[Random Task]

I dislike Graham Souness very muchly.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

I disagree.
The later half of the first half was edge of the seat stuff. Both teams were attacking and it was probably the best match I've seen in a long time.

If people did not enjoy that match, I honestly believe that football is perhaps not the sport for them.

Seems that the majority were in agreement with what I said about the first half. Pundits and journalists all pretty much said the same.

The first half wasn't enjoyable, the second half was excellent and very enjoyable. Judging who does and doesn't like football based on that I find very harsh.

 

[Carolina Red]

First half wasn’t great. Second half was really good bar a 5-10min spell where the referee gave them everything.

Mariner was trying to do a Clattenburg

 

[Spaniel]

Much, much better. Good decision not to start Rashford. My only fear is what happens when Lukaku and Ibrahimovich are both fit again. Hope that Jose keeps faith with those that started tonight.

 

[rooney2009]

Three man midfield.

It’s gotta to be this
Gives Pogba the freedom to play

 

[Peanut Butter]

I love Luke Shaw and Martial and Pogboom and Lingard and the boys.

Great win please don't go back to 4-2-3-1

 

[VeevaVee]

Not great for long periods, specially the first half, but always the better team. Two lovely goals, but we need to see more football in the final third.

 

[berbatrick]

Except Lindelof at RB, there is no obvious way to improve that team (from within our squad). Putting in Rashford or Mkhi for Martial/Lingard/Mata will disrupt the balance and understanding they have.

 

[Rob67]

Sourness on Sky Sports is really pissed off that we've won. Ruined his New Year. Twat.

 

[Water Melon]

For the love of god, someone tell Jose that midfield 3 is the answer and it showed at the beginning of the season. Also keep Lingard in the centre, he will get us goals. Stop hoofing the ball, we have good players to be able to diversify our passing. Hopefully, this game was the start of our renaissance. Long it may continue. Keep it up, Mou.

 

[sunama]

Although playing against Rooney and Morgan really helped us. They were both dire to be kind. I got mad when Rooney was subbed cause him in midfield made it easy for us. Although no Sigurdson and weird subs from them too.

Those are 2 are utterly dire and it amazes me how some MUFC fans were so desperate for us to keep them.
At least Rooney was pinging Hollywood balls to the right flank. Morgan S was doing nothing.
Anyway, Rooney and Morgan S are not our problem anymore.

 

[Catt]

Why can’t we play like this more often. Heck bit of passing and movement and an intensity after the first 20 and we looked like an actual team.

That's what we all want and we have seen it in patches that we are able to play. You want them to look like a cohesive unit and not on their heels on our own box.

 

[Catt]

Big Sam loves a chat, doesn't he?

 

[Fully Fledged]

Played well and got the win. I'm happy with that. I hope that 2018 proves to be a better year.

 

[Carolina Red]

He’s been doing that for France and runs matches doing that. The problem with our team is Matic apart we don’t have another good CM to support him, allowing Pogs to do what he does best

An upgrade could definitely be made there, but in the 2nd half, Herrera seemed to figure it out.

 

[Jazz]

That was really good, unexpectedly so after the downer of Southampton. I'm still concerned with the extent to which we rely on Pogba to give us any creativity but you have to be satisfied with a performance like that, he absolutely ran the show.

Props to Martial and Lingard for their superb finishes, to Shaw who is finally starting to look the part at LB and to the team generally for riding out that nasty 20 minutes or so in the second half. It's unrealistic to expect us to control games from start to finish, particularly away from home, but I'm delighted to see us come through adversity with flying colours today unlike in the previous three games.

A lovely positive way to start 2018, happy new year one and all.

Well said! Happy New Year to you too.

 

[minoo-utd]

Has anyone heard what Jose said again about that tight schedule? He said something like we don't have friends know the guy up stairs like some other do. Wow.

 

[fishfingers15]

Gap down to 12 points (potentially 9 because we'll beat Citeh at the Etihad). Happy New Year (Don't scoff at me, I'm always optimistic)

 

[Stookie]

First half awful second half much better. Everton were dreadful as well. United are a much better side when we go for it, no matter who it’s against. Glad we didn’t sit back after scoring the first.

 

[Trophy Room]

I dislike Graham Souness very muchly.

I think Henry is a secret United fan.

 

[Jazz]

Has anyone heard what Jose said again about that tight schedule? He said something like we don't have friends know the guy up stairs like some other do. Wow.

Good. Needs to get his sense of humour back

 

[Jazz]

I think Henry is a secret United fan.

He's mates with Pogs....

 

[RedPed]

Makes those two draws even more galling to be fair. Would have been in a great position come New Years Day! Still, a great performance nonetheless, especially in the second half. Great performances from Pogba, Martial, Shaw, Rojo, Mata & Lingard.

Only disappointment was Matic.

 

[sunama]

Except Lindelof at RB, there is no obvious way to improve that team (from within our squad). Putting in Rashford or Mkhi for Martial/Lingard/Mata will disrupt the balance and understanding they have.

I wouldn't have Miki on the bench, even.
Everything which Lingard was doing today, Miki should be doing when he plays...but doesn't.

 

[No Idea For Nickname]

I noticed that every time Jose has post match interview, after they get back in studio, host says something sarcatic like: "He is happy with a win", this women 10 mins ago: "He is thrilled with 3 points".
What should he do? Dance Macarena!? Do Monty Python sketch?
It is constant yada yada about mood Mourinho is.
No wonder he is like that in front of the cameras.

 

[desmondisback]

That's more like it, they stopped feeling sorry for themselves and delivered

It's a good performance. The problem is that true contenders for titles and CL cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves for more than a few seconds in any game let alone for a whole game.

 

[mazhar13]

After so long, we finally put in a dominant performance. The 4-3-3 worked excellently against Everton who struggled to track our front 3. Playing without a recognizable striker made it easier for our attacking players to find spaces, and our midfield did a great job in playing passes into those tight spaces.

I think Herrera was a crucial player in making sure that the setup worked, and thankfully, he was at his best against Everton. His pinpoint passing got our attacking players frequently involved, and he, along with Pogba, ensured that the front 3's movement was not laid to waste. Our midfield 3 also got the best out of Pogba who enjoyed his more free B2B role. He was our most dangerous player as shown by his 2 assists. Hopefully, Mourinho realises that this will bring the best out of Pogba.

Overall, the midfield 3 ensured that Everton's midfield 3 pushed up to engage us, and that left lots of space for the likes of Lingard, Mata, and Martial to come into. The fact that Pogba didn't play as a clear #10 made it more difficult for Everton's midfield to retain their shape, particularly when Pogba drifted out to the left channel. You can see that Holgate and the midfield had no idea on how they can engage Pogba whenever he drifted out there.

I hope that we can get more of the same. Our players seem to enjoy this setup much more than the 4-2-3-1 that we previously had.

 

[Camy89]

Sourness on Sky Sports is really pissed off that we've won. Ruined his New Year. Twat.

What's he saying? The pub I was in started playing INXS very loudly following full-time and I don't have sky sports at home.

 

[desmondisback]

I noticed that every time Jose has post match interview, after they get back in studio, host says something sarcatic like: "He is happy with a win", this women 10 mins ago: "He is thrilled with 3 points".
What should he do? Dance Macarena!? Do Monty Python sketch?
It is constant yada yada about mood Mourinho is.
No wonder he is like that in front of the cameras.

It is a problem for him but he creates this for himself in the long term and although he is moody he probably loves it secretly.

 

[K2K]

Lack of Lukaku actually helped.

After his celebration in the last game, It would just have triggered a very hostile atmosphere.

 

[Murder on Zidanes Floor]

For me feel Pogba listened to Scholes post match comments after the Saints game. Physically dominant and men against boys at times. Hopefully realises no one in the league can really handle him.

Play him in a three to get the most out of him. Issue is where does Lingardinho play?

 

[Dobba]

Big Sam loves a chat, doesn't he?

Thought he was going to start talking about how he spent his Christmas and New Year.

 

[Mr Pigeon]

That's more like it, they stopped feeling sorry for themselves and delivered

It was great to see. Who knows what was said to them but they were a different team today. Pogba and Lingard were swaggering about and Mata was acting like a cheeky wee rascal. Love it!

 

[AltiUn]

3 in midfield is the way to go!

 

[Ramshock]

Lingard going from strength to strength

 

[red_devil83]

We look so much better with a 3 man midfield and Pogba playing in his proper position. TBH we looked better without Lukaku too

 

[Ramshock]

Much, much better. Good decision not to start Rashford. My only fear is what happens when Lukaku and Ibrahimovich are both fit again. Hope that Jose keeps faith with those that started tonight.

Stop with this Lukaku nonsense

 

[simplyared]

Paul Pogba

 

[Reddevildans]

First half wasnt as bad as many are making out. We got behind them on several occasions but poor decision making cost us a goal. Second half was brilliant.

 

[RD76]

The formation showed how good we can be.

Pogba, Jesse, Martial and Shaw excellent.

We wanted it, a real positive.

Rooney looked for Valencia every time he got the ball. He didn't even find him once.

 

[sincher]

Much better performance if helped by an insipid Everton one. The 4-3-3 shape with attacking full backs was a lot better and would be better still with Valencia back.

 

[reddevil702]

We look so much better with a 3 man midfield and Pogba playing in his proper position. TBH we looked better without Lukaku too

For me it's Pogba in the 3 man midfield more than anything. The attention he attracts and what he creates can't be replicated by anyone else on the squad. Just look at the Southampton game and how dire we looked.