[Pogue Mahone]

Villareal 0-0 (2006) Lille 0-1 (2006), Benfica 1-2 (2006) Roma 1-2 (2007), Lyon 1-1 (87th minute Tevez equaliser - 2008) Barcelona 0-0 (2008), Marseille 0-0 (2011) Basel 1-2 (2012) Benfica 1-1 (2012, they missed chances late on)

some away games under Fergie

I reckon he’ll have a much harder time listing the “dozens” of excellent away game he apparently remembers...

 

[bond19821982]

Changed your tune much?

Ofcourse I expected a tough match. But we were not in a mood to play at all.

 

[Revaulx]

People massively over-rate the threat of away goals. We’ll beat them at home. Our home record is excellent.

True, but Celta at home wasn’t that long ago

 

[crossy1686]

True, but Celta at home wasn’t that long ago

Did we fecking lose this Celta game or what? Apart from Gudetti fluffing his lines for the last kick of the game, we went through and won the thing as far as I can remember.

 

[Paxi]

Villareal 0-0 (2006) Lille 0-1 (2006), Benfica 1-2 (2006) Roma 1-2 (2007), Lyon 1-1 (87th minute Tevez equaliser - 2008) Barcelona 0-0 (2008), Marseille 0-0 (2011) Basel 1-2 (2012) Benfica 1-1 (2012, they missed chances late on)

some away games under Fergie

Yes but our performances in those were better except for Lille, Marseille, Villarreal, and I'd say we performed better as a team in those games than we did tonight. We simply look disjointed and incoherent at the minute. And it's not as if we showed a measured, defencive performance like we did against Inter in 2009 for instance.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

I reckon he’ll have a much harder time listing the “dozens” of excellent away game he apparently remembers...

You do not remember 2-0 Roma, 3-2 Milan and 2-0 Schalke.

 

[Tosicsleftpeg]

A few things...

-Lukaku getting slated for being shite. I don't understand what people are expecting when all he has to play with were massive lumped up balls against 2 central defenders on his own. He needed support and he got nothing,

-Criticising Sanchez being subbed. He wasn't very good tonight and suffered from the same issue as Lukaku in that he has absolutely zero of the ball in their half. Everything he did was him drifting back from left wing to get the ball and pass it into the middle, when Martial cane on he looked bright.

-Not being happy because we played worse than city and Liverpool. Who gives a monkeys as long as we get thru, Jose has a big job on but he is doing well too keep us competing. We need to be ugly I'm afraid and out dosent bother me as long as we are progressing in the cups.

 

[Valar Morghulis]

We literally escaped Seville tonight due to the sheer luck that our goalkeeper is the best keeper the game has seen since Schmeichel. We might very well go through but I can't say I'd look forward to another away knockout game after seeing that. What the feck...

 

[diplomat]

You're the one who has brought them up in the last 5 posts for no reason at all, I told you I wasn't comparing. You've literally compared your own facts against your own facts about Atletico while I've stayed out of your one way conversation with yourself. You've absolutely lost it I'm afraid.

The fact you keep on coming at me personally from the start, it goes to show that you don't have a single solid argument to go with your emotional drivel about everyone being mean to Mourinho and the team because of the shite on a stick football.

I was backing Mourinho and was so happy with the new contract, but we have generally been in bad form since the defeat to City, our football on the pitch is somehow getting worse, we lost almost all our point advantage to our other rivals and now we are in a proper top 4 battle again. Our recent form has been one of our worst this season and what's making it worse is we have a tough schedule to follow, playing Chelsea, Liverpool, City and Arsenal, with also some tough away games, considering our recent standards. Right now, I'm pissed off because I fear for our progress and our place in the top 4. Another year outside of it will be extremely bad for the club.

 

[broccoli]

Think most fans must adjust their expectations. Said it when the mass hysteria about Sánchez started and knew this would be a tough game. Sevilha is used to big games and they are a tricky team at home.

 

[peridigm]

We literally escaped Seville tonight due to the sheer luck that our goalkeeper is the best keeper the game has seen since Schmeichel. We might very well go through but I can't say I'd look forward to another away knockout game after seeing that. What the feck...

Yeah I agree. We’re at the point where we need less games, not more. Totally spineless approach today. We might get through but just as we played for a draw today, you can bet Sevilla are capable of the same at OT.

 

[Luke1995]

This game reminded me of both Villarreal games in 08-09, where the team's play overall was very dull and the only player who did well was C.Ronaldo, same tonight with De Gea.

 

[Fergie 7ime]

The problem for me stems from the fans willingness to accept mediocrity. We quaintly, almost romantically, see ourselves as fair minded and patient and that has had a knock on effect on the club. We accommodate this outdated and poorly thought out football far longer than fans of every other top club in Europe and this is why I think we are getting left so far behind. We are very much in danger of going the way of the scousers because of our own inability to stand up and say enough is enough.

We've lost our way somewhere, probably beginning when Sir Alex adapted our tactics to play in Europe more effectively (less naively?) and, because his legacy was cemented by then, we accepted this pragmatism in the pursuit of results. The "Rooney on the left" years are still having an effect on the supporters to this day.

The sooner we get back to understanding that trying to play our opponents game, rather than concentrating on our own, isn't what Manchester United is about, the sooner we can start looking forward again. Just look at all the top teams in Europe....Real, Barca, City, PSG, Liverpool, Spurs, Chelsea.....how many play with BOTH eyes on what the opposition is doing? We approach it like we're playing the italians in the 90's and that means we are burdening our players with the tactical possibilities and outcomes of every move. We seem to overthink EVERYTHING, even the simplest pass seems beyond some of our players, and that for me is the cause of our laughably indecisive football.

We're playing Chess whilst our opposition are on a bouncy castle.

Sadly, I think that until we stop being so accepting of this diabolical football and remember, as fans, what it is that makes us Manchester United, we will continue to allow this rudderless ship to bugger about willy nilly until it hits a great big bloody iceberg.

A very romantic thought, but you're delusional if you think we have so much influence as fans. I do recognise our matchgoers are one of the most forgiving, but just have a look at one of the many Gunners 'Wenger out' uprisings in recent years. It amounts to precisely nothing in the end.

 

[Jaap]

A few times we tried to attack away from home and Fergie realized it was naive so he reverted to the safe approach.

Away from home in Europe under Fergie (last 10 years):

2012/2013: 2-1, 3-1, 0-1 - KO: 1-1.
2011/2012: 1-1, 2-0 & 1-2.
2010/2011: 1-0, 3-0, 1-0 - KO: 0-0, 1-0 & 2-0.
2009/2010: 1-0, 1-0, 3-1 - KO: 3-2 & 1-2.
2008/2009: 3-0, 1-1, 0-0 - KO: 0-0, 1-0 & 3-1.
2007/2008: 1-0, 4-2, 1-1 - KO: 1-1, 2-0 & 0-0.
2006/2007: 1-0, 0-1, 0-1 - KO: 1-0, 1-2, & 0-3.
2005/2006: 0-0, 0-1 & 1-2.
2004/2005: 2-2, 0-0, 0-3 - KO: 0-1.
2003/2004: 1-2, 1-0, 1-0 - KO: 1-2.

47 games: 22 wins - 12 draws - 13 defeats (10 of those came in the first four seasons).
20 conceded in the first 17 games; 18 in the last 30. Immense. Look at the 2010/2011 campaign.

So, losing just THREE games in his last 30 European matches away from home is fantastic. Might have changed his approach after those years, esp. after the 06/07 campaign.

 

[crossy1686]

The fact you keep on coming at me personally from the start, it goes to show that you don't have a single solid argument to go with your emotional drivel about everyone being mean to Mourinho and the team because of the shite on a stick football.

I was backing Mourinho and was so happy with the new contract, but we have generally been in bad form since the defeat to City, our football on the pitch is somehow getting worse, we lost almost all our point advantage to our other rivals and now we are in a proper top 4 battle again. Our recent form has been one of our worst this season and what's making it worse is we have a tough schedule to follow, playing Chelsea, Liverpool, City and Arsenal, with also some tough away games, considering our recent standards. Right now, I'm pissed off because I fear for our progress and our place in the top 4. Another year outside of it will be extremely bad for the club.

I agree with most of the things you've said but you've been accusing me of something I didn't do throughout the thread, despite me telling you that I hadn't done that and then clarifying the confusion! Lets just see where we are in a few weeks shall we? It might not all be doom and gloom.

 

[Paxi]

I reckon he’ll have a much harder time listing the “dozens” of excellent away game he apparently remembers...

Inter (2009), Porto (2009), Arsenal (2009), Roma (2008), Milan (2010), Bayern Munich (2010), Schalke (2011), Real Madrid (2013), Chelsea (2011)

Okay, it's not a dozen but all of those games were in knock out stages. And in all of those games - we were very good to absolutely fecking superb. Certainly not the performances we've been seeing lately.
And yes, of course we had dire perfomances in Europe under SAF but games that I mentioned more than made up for those games at Milan, Benfica, Villareal.

 

[goin4glory]

There's just no way we can expect to challenge for major titles playing like that. It's not a one off and we've been beaten by Spurs/Newcastle alone in the past month with similar performances. The difference being Spurs have quality players and Newcastle were actually clinical, if Sevilla had Kane we'd have been hammered tonight.

 

[RAVred]

I do think we'll go through. But truly an awful game to watch, was falling asleep and it was 7am in the morning here in Sydney.

 

[Foxbatt]

This is not being Seville being a tough place to go. This is us being shite now for a long time. I have supported Jose all through this but now it is time he also delivered. It is no point in blaming the players all the time. The team plays as if they have never seen each other. They cannot pass, they cannot control the game and they are devoid of tactics and ideas. We might be in second but this United is playing worse that the LVG United. At least we kept the ball most of the time though however boring it was. We also have a much better team now that with LVG.

 

[Tapori]

I feel like everyone is expecting to see a United side that doesn't exist anymore and hence expectations are a bit skewed.

The SAF era is long gone, we are not the force we once were. I look at this game and see we have far more work to do than previously thought.

But Mourinho's commitment to winning and winning trophies cannot be questioned; he's a serial winner. I believe we'll get to where we want to be but it will be an ugly road and we need to strap ourselves in tightly for that ride.

Rival fans, know-it-all pundits, ex-players will slate and come after us hard because we are Manchester United and we are delicious bait. We have all the resources to rise up again and better.

We'll get there.

This.

Mourinho is a winner like SAF. We'll be fine.

 

[Tapori]

Can we have a special mention for Sevilla's excellent 12th man - The referee.

Jesus, some of those fouls called esp. where McTominay brought the ball down beautifully and a few other horrendous decisions outside our box.

 

[wolvored]

Not if we also concede 3 at home.

I'm not saying that we're a better side than Liverpool. All I am saying is that we can't lose our heads over a goalless draw away at a tough ground.

No but we could draw 0-0 1-1 or 2-2 and go through. Its more limited with a 0-0 we have to win to go through

 

[acnumber9]

He got sacked for finishing 4th, then 5th + FA cup, apparently with inferior players, not really anything worse than what we’ve done so far under Mourinho, who let’s face it, was saved by the Europa league cup having the prize of a CL place.

It’s all well and good saying 2nd in the league and still in CL, but the season hasn’t ended yet.

I don’t expect us to play phenomenal every week, but for a club of Uniteds supposed stature, the performance that we saw tonight should be the exception, not the overwhelming norm they have become.

He ‘achieved’ that at a time Leicester City could win the league. We score more goals and win more games. That’s why the clamouring for his dismissal isn’t as great.

 

[Toddler]

Result wise acceptable. The way we play atm is something else, it is horrible to watch, there is no team on the field. Disjointed. Well, Mourinho away style it was I guess. I' m waiting to judge this team after the second leg. Hopefully then we will see a proper attacking team.

 

[fcbforever]

Inter (2009), Porto (2009), Arsenal (2009), Roma (2008), Milan (2010), Bayern Munich (2010), Schalke (2011), Real Madrid (2013), Chelsea (2011)

Okay, it's not a dozen but all of those games were in knock out stages. And in all of those games - we were very good to absolutely fecking superb. Certainly not the performances we've been seeing lately.
And yes, of course we had dire perfomances in Europe under SAF but games that I mentioned more than made up for those games at Milan, Benfica, Villareal.

I remember you losing to a side that hadn’t made it to the semis for 8 years in 2010. A side that was captained by Mark Van Bommel and featured Martin fecking Denichelis in defense. So that was fecking superb?

 

[Mockney]

Our record in Spain (before tonight’s game)

Celta Vigo (0-1, Rashford) last season was most recent away win against a Spanish team. Other two were in 2010 against Valencia (0-1, Hernandez) and 2002 against Deportivo (0-2, Beckham and Ruud). And that’s it. Drawn or lost the other 20 games. Five of the last seven ended nil all. 6 out of 8 after tonight’s game.

Yeah, but no, but you see Pogue, Fergie would never put out a performance like that. I mean, sure, maybe he would.. but only once. Or maybe twice. But only in the group stages. Okay, maybe in the first leg of a knock out. But only away. Alright, he might have sometimes put out a performance like that. But even if he did, he'd at least have tried to win it with attacking subs in the last 10 minutes. But not like Jose's attacking subs in the last 10 minutes. I mean, you know, proper attacking subs in the last 10 minutes. Like Rossi & Park, or Smith & Fortune, or Welbeck and Macheda. Or maybe just Forlan? (literally just Forlan - He didn't even bring on Scholes for that one). That kind of thing. Not anything as defensive as Rashford and Martial, at any rate.

Point is, Man Utd under Fergie never played as unexceptionally acceptably as that. And even when we did, we at least did it with more... I dunno.. back heels, or something?

 

[United never give up]

Out of interest does everyone think we'll get through?

I feel that people are kidding themselves with all of this "We'll get through but struggle in the Quarter finals" nonsense

We're on a tight rope - Sevilla are favourites going into the 2nd leg

They clearly outplayed us and we didn't get an away goal - I expect them to get at least 1 goal at OT as we'll have to push forwards more. If it reaches extra time then our lack of away goal will really hurt us

I genuinely believe that we're heading out

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Out of interest does everyone think we'll get through?

I feel that people are kidding themselves with all of this "We'll get through but struggle in the Quarter finals" nonsense

We're on a tight rope - Sevilla are favourites going into the 2nd leg

They clearly outplayed us and we didn't get an away goal - I expect them to get at least 1 goal at OT as we'll have to push forwards more. If it reaches extra time then our lack of away goal will really hurt us

I genuinely believe that we're heading out

I think we will get through but, it is going to be ugly.

 

[cyberman]

@United never give up
Ironic user name?

 

[Jonno]

Mate, two words -- away goal.

One goal from them and we're in trouble.

True, but we still simply have to beat them to progress. I'd say thats a good outcome against a side who are formidable at home and poor away from home.

 

[Paxi]

I remember you losing to a side that hadn’t made it to the semis for 8 years in 2010. A side that was captained by Mark Van Bommel and featured Martin fecking Denichelis in defense. So that was fecking superb?

We played well in Munich albeit losing 2-1. And would have beat Munich over the two legs had Rooney not injured himself. Rooney who probably had the best season on his career.

 

[breakout67]

SAF time in europe was inconsistent. A team of the quality of United should never get knocked out at the group stages but he did that a few times. The way the CL is seeded; it's set up for the big teams to go through.

Out of interest does everyone think we'll get through?

I feel that people are kidding themselves with all of this "We'll get through but struggle in the Quarter finals" nonsense

We're on a tight rope - Sevilla are favourites going into the 2nd leg

They clearly outplayed us and we didn't get an away goal - I expect them to get at least 1 goal at OT as we'll have to push forwards more. If it reaches extra time then our lack of away goal will really hurt us

I genuinely believe that we're heading out

United are favourites and it has nothing to do with opinion. We are very good at home and Sevilla are very poor away from home.

The home team is always the favourite after a 0-0 first leg.

 

[United never give up]

SAF time in europe was inconsistent. A team of the quality of United should never get knocked out at the group stages but he did that a few times. The way the CL is seeded; it's set up for the big teams to go through.



United are favourites and it has nothing to do with opinion. We are very good at home and Sevilla are very poor away from home.

The home team is always the favourite after a 0-0 first leg.

I wouldn't say so, its 50/50

If anything a 0-0 is good for the home team, as a last minute away goal (see Barca vs Chelsea 2009) gives no chance of recovery

0-0 is decent IF you are truly formidable at home: but are we? (when playing top teams, not minnows)

 

[United never give up]

@United never give up
Ironic user name?

Haha fair point, sorry Im just frustrated by the way we played more than anything

When the 2nd leg comes round all the frustration will be replaced by 100% enthusiasm in supporting the players, no matter what happens, till the last second

Come on United - we're still in this!

 

[Giggs86]

Pathetic. Any other top team with decent attacking players would've finished us 5-0. If we play like that against Barca/Real/Munich this would get ugly pretty fast. Unbelievable that after all that money spent and all those years post Moyes and yet we play the same dogshit football, may I say even worse than we played under Moyes the last we were in that stage.

 

[Giggs86]

Everyone saying that 0-0 is a good result to take home, are you out of your minds? This is almost like losing. If they score first at OT then suddenly we need to score two, and god forbid they score first in the latter stages of the game then we panic and no way we score two goals under pressure.

We should've risked it all to get that away goal today, worst case we would've conceded and lost 0-1, doesn't change much for the return leg. I really hope that this lack of urgency to get the away goal won't bite us in the ass.

 

[breakout67]

I wouldn't say so, its 50/50

If anything a 0-0 is good for the home team, as a last minute away goal (see Barca vs Chelsea 2009) gives no chance of recovery

0-0 is decent IF you are truly formidable at home: but are we? (when playing top teams, not minnows)

The home team goes through roughly 65% of the time after a 0-0 in the first leg. So no, it isn't 50/50. Especially considering this is Sevilla and not Barcelona or Bayern Munich we are facing.

 

[dogwithabone]

0-0 away isn’t a great result in my opinion. Even if we go one up at home it’s on a knife edge. 3-0 is about the only scoreline heading into the last 10 or 15 minutes where you can perhaps properly relax.

 

[Mibabalou]

Anyone remember the 0-0 away in marseille we had in the season we made it to the final?

It wasn’t always gung-ho football under sir Alex...

 

[Mastadon]

Poor result against an average team. Anyone happy with this result has clearly set the bar very low. Not an awful result but coming off the back of the last few games it pretty lousy.

All that money spent for this? I bet Sevilla cost a small fraction of your team.