, helping Arsenal finish 4th would be one of the more pleasing consequences of yesterday's game. That secures Wenger his job and fecks over the scousers.

 

[Acole9]

I can understand our reasonings for the way we were set up but I can't help but wonder whether we're placing too much emphasis on the Europa League.

 

[PoTMS]

I actually don't care about the result at all. All in with the Europa.

 

[thegregster]

In a weird way, helping Arsenal finish 4th would be one of the more pleasing consequences of yesterday's game. That secures Wenger his job and fecks over the scousers.

One potential downside unfortunately.
Highly likely it puts us in Pot 3 instead of Pot 2 if we make the CL. (The only way it wouldn't would be if Sevilla lost in the playoff round).

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/uefa-coefficient-points.428734/

 

[Pogue Mahone]

One potential downside unfortunately.
Highly likely it puts us in Pot 3 instead of Pot 2 if we make the CL. (The only way it wouldn't would be if Sevilla lost in the playoff round).

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/uefa-coefficient-points.428734/

Me no understandy. What are these pots you speak of and why would we want Liverpool to get 4th ahead of Arsenal?

 

[togg]

I actually don't care about the result at all. All in with the Europa.

Well....I do care about every United result to be honest, it wasn't a nice feeling to lose against that pretty average Arsenal team, but I can see the bigger picture......and so yes, the pain is less....

 

[roonster09]

IMO it was so obvious how this game was treated.

2 CBs who just returned from injury, last time they started the game was on March 19th (7 weeks ago), a debutant at RB to counter their most dangerous player. That's our defense.

Mata who again just returned from injury, last time he started the game was on March 19th (7 weeks ago).

Rashford, Pogba, Bailly our best striker, best midfielder and CB were all rested. Pogba wasn't even brought on in the second half.

Rooney didn't play even a single min in KO stages of Europa league, that's how we are using him now.

It's very much clear that this wasn't the priority for us and rightly so. It's a big risk of accumulating fatigue for our key players which is already the case, shouldn't make it worse.

 

[thegregster]

Me no understandy. What are these pots you speak of and why would we want Liverpool to get 4th ahead of Arsenal?

As it stands 15 out of 16 who will make the CL are going to be seeded ahead of us for the CL draw.

If Arsenal make the group stages it becomes 16 and we then go into pot 3.

 

[Jacko21]

I can understand our reasonings for the way we were set up but I can't help but wonder whether we're placing too much emphasis on the Europa League.

Perhaps because it's our only realistic way of securing Champions League football - which is pivotal to determining whether the club moves forward, or faces another twelve months in the doldrums.

 

[Crimson King]

In a weird way, helping Arsenal finish 4th would be one of the more pleasing consequences of yesterday's game. That secures Wenger his job and fecks over the scousers.

I had never actually thought about it like that...

As long as we win the Europa I might actually prefer they finish 4th, the Wenger In/Out circus would continue and it would throw a massive spanner into either City's or Pool's plans for next season.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

As it stands 15 out of 16 who will make the CL are going to be seeded ahead of us for the CL draw.

If Arsenal make the group stages it becomes 16 and we then go into pot 3.

Ok, gotcha. Thanks. I'd still rather them get in than Liverpool. The combination of gooners being gutted about another season of Wenger and Klopp failing to bring CL football to Liverpool is just perfect IMO.

 

[NotQuiteManc]

Good, no more pressure to keep the unbeaten run going, and hopefully they will play like in December.

 

[Matty7]

What if we lose on Thursday 1-2? You just cant just pile your eggs all in one basket when we still had a chance to get 4th. We could of still lost today going for it, but I would of prefered to have given it a good go

I see your point, but I just feel we would be better off having everyone fit and 100% rested for the Europa league games. Plus there are only 2 more, we can focus totally on these. Training sessions can be fully concentrated on them too. Otherwise we risk having a tired team with the risk of more injures and maybe only 50/60% rested up from the previous game whilst also hoping other teams around us drop points.

 

[Acole9]

Perhaps because it's our only realistic way of securing Champions League football - which is pivotal to determining whether the club moves forward, or faces another twelve months in the doldrums.

I get that but at the same time the teams around us are dropping points and I can see them dropping more and that's why I don't think it should be written off just yet.

 

[Mihai]

Many players who played today need to feck off in the summer, Jose must have a real big clear out.
How Lingard is in our A team is beyond me.
Mikhitaryan needs to improve ALOT, he is worst buy by Jose so far.
DDG if he wants to leave just go.
Martial?
Rooney is a club legend yes but his feets can't help it anymore.
Jone, Smalling, Darmian out out.

Lingard was better than Micky and Martial this season. If he is not good enough for our A team, than Martial and Micky have to play in the reserves.

 

[Jaxdan]

....a simple pass....that was all that was needed...and it was an easy one to, there was space for it and there is no doubt in my mind that Rooney saw him. Just selfish at that moment...... Mata had pretty much an open goal, and he really doesn't usually miss those!

Yeah, and then he passes it, and Mata misses, and we say "Damn Rooney should've taken the shot! He's lost his nerve!" Point is, they've all been poor at finishing. I like Mata but he's missed a couple sitters as well, so who the hell knows really?

 

[Jaxdan]

I actually don't care about the result at all. All in with the Europa.

I don't really understand this mindset as a fan. I care about every result.

 

[David Court]

I actually don't care about the result at all. All in with the Europa.

And if that means you fail to win the EL and finish outside the top 4?

 

[PoTMS]

I don't really understand this mindset as a fan. I care about every result.

I'd given up hope on top 4 long before yesterday. As such, the result is meaningless to me. It's not really that hard to 'understand'. Every time we have the chance to elevate ourselves or go into the CL places if not briefly, we've bottled it. Hull, Swansea, WBA, Everton, etc.

Clearly, the manager has the same mindset as me or else he wouldn't have picked the team he did. We don't deserve top four regardless, not that City or Liverpool deserve it either.

And if that means you fail to win the EL and finish outside the top 4?

Again, yesterday is not where we lost top 4. If we don't win the EL, it'd be a disaster of a season. But I'm not exactly going to turn around and say, oh damn, I wish we won against Arsenal that one time. It's been a collection of mishaps and poor finishing over the course of the season that has let us down.

 

[Siorac]

Lingard was better than Micky and Martial this season. If he is not good enough for our A team, than Martial and Micky have to play in the reserves.

That's not true though. Lingard performed closer to his maximum potential than either Mkhitaryan or Martial but they were still better than him overall. It's just we expect more from them than from Lingard who is simply not very good.

 

[Mihai]

That's not true though. Lingard performed closer to his maximum potential than either Mkhitaryan or Martial but they were still better than him overall. It's just we expect more from them than from Lingard who is simply not very good.

I am not talking about potential. He's been consistent, at his level. Micky had been very incosistent, hopefully will change next year. Martial had been below par the whole season. I expect more from them as well. But, if we stick with this selection of wingers next year, than getting rid of Lingard won't be wise move.

 

[Todd]

This was the first match all season that I intentionally didn't watch, and I'm glad I didn't. Moreover, the result frees me up to do better things with my time during the final 3 EPL matches.

At least there's still a chance in EL

 

[Jaxdan]

I'd given up hope on top 4 long before yesterday. As such, the result is meaningless to me. It's not really that hard to 'understand'. Every time we have the chance to elevate ourselves or go into the CL places if not briefly, we've bottled it. Hull, Swansea, WBA, Everton, etc.

Clearly, the manager has the same mindset as me or else he wouldn't have picked the team he did. We don't deserve top four regardless, not that City or Liverpool deserve it either.

Again, yesterday is not where we lost top 4. If we don't win the EL, it'd be a disaster of a season. But I'm not exactly going to turn around and say, oh damn, I wish we won against Arsenal that one time. It's been a collection of mishaps and poor finishing over the course of the season that has let us down.

Okay, so who does deserve it then? I want us to win every game we play, that's the only way you 'deserve' anything. Not rolling over and giving up just a few points behind and 3 games to play. I don't agree with the way Jose handled the whole situation, coming out publicly and saying what he did. And what happens then if we fail to win EL? Throwing all our eggs into that basket and still dropping it. The way we have been playing recently other than the Chelsea game, I got a bad feeling Ajax might just smash us, if we even get past Celta Vigo.

 

[JohnnyKills]

Dont agree. We were open last year against Arsenal and were three down in the first twenty.

Mourinhos tactics away from home against a good team are all about keeping it tight and hoping to nick one. Rooney should have scored today and we would be one up. Their first goal was pure flukey and that completely changes the dynamics of the match.

I agree with his approach. When we win, we say he got it right and when we lose we say he got it wrong.

We are close to what he wants but a few players let him down today. Darmian did not defend aggressively enough for their second goal. It is a game of fine margins and Mourinho will no doubt analyse those margins and make us better next season.

That's the point though mate. We haven't one any of the games where he's adopted the sit-back-and-counter strategy. You're actually backing up what I said.

 

[Ramshock]

So why did we lose this game?

 

[Jaxdan]

That's the point though mate. We haven't one any of the games where he's adopted the sit-back-and-counter strategy. You're actually backing up what I said.

Possession was 50% to 50%. We actually out shot them 10 (4) to 9 (4), and had 9 corners to their 5. It wasn't as though we parked the bus.

 

[Ramshock]

Possession was 50% to 50%. We actually out shot them 10 (4) to 9 (4), and had 9 corners to their 5. It wasn't as though we parked the bus.

If this is true wtf are you in about @JohnnyKills

 

[arthurka]

If this is true wtf are you in about @JohnnyKills

We lacked fight and spirit.. Plus we played Rooney.
My guess..

 

[Jaxdan]

If this is true wtf are you in about @JohnnyKills

The stats:

http://www.espnfc.us/match?gameId=450650


I was wondering what the pundits were on about as well. Jose was right on in his post game, they acted as though he was daft.

 

[SirScholes]

How did Mata do?

Alright, would be better if Martial held the ball up so he could link up with him, Martial seemed he'll bent on taking on the whole arsenal team whenever he got the ball.
Should of had a goal if Rooney showed a bit more awareness on winning the ball inside their box, mata had an empty goal

 

[mitchmouse]

wow that was dull but Arsenal were no better than us and I'm sure the pundits were right in that it would have ended 0-0 if not for that ridiculous first goal. No doubt everyone is blaming Rooney and maybe he should have scored but no one came out of it with much credit except maybe our latest defensive find. We really do need to go out and buy some goal scorers and an attacking midfielder/winger in the summer. Also, no idea why but every time I see him play I become more sure DDG is madrid bound