[TheReligion]

For all the fear over City they didn't create any more than United overall. Yes they kept the ball well and were persistent but it took two blunders for them to score with de Gea being forced into only one really good save in the second half low to his right. I don't think a draw would have been unfair although United certainly didn't play enough to deserve all three points.

On the plus side I think City are beatable and whilst 11 points is going to be too much this season I don't think that is a fair reflection between both sides. City play a much more attractive game but they always were when United were missing their passing and creative hub in Pogba.

 

[cletus7]

Can't blame Lukaku, he was so unlucky if he scored that chance some here would say different words, again city was some kind of lucky team, but what it really hurts me is that we just can't look so scared and almost panicking with every touch today, hope we learn and we need to bounce back right after this game which i see a bit difficult for the players but we don't have any other option but to believe that some how things might change and City's luck runs out, we need to progress mentally not on the pitch IMO we have such great squad and can still beat any one if we have the enough confidence which we really lack against top teams, hope just hope city draw a couple of games that will make us challenge again but as i see how it's difficult I hope at least we keep and grab that second place and finish the season as runners up so maybe next season with few ins and outs we can be favorites. Still 22 games to play and who knows I believe in football and still didn't lose hope on Jose but lots of things and ideas he must think about it again.

That’s it... too many players that don’t trust their ability on the ball and take initiative. Cowardly stuff. Matic was a breath of fresh air. ; “Pressed by De Bruyne and Silva... pfff.. they can’t get the ball off me”... I could see him thinking as he pirouetted ball away and played it forward! Game was lost before a ball was kicked.

 

[Giggsyking]

the difference between Pep and JM is like the difference between SAF and Tony Pulis.

 

[Will Absolute]

I've seen a fair few of City's games this season and I'd honestly say that we offered the least amount of threat than anyone they've faced so far this season.

We were bland, Lukaku abysmal, and City didn't even have to really turn it up all that much. Against their nearest and fiercest (only) rival. That's nowhere near good enough, and pretty much destroys the "Premier League is the most competitive league" argument. I would give pretty much anything to have David Silva in our team though, incredible player.

Apparently we were interested in Silva, but when he actually became available SAF decided not to bother. I never understood what Fergie was doing in those years, buying mediocrity from the Premier League when, for a little more money, City and Chelsea were getting top quality from the continent. Particularly from Spain - Silva 26M, Toure 24M, even Aguero only cost 37M, while having been in for Torres year after year, we decided to pass when he eventually came on the market and he ended up in Liverpool!

We're still paying the price for that neglect, but of course we shouldn't be. We've spent more than enough to restore quality to the side, but unfortunately we've spent badly.

It's a bit biblical - seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Except we had more than two decades of plenty, so let's hope the football Gods aren't big on Justice.

 

[The Purley King]

To have spent all this money and be completely reliant on one player isn’t good even if he is one of the best midfielders in the world. Take de Bruyne out of city’s midfield and the system would be the same.
Can’t complain about the score line but feck me they were two shit goals to concede.
Didn’t get a chance to watch a replay but was the Herrera pen really an obvious dive? Yes he went down theatrically but looks like the defender trod on his foot?

 

[Von Mistelroum]

They were clearly a far superior team going in and still are. Nothing has changed. They're a long way above us in terms of class players in so many areas, in terms of tactics and in terms of desire and bottle. That's really it. We have a lot of very average players and a handful of good to excellent ones. It's not close to enough for a club like us.

 

[The United Irishman]

They don't really threatened us actually apart of those 2 set pieces which we messed up.
Lukaku was unfortunate for their goals but he should have buried his chance , only need to direct the ball off ederson range

It was the only clear cut chance 'at home in 90 minutes' we created the whole game, the tactics are to blame, not Lukaku, or any other player! It was pathetic tactics, and an embarrassment as far as I am concerned. The penalty incident was never a penalty and clutching at straws from Mourinho. We are United, we were at home, and we set up to defend, and it was shameful. We should be walking off the Old Trafford pitch with our heads held high, not with our dicks between our legs!

 

[Bilbo]

For all the fear over City they didn't create any more than United overall. Yes they kept the ball well and were persistent but it took two blunders for them to score with de Gea being forced into only one really good save in the second half low to his right. I don't think a draw would have been unfair although United certainly didn't play enough to deserve all three points.

On the plus side I think City are beatable and whilst 11 points is going to be too much this season I don't think that is a fair reflection between both sides. City play a much more attractive game but they always were when United were missing their passing and creative hub in Pogba.

They are tactically on another level, and that is Jose's fault entirely. Sterling, Jesus and Sane are young potential players none of which anyone would describe as world class. Delph at left back is ordinary.

He has them playing with a freedom and strategy that leads to them being able to dominate games, and that breeds confidence.

We can look a handy team quite often, but Jose just seems to sh*t himself when we play good sides and it's not acceptable at this club.

 

[Salus Populi Suprema Lex]

It was the only clear cut chance 'at home in 90 minutes' we created the whole game, the tactics are to blame, not Lukaku, or any other player! It was pathetic tactics, and an embarrassment as far as I am concerned. The penalty incident was never a penalty and clutching at straws from Mourinho. We are United, we were at home, and we set up to defend, and it was shameful. We should be walking off the Old Trafford pitch with our heads held high, not with our dicks between our legs!

Where else would your dick be?

To be fair to Jose, he went with a front four of Lingard, Lukaku, Martial and Rashford. He didn't just pack the midfield, which, in fact, might have worked better, as Matic and Herrera were unable to win enough possession to get the ball to the front four. He set up to go for the win, but we couldn't get the ball off City's midfield.

 

[dichinero]

The line up and approach were black and white today. Why bother playing 3 forwards only to sit deep, and hoof it?.

Darmian Smalling Room Blind
Valencia Herrera Matic Young
Zlatan Lukaku
​

This team would have been more appropriate and reasonable for the approach. It was a tactical mess today and all Pep did was switch Sane and Sterling and it had us in a spin.

​

 

[caid]

It might be my imagination but we seem utterly terrible at defending set pieces.
Feels like a pretty big portion of our goals conceded are coming from corners.

Didn't think much of Lukaku at Everton, he mostly won me over at the start of the season but recent weeks are making me think hes pretty lacking again.

Anyway enough moans - I thought we were pretty good actually.
There was very little in it, we made 2 really bad errors they made 1
I didn't think city had too many clear cut chances besides the set pieces.
... I suppose they had a few after we started throwing more players forward.
Hererra and Matic were fairly lacking for providing anything going forward (no real surprises there) but the tactics made that fairly impossible and i think they defended well.
Rashford and Martial didn't see enough of the ball and we didn't do enough to get them into the game but they looked dangerous the few times they did get involved.
Lingard played his role fairly well.

Its disappointing but ... I dont feel were that far behind them really
(points are a different story ).
Maybe if Aguerro was playing I'd have been more worried

 

[cletus7]

We couldn't get the ball for most of the game, which makes it look as if a team isn't trying. However, you actually work much harder trying to win it back. I don't think we bottled it so much as we were frustrated by having so little possession. We need players who can dominate the ball, like Pogba, and then make things happen when we have possession; but you can't do anything when you can't get the ball. Guardiola teams are masters in dominating possession.

Doesn’t explain why we kept giving it away! The probably wasn’t city it was us.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Lucky to lose by one. City are head and shoulders above us at the moment.

They must love the Sheikh.

 

[Galactico]

While watching the game, I was frustrated that we were hoofing the ball at every opportunity. It made no sense really - even when we had no pressure.

However, for all City’s possession, I didn’t feel that threatened. I saw glimpses of weaknesses in that City defence. If only we set up differently to play the ball on the ground (and didn’t make those stupid defensive errors) we would surely have exposed City more than we did. Even if we still lost, at least we would have made a game of it. This is the most frustrating thing. We are Man Utd. The world is watching this game. Go out and show what we can do. I would rather try and attack them, play football and lose 5-0 than play hoofball and come away with a lucky draw (at home)!

 

[Sagittarius13]

We got it wrong from the start I think Mourinho thought Guardiola would believe we're playing 3-5-2 so decided to be clever and change the formation. It backfired, the 3-5-2 would've been ideal for this fixture. City were a huge threat going forward but he looked completely hopeless, I know both their goals were scruffy but ours was just by pure luck really. We've spent so much money and in attacking areas we're still poor at times.

I think exactly the same, I was hoping Mou would stick to 352 formation but he decided to change in a key game.

 

[slir32]

Giving them all the time on the ball wasn't working first half and when they scored we then turned it up a notch and where the better team for 5 minutes and scored with ease. Why didn't we play like that with passion and purpose from them get go in the second half?

 

[Sagittarius13]

We can't just point Lukaku as the responsible for our defeat, from the beginning we saw City walking in our midfield passing directly though our defense and waiting to counter attack, that would have worked better with a 352 formation.

 

[The United Irishman]

Where else would your dick be?

To be fair to Jose, he went with a front four of Lingard, Lukaku, Martial and Rashford. He didn't just pack the midfield, which, in fact, might have worked better, as Matic and Herrera were unable to win enough possession to get the ball to the front four. He set up to go for the win, but we couldn't get the ball off City's midfield.

It should be out loud and proud!!! Nah, I disagree we were firing hopeful long balls the whole game, we looked scared. West Ham gave them a better game and were unlucky not to get anything out of the game, unfortunately we deserved absolutely nothing.

 

[parkthebuslads]

Although I am not a fan of our approach, by focusing on the tactical side of the game you run the risk of ignoring the bigger issue - the performance.

Ugly as it may be, Jose could defend that game plan but the execution of it was genuinely embarrassing. And given that most of our recent games against the better teams have unfolded in a similar way (with or without Pogba), the blame has to fall on his shoulders.

 

[PepsiCola]

We can't just point Lukaku as the responsible for our defeat, from the beginning we saw City walking in our midfield passing directly though our defense and waiting to counter attack, that would have worked better with a 352 formation.

When his defensive error leads directly to 2 goals for the opposition and fails to convert an equaliser from 2 yards - I feel we can hold him responsible.

 

[cletus7]

It was the only clear cut chance 'at home in 90 minutes' we created the whole game, the tactics are to blame, not Lukaku, or any other player! It was pathetic tactics, and an embarrassment as far as I am concerned. The penalty incident was never a penalty and clutching at straws from Mourinho. We are United, we were at home, and we set up to defend, and it was shameful. We should be walking off the Old Trafford pitch with our heads held high, not with our dicks between our legs!

How can you say we set up to defend with that line-up? That’s an offensive line up. We just didn’t show composure on the ball and play with authority in possession. It got better in second half which just goes to show it’s all in the head... and on the training ground.

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

I was screaming at lukaku all game but to be honest nearly everyone bar Matic was shite. David Silva looked a class apart today some of his little thru balls and layoffs were so clever.

If only lukaku had scored at the end all would have been forgiven, he had that chance to redeem himself but unfortunately he didn't take it. Forwards live and die by the sword and im afraid rom is stabbing himself hard at the moment.

Could have been very different but at the end of the day it's a terrible result and performance. Special mention to Herrera well was absolutely abysmal all day long.

 

[bleedred]

We can't just point Lukaku as the responsible for our defeat, from the beginning we saw City walking in our midfield passing directly though our defense and waiting to counter attack, that would have worked better with a 352 formation.

Yet for all of that they created nothing. Arsenal did more last week.

We shot ourselves in the foot. We were not outclassed or outwitted as many seem to be suggesting. First half last year was outclassed. Not this performance. We gifted them 2 and they gave us 2 or three similar chances which we didnt convert.

I would agree with Mourinho's tactic and analysis of the game. City were good and got lucky, yet deserved.

How many really important saves did DDG make in the game?

 

[Parry Gallister]

More than happy to meltdown about that match. They were better, but we were not at the races, it sucks less when you are beaten by a team playing well - they didn't even need to do that. Expected much more from us even if the result didn't change.

 

[Giggsyking]

Its obvious we went for the wrong manager and they got the better one.

 

[VorZakone]

I was surprised at how lethargic United looked. It was like City had 2/3 days of extra rest, just a bit sharper and a bit more pro-active in 50/50 duels.

 

[The United Irishman]

How can you say we set up to defend with that line-up? That’s an offensive line up. We just didn’t show composure on the ball and play with authority in possession. It got better in second half which just goes to show it’s all in the head... and on the training ground.

Did you watch the game??? How many chances did we create? How many times did Valencia cross the half way line?

 

[Z1L3]

Yet for all of that they created nothing. Arsenal did more last week.

We shot ourselves in the foot. We were not outclassed or outwitted as many seem to be suggesting. First half last year was outclassed. Not this performance. We gifted them 2 and they gave us 2 or three similar chances which we didnt convert.

I would agree with Mourinho's tactic and analysis of the game. City were good and got lucky, yet deserved.

How many really important saves did DDG make in the game?

I agree. And I don't understand the criticism of the team or Mourihno. What are they supposed to do? Out-tiki-taka City? Pogba suspended, Fellaini injured, Carrick injured, Matic played injured. Trying to win the midfield battle in this situation against a team that is all about possession would be futile. The strategy worked. City didn't look good, scored two lucky goals and got away with it. Could've just as easily been the other way around.

 

[Salus Populi Suprema Lex]

Yet for all of that they created nothing. Arsenal did more last week.

We shot ourselves in the foot. We were not outclassed or outwitted as many seem to be suggesting. First half last year was outclassed. Not this performance. We gifted them 2 and they gave us 2 or three similar chances which we didnt convert.

I would agree with Mourinho's tactic and analysis of the game. City were good and got lucky, yet deserved.

How many really important saves did DDG make in the game?

We weren't outclassed. Yes, City had the ball most of the time, but they didn't create many chances. Their goals came from two deflections off Lukaku; our defence did well again. Problem was with City having so much possession, there was nothing we could do to create chances. You can't score goals without the ball.

 

[dichinero]

How can you say we set up to defend with that line-up? That’s an offensive line up. We just didn’t show composure on the ball and play with authority in possession. It got better in second half which just goes to show it’s all in the head... and on the training ground.

The line up was attacking but the approach was far from it. West Ham and Soton showed more attacking impetus away at the Etihad than we did today at OT.

 

[Sarni]

We weren't that bad. Clearly missed Pogba but should have probably got a draw if not for defensive errors, bad luck and bad finishing. City were the better team but we were very far from being outclassed or outplayed.

 

[GwilDor]

I've waited a bit on commenting here, to get a bit perspective.

1. I do think Mourinho's tactics have the potential to provide results in single games, but i would prefer him to find a different approach. Generally when approaching the game i'd think Pep's approach instill more confidence in his players. Saying "we'll do what we do best, good luck to the opposition stopping us" instills belief in their own style and what they can do, whilst saying "we need to change what we do, to stop the opposition" kind of does the opposite. That being said, i do believe Mou can change approach to somewhere in between if he gets a team he believes to be good enough.

2. I hate blaming the ref, so let me first say that i definately think City deserved the win today. My point is i think the refs generally grant Pep's style an advantage. They play possession-oriented attacking football, attacking with many players. This potentially leaves them open for counter attacks. However, they mitigate this by being VERY intensive in their defensive work the first few seconds after losing the ball. Often they make professional fouls to stop a counter attack when they have no other chance. What bothers me, especially today, is that the ref allows them to make these professional fouls again and again without it having any consequence. This makes their approach much less risky, and as such the refs favour them.

3. I'm really freakin' annoyed about the Pogba red card, i definately think he could have made a huge difference today, especially in the first half. Our ability to keep the ball was horrendous.

 

[bleedred]

We weren't outclassed. Yes, City had the ball most of the time, but they didn't create many chances. Their goals came from two deflections off Lukaku; our defence did well again. Problem was with City having so much possession, there was nothing we could do to create chances. You can't score goals without the ball.

We did score 3 last week in a similar setting, when the opposition had more of the ball, and created even more.

 

[sammsky1]

John Barnes and Andy Gray both think it was a penalty for Herrera.

 

[Dante]

City's goals didn't come from their tactics. They came from two scrappy setpieces. We don't let those happen normally.

I don't think we were that bad beyond our shitty transitions.

 

[Salus Populi Suprema Lex]

We did score 3 last week in a similar setting, when the opposition had more of the ball, and created even more.

Fair point, but City are much better than Arsenal and won't be cut open so easily. We certainly weren't outclassed; we couldn't get any momentum because we were chasing the ball most of the time. We didn't press the ball as well today as at The Emirates.

 

[vidic blood & sand]

I was surprised at how lethargic United looked. It was like City had 2/3 days of extra rest, just a bit sharper and a bit more pro-active in 50/50 duels.

I think City are getting a winning mentality coached into them with an attacking philosophy that says, "you must stop us".
Mourinhio wants to be the one who get's the credit for a tactical win, where the players do what he says and each game is played differently according to his directive.

 

[ManUtd1999]

John Barnes and Andy Gray both think it was a penalty for Herrera.

Oliver wasn't going to give it after he didn't give the one on Jesus. I thought that it was soft and he got both decisions right.

 

[Kopral Jono]

Yet for all of that they created nothing. Arsenal did more last week.

We shot ourselves in the foot. We were not outclassed or outwitted as many seem to be suggesting. First half last year was outclassed. Not this performance. We gifted them 2 and they gave us 2 or three similar chances which we didnt convert.

I would agree with Mourinho's tactic and analysis of the game. City were good and got lucky, yet deserved.

How many really important saves did DDG make in the game?

Agreed, and this is ultimately what frustrates me most. Getting outplayed is one thing but shooting ourselves in the foot is another. They deserved the win because we gave them too much respect.

City will probably win it now simply because of their lead at the top, I'd be very surprised if that's not the case come May. But are they on a completely different level to the rest of the top teams as many have suggested? I don't think so.

 

[Trophy Room]

I haven't been so upset after a game for a long time. Its done, we move on. I suspect the Christmas period is going to be tricky for us especially without Pogba.