[DomesticTadpole]

Jose going on about the 2 v 3 in centre midfield, surely Blind and Matic with Ander in front could have worked better?

Did Blind play there for Holland during the week. I had it on in the background, but wasn't paying attention. If yes, surprised he didn't do it. We needed the extra body in there. It didn't have to be a physical monster.

 

[Ban]

look at these two knobs, they are pretending badly that they arent raging

Bless them they're so concerned about us.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Like I said in the Title Race thread, we play similar to how someone like Burnley approaches games against the big teams. Even Watford were more positive against Arsenal today (and won). Why don't we trust ourselves to win via normal tactics rather than hoping to nick a goal against the run of play?

 

[christy87]

should have switched the wingers from the word go, martial on moreno would have been a sight to see and young could have done what he does best and thats not beating a man, thats getting a yard to whip it into the box

 

[KingMinger22]

Our attack has some good players but not a single worldie. It's as simple as that.

 

[SirMattBugsby]

Jose going on about the 2 v 3 in centre midfield, surely Blind and Matic with Ander in front could have worked better?

He just needs an excuse to park it and leave Lukaku alone upfront. I'm pretty sure his plan would have been no different with Pogba.

Two points lost through sheer negativity.

should have switched the wingers from the word go, martial on moreno would have been a sight to see and young could have done what he does best and thats not beating a man, thats getting a yard to whip it into the box

I can understand Mourinho's reasoning there. Martial vs inexperienced Gomez and Young to help out Valencia against Coutinho and attacking Moreno.

The problem for me was his choice of personnel (playing both Darmian and Young) and the setup. Nullifying opposition is one thing, but he takes it to the extent where our own attack is nullified.

 

[Johnnyredboots]

Quite satisfied with the point tbh.

Lets not forget that we are Manchester Utd going to Anfield, they were always going to turn up against us despite their recent indefferent form. Sometimes being pragmatic in games like this is the best way to go, especially with a depleted squad and a lot of air miles since the last game.

This was their cup final, we have bigger fish to fry, and the title race is a marathon not a sprint. Cant expect to blow every team away 4 or 5 nil. Sure city are doing it atm but they are going about it like a guy who hasnt had a date in 12months ie: blowing their wad before the jobs done.

 

[crossy1686]

Our attack has some good players but not a single worldie. It's as simple as that.

Agree with this. The game was crying out for a world class piece of play from someone today but both teams didn’t have a player capable of it on the field. I feel confident in saying that if Pogba played today we’d have held the ball better in midfield and Lukaku would have had better service. Not to mention more of a threat from free kicks.

 

[Member 90887]

Agree with this. The game was crying out for a world class piece of play from someone today but both teams didn’t have a player capable of it on the field. I feel confident in saying that if Pogba played today we’d have held the ball better in midfield and Lukaku would have had better service. Not to mention more of a threat from free kicks.

In addition to that, Mkhi should have been our De bruyne but god he's dissapointing.

Not only that, we desperatly need good fullbacks, darmian is brainless in his passes, brainless clearances even though he's very good defensively. Valencia's the same, i couldn't understand some of the clearances when they weren't under pressure and could have passed it to launch a counter attack.

the next step is 2 excellent fullbacks. that should be the priority next summer. and a cover for Pogba and i think we'll even better.

 

[royboy16]

Results went our way today bar city and spurs.

 

[edgar allan]

Our first half test against an average Liverpool team and not only did Jose bottle it with his negative set up but it did show up the pretty significant limitations of our team at the moment. These have been masked by the poor standard of the teams that we have played to date but the signs were there in the Southampton game.

The defense do deserve credit even if it was a back 5-6 for most of the game. The two centre halfs were excellent throughout but Darmian is just so average all of the time.
Once I saw that Ashley Young was in midfield you just knew we were parking the bus, he wasnt good enough 6 years ago and he still gets a game. We have next to no attacking attack from either corner back position. Fellaini would have been a bit better than Young but I would feel that the Liverpool midfield would have been too quick and skillful for him to have made a major difference.
For me I think we have to face facts that Miki is just not good enough,he is far to inconsistent and lightweight on a regular basis.

The positive is that Chelsea, spurs and Arsenal are also very inconsistent however we look to be a long way behind City at the moment.

 

[Jean claude van hire]

It seems to have gone somewhat unnoticed but our build up play that led to Lukaku chance was sublime. Such a shame didn't finish that was a genuine goal of the month contender had it gone in.

 

[Wilt]

Missing Pogba in the big games, would like to have started Rashford. Mkhi was dissapointing.
Considering we were without Pogba, Baily and Fellaini, a point was not a bad result.

Special mention for Dave ....what a feckin save!

 

[VanHaal'sRedArmy]

Bring back Louis! (at least for Liverpool away games.)

 

[hn4manunited]

I was disappointed with how we played today. Happy with the point away at Anfield tho.

We were obviously set up for stability to absorb the pressure but with Martial and Young, we were set up with the intent of having our players dig their claws in and as the game went on to gain foothold and traction in the game. The players simply never got out of the phase of absorbing pressure and our players never got to the point of even counter attacking. Players weren’t playing hoof ball. They were trying to bypass the press in midfield but either simply didn’t have the players to hold possession once the ball went up or players weren’t able to get the balls in the right area. We definitely miss pogba and Fellaini in this context.

Mikhi simply loses possession too easily, mata probably too slow playing against this team, Martial didn’t really show the intensity he needed to being offered a start, Young proved he can successfully play a role in his position but simply no longer have the power needed in that position. The team felt unbalanced today and simply didn’t show the power and engine that we have.

 

[OneReligion]

It was a better point for us than them.

I’d have taken a draw before the game.

 

[pocco]

Phil Jones isn't getting mentioned a lot but I thought he was terrible at times today and it served as a stark reminder that he'll never be truly good enough. He's got too many errors in him. Smalling was the better of the two today.

 

[fellaini's barber]

Liverpool are probably the worst of the big teams we'll face and look at the approach. The City,Spurs and Chelsea away games will be a delight to watch. Can't bring myself to understand or justify Jose's cowardly set up in big games. It's one thing to set up to defend and counter, it's another thing to camp around our half and keep hoofing out the ball like we're Burnley under the cosh from a big team. It's bullshit

 

[Pyro19]

I highly doubt Mourinho would have told the players to lose the ball every chance they got and fail at making simple passes.

I was one of those people who were absolutely fuming after the match but now that i've calmed down, I can see that Mourinho setting us up for counter attacks + players having a dip in form after International break + no midfielders made our performance look as bad as it did today.

Probably the best way to look at the game.

 

[gerdm07]

I'm sure all the top 4 teams would be happy with a point at Anfield. In that respect, I'm fine with the result. Remember SAF played for many draws vs top opponents on the road. This is how you win the league.

 

[Finn MacCool]

Much better point for Utd than us - especially how the game panned out. We needed a win but we never really looked like getting it. A couple of very good chances and yet again De Gea foiled us (how many times has he rescued you against us - please sell him to Madrid soon!).

Disappointing game overall. Sloppy passing at times and no real moments of quality. Can't remember in my lifetime 2 consecutive 0-0 draws at Anfield in this fixture - I wonder what the reason for that could be

 

[RooneyLegend]

It's performances like those and how predictable they that I'll never warm up to Jose. In what world does the biggest team in world football set up like that against a team in the midst of a defensive crisis?

 

[PeteManic]

Media focusing on tactics, but I thought the players were bloody useless today. Herrera was all over the place, Martial wasn't in the game, Lukaku should have scored. Jones and Smalling were an accident waiting to happen as well. Losing Bailly was a big blow.

 

[Shark]

It's performances like those and how predictable they that I'll never warm up to Jose. In what world does the biggest team in world football set up like that against a team in the midst of a defensive crisis?

Jose still doesn't trust this team. That's what today's performance spells out for me.

 

[ghagua]

That was a cowardly display and soul destroying football. I don't care about the setup for the match, but we have players who cost tens of millions and they could not put 2 -3 passes together under pressure. It's the same issue we have against teams who press a little bit. I don't see any of the other top 5 being that defensive or careless with the ball, no matter who they are playing. Not sure what we're doing in training, but when I see City and Spurs team move the ball and their players movement you wonder what the feck we're doing.

This may not have been the match to do it, but Mourinho needs to start both Martial and Rashford alongside Lukaku. We have 2 of the best attacking players in the game and Mourinho wants to play the rotation game with them. Had enough of this shite. If City and Spurs can play so many attacking players and get results, why can't we.

 

[breakout67]

Media focusing on tactics, but I thought the players were bloody useless today. Herrera was all over the place, Martial wasn't in the game, Lukaku should have scored. Jones and Smalling were an accident waiting to happen as well. Losing Bailly was a big blow.

You are absolutely right that the players were utter shite under pressure. Hererra couldnt pass 5 yards (he passed into empty space for a throw in twice inexplicably). Jones passed straight to a liverpool player under no pressure and couldnt clear easy balls for no reason. Smalling welcomed the Pool players into the box whenever he got near them because he's scared of his own feet.

I thought both managers did very little wrong tactically; there were several turnovers where Martial and/or Lukaku were open to recieve the ball but Hererra or Mkhi would lose it. I thought Klopp did well to to take the draw by subbing off his main attacking threats; he knows that we are strong in the last 10 minutes so subbing off a midfielder for an attacker would have been trouble for them.

 

[RooneyLegend]

That was a cowardly display and soul destroying football. I don't care about the setup for the match, but we have players who cost tens of millions and they could not put 2 -3 passes together under pressure. It's the same issue we have against teams who press a little bit. I don't see any of the other top 5 being that defensive or careless with the ball, no matter who they are playing. Not sure what we're doing in training, but when I see City and Spurs team move the ball and their players movement you wonder what the feck we're doing.

This may not have been the match to do it, but Mourinho needs to start both Martial and Rashford alongside Lukaku. We have 2 of the best attacking players in the game and Mourinho wants to play the rotation game with them. Had enough of this shite. If City and Spurs can play so many attacking players and get results, why can't we.

We have the wrong manager for the football you're trying to watch.

 

[Jim Beam]

Our first half test against an average Liverpool team and not only did Jose bottle it with his negative set up but it did show up the pretty significant limitations of our team at the moment. These have been masked by the poor standard of the teams that we have played to date but the signs were there in the Southampton game.

The defense do deserve credit even if it was a back 5-6 for most of the game. The two centre halfs were excellent throughout but Darmian is just so average all of the time.
Once I saw that Ashley Young was in midfield you just knew we were parking the bus, he wasnt good enough 6 years ago and he still gets a game. We have next to no attacking attack from either corner back position. Fellaini would have been a bit better than Young but I would feel that the Liverpool midfield would have been too quick and skillful for him to have made a major difference.
For me I think we have to face facts that Miki is just not good enough,he is far to inconsistent and lightweight on a regular basis.

The positive is that Chelsea, spurs and Arsenal are also very inconsistent however we look to be a long way behind City at the moment.

I thought individually they were very shaky and saved by the numbers. Darmian was horrible first half, only recovered a little bit after Salah gassed out in the second half and Jones almost made two assists for their forwards. Smalling looking best. Neither of them is comfortable on the ball so that didn't help either.

 

[VanHaal'sRedArmy]

People need to have a laugh here; to the Arsenal thread!

 

[van Nistelrooy]

I wouldn't even televise the return fixture later this season.

That's the third diabolical game in a row between us and Liverpool. Being last on MOTD says it all.

 

[ypsipeos]

As a MU fan I gained many things from this game. Mainly weight. The amount of chips and beers I consumed during these 105 minutes is almost equal to what I consume during a period of two months.
I was full of agony and a little bit annoyed by Miki, Lukaku and our full backs.

Lukaku cannot dwell on the ball. Don't kick it Rom! Just touch it! Mkhi needs time and space to create something. He won't get these in EPL. He is one of those guys who is hiding for most of the game and then will produce one or two moments of brilliance, if he gets the space. Without the pace-maker (Pogba) Mkhi acts weirdly. Our full backs are not even close to watchable.

Anyway, we know that this tie is a good result, it will keep the lads hungry. The way we got this result though is what makes most of us unhappy. No creativity, no possession, too much hoofing. Nothing to really rememver aside from De Gea's save and the quick exchange of passes that lead to the big chance.
So, one more opponent left considering if there is a way to beat us. I don't mind us dropping two points away against Liverpool. But if we go for boring ties against 5-6 of the league's teams while we cannot beat the Stokes of this league then we are just contenders, not favourites.

 

[clarkydaz]

its funny, we put in a shite performance but its them who are whining

 

[Infra-red]

I wouldn't even televise the return fixture later this season.

That's the third diabolical game in a row between us and Liverpool. Being last on MOTD says it all.

Yep. They're always terrible games.

Admittedly, beating Liverpool is better than beating anyone else, but that hasn't happened in our last 5 meetings.

 

[MIC_FIN]

Bless them they're so concerned about us.

Cringe from both parties. I can see their points, but can't stand bigots either. Embarrassing.

 

[Isotope]

Horrible performance but good point. One bad game out of 12 (?) is still considered excellent return. So although the Liverpool game bothered me for a few hours, now I can't wait to watch the next game.

 

[Dumbstar]

Our attack has some good players but not a single worldie. It's as simple as that.

Martial is close to a worldie. Rashford is the best English youth player. Mata is a worldie, has been for a while. Mikhi used to be closer to a worldie. Too many excuses, not good enough attacking managers (Van Gaal and Jose) to use them properly.

You know Pep would play all of the above. Together!

 

[SwansonsTache]

Martial is close to a worldie. Rashford is the best English youth player. Mata is a worldie, has been for a while. Mikhi used to be closer to a worldie. Too many excuses, not good enough attacking managers (Van Gaal and Jose) to use them properly.

You know Pep would play all of the above. Together!

Martial is inconsistent, Rashford a teenager, Mata isn't and never was a worldie and Mkhi had one golden season for Dortmund in the fecking BL.

I agree that Mourinho isn't the best of attacking coaches, but you are ridiculously overrating our players there to have a dig at Jose.

We have one absolute wordlie in DDG, and one partial and probably future one in Pogba, that is it.

 

[prtk0811]

Much better point for Utd than us - especially how the game panned out. We needed a win but we never really looked like getting it. A couple of very good chances and yet again De Gea foiled us (how many times has he rescued you against us - please sell him to Madrid soon!).

Disappointing game overall. Sloppy passing at times and no real moments of quality. Can't remember in my lifetime 2 consecutive 0-0 draws at Anfield in this fixture - I wonder what the reason for that could be

Jose Mourinnho and klopp are the reasons for that. one wont get over his romance with keeping the ball without any real penetration and risks on the ball and the other wont get over his soaking pressure and counter tactics .

 

[prtk0811]

Martial is inconsistent, Rashford a teenager, Mata isn't and never was a worldie and Mkhi had one golden season for Dortmund in the fecking BL.

I agree that Mourinho isn't the best of attacking coaches, but you are ridiculously overrating our players there to have a dig at Jose.

We have one absolute wordlie in DDG, and one partial and probably future one in Pogba, that is it.

Martial has incredible ability, If he is used the right way. Which is not done by mourinho.

 

[ti vu]

Like I said in the Title Race thread, we play similar to how someone like Burnley approaches games against the big teams. Even Watford were more positive against Arsenal today (and won). Why don't we trust ourselves to win via normal tactics rather than hoping to nick a goal against the run of play?

Perhaps because we're down to plan C midfield combination which doesn't tick when trying to move the ball forward? Pogba may not dominate game but he can still find way to pull some magic passes which can decide game

Fellaini for all his flaw is a good option bring down the ball from a long ball in midfield which quite a nuisance to defend as opposition team. Juanfield game, despite the dominance and possession, Fellaini role in beating the pressing can't be understated. CBS can't take risk raising the line to mark him. There is hardly any midfielder on the same level of chest control.

Hardly any team have the plan C that come in big game and still playing close to plan A level.