[TMDaines]

One thing interesting after the full time whistle is three people got big reactions from those who stayed. Pogba was given a big round of applause when he headed down the tunnel first acknowledging the fans. Rashford did too when he did a half lap of stadium, and Ole got a load chants. It was muted for everyone else.

 

[redmanx]

City wins the league, Liverpool champions league , Tottenham and Chelsea 3rd and 4th, Arsenal wins europa league = qualifies for champione league or vice versa chelsea and arsenal ....that should piss us off.

What pisses me off is that Manchester United didn't win any of these, what other clubs do is immaterial, all I want is for us to be #1

 

[dave1956]

Some observations from the game. City players are comfortable in receiving the ball even when closed down and everything is tight. Constant movement, creating space inorder to receive the ball, pulling opposition players out of position, confidence in each others ability to read the game.
Utd., players not comfortable in receiving the ball when closed down, so they go into panic mode and , resort to the hoof system, lack of movement in support of the ball holding player again leading to the hoof ball. Lack of movement and anticipation leading to the opposition being able to form a defensive line.
One example on the difference between the 2 teams tonight. City on the attack ball goes out for a City throw, Kompany takes a quick throw and immediately City maintain the attacking movement, as City players were already moving into space to receive the ball.
Utd., on the attack ball goes out for a Utd., throw, Young picks up the ball, then looks for a free player, takes a couple of steps again looks for a free player, and still no movement, this allows City to reform and close down Utd., players, Young waits no movement and eventually throws to a marked team mate, who loses possession and City build another attack.
Unfortunately we have too many players who lack close ball control and quick feet, therefore are very uncomfortable when receiving a ball if closely marked, others lack the ability to read a game and we have defenders who lack the ability to tackle and come away with the ball and play a forward pass.
As both Souness and Keane commented on the game Utd., lack players who can do the basics required of the game. WE have reached a point whereby any manager would struggle to bring this present squad up to a standard whereby they would win the PL.

 

[Mike Oxard]

There are some things to take heart from tonight. Arsenal lost, so we’re still in the hunt for the Holy Grail of 4th, we definitely put the effort in and we could walk away from the ground with our heads held high on the basis that we weren’t totally humiliated by a team who are light years ahead of us. I think that we missed a bit of ‘heart’ at the back. Phil Jones being out was a big miss in my view. He’s made for Derby matches.

 

[Sir Scott McToMinay]

For the first time, I was watching United play and being fine with a loss, due to the unfortunate circumstances.
So, this gave me the opportunity to watch the game as almost a neutral, and come to objective conclusion about the quality in our squad.

So, the only players who played for us tonight that have class are:

-Rashford (some of his touches in and around the box were absolutely of the highest technical level, and he gets involved.

-Pogba with better teammates some of his passes behind the defense would’ve resulted in a goal.

-Lindelof good enough to be a starting CB for us imo, needs a partner who is better than him, Smalling won’t cut it, has absolutely no composure, good
enough to be in the squad? Maybe, maybe not.

-Shaw wasn’t great, but he’s been good this season and he can play.

The rest are either not good enough footballers, or lack the mentality to play at this level.

The great United teams had classy players all across the field, players who can play.

 

[Beachryan]

I don't think there's much shame in losing to this City team with our squad in the state it's in, with them having so much riding on the match.

The problem is if City score first that's basically game over, because (and I think it's dull as feck) they'll just keep the ball in their own half until you're so bored you make a mistake. It's really hard to do anything about that, just like Barca. And given our ability to press, it was basically over the second Silva's shot went in.

This is not the match that is a problem. Everton, Wolves, hell even West Ham - those are the performances that worry me.

I'm not giving up on Ole and I'm happy enough to give him a full year in charge but 7 wins in 9 makes from some really bleak reading. It's at least 50/50 to be 8 out of 10.

 

[stu_1992]

Much better effort, so despite losing to bitter rivals of ours I'm nowhere near as disappointed with this result. We were beaten by a better team out there. Better teams than us will have lost to that lot. A shame, but it's the reality.

The one thing I will is about De Gea. What the feck is going on there man? Form has fallen off a cliff. Its too much now to dismiss it as just the odd mistake which happens to everyone. Even if he is pissed about his contact or what's a move, I don't understand how he could have his head that out of the game to affect his performances this much! In any case he needs a right old shake up!

 

[Bastian]

Happy with the result, even if it was weird watching the match with that mindset. The performance is a repeat of other responses. We can look like quite a team for the first 15 minutes of matches.

 

[gerdm07]

I think we played 2 shorts passes from a goal kick. De Gea just doesn't trust our team to play our of the back and you can't blame him. We need massive upgrades at CH and DM.

 

[Judas]

Remember when everyone got mad at Moyes for saying we need to get to their level......

We weren’t a million miles away from them when he said that though, we are now.

 

[slored1]

Don't really care for this overrated and overpaid bunch of mess. Woodward should step down already or even darker times will be ahead of us...

 

[RooneyLegend]

We're in so much trouble it isn't funny. Between Rashford and Lingz who really expected a goal? Our forwards are either young and talented with major flaws, flat out incompetent or well past their sell by date. The big issue with all of this is that there aren't obvious options on the market. Put Tevez and Rooney in that team last night with those tactics and we have a goal or 2 before 20 mins. Right now it seems in these situations we're on a hiding to nowhere. It's at a point where I'd consider Tadic. Both home matches vs Barca and City painted a bleak immediate future for us.

 

[RooneyLegend]

I think we played 2 shorts passes from a goal kick. De Gea just doesn't trust our team to play our of the back and you can't blame him. We need massive upgrades at CH and DM.

This is a big problem cause he's poor kicking upfield. He's however pretty decent with his short passing.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

There's just been a terror attack on the world trade center in New York, also the Glazers motive is more money.

Anything else you've missed out on in the past 16 years ?

It's not like the motive of the board when we were a PLC were to spend as much money as possible and dominate world football, it was always a combination of success and money, they were happy to put their foot down when it came to transfer fees, agent fees and wages, much to Fergies dislike.

The crucial factor here is that we've spent an absolute shitload of money on dross, both in transfer fees and wages (one of the highest wage bills in Europe, mint).

Well yes. I know they just want to take money from the club, so instead of signing the right players they have been bringing players in who are marketable, who will attract sponsors, who will sell shirts for Adidas, so they can recoup the money they gave us. That has to change. We have to start building a team, not a bunch of strangers with their own agendas.

 

[Wumminator]

Well yes. I know they just want to take money from the club, so instead of signing the right players they have been bringing players in who are marketable, who will attract sponsors, who will sell shirts for Adidas, so they can recoup the money they gave us. That has to change. We have to start building a team, not a bunch of strangers with their own agendas.

Hang on a minute, which of the last ten signings were marketable and would fetch money back? We actually went the opposite way, gave Mourinho our full backing and he turns around and signs Fred, Matic and Sanchez.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Hang on a minute, which of the last ten signings were marketable and would fetch money back? We actually went the opposite way, gave Mourinho our full backing and he turns around and signs Fred, Matic and Sanchez.

Sanchez should have been if he wasn't so crap. Pogba as well. The others are just rubbish like most of them. We are just a very average team put together by different managers, with different ideas. I just don't know when this is going to end.

 

[JEredDevil]

Although we lost, felt that there was actually some fight in it. Did anyone really expect us to win again? 7 losses in 9 games is unacceptable but we weren't "supposed" to win a City side competing for the title anyway, not with our current squad. Yes a win would be good but the games that we should have won was Wolves and Everton, otherwise the rest of the losses came against Arsenal and Barcelona which when you look on paper, isint too bad at all. Top 4 is really a bonus now and if only disadvantage if we dont get UCL next season is marquee signings not wanting to come, then so be it. We have been trying to go for galaticos for the past few windows and it is not paying off for us. Even Ronaldo was still an unknown when we signed him.

Anyway back to the match, I think Ole has already in his mind who he wants for next season and he seems to be giving the rest of them a chance to prove that they wants to stay. We actually played like a team in the first half although we had to soak up much of City's pressure but City came out of the break a new side and also the introduction of Sane sealed the outcome of the match. Even if De Gea had not conceded those goals, im still pretty sure City would win. Lingard was disappointing (maybe he missed those chances because he didnt want liverpool to win the title), Rashford was causing City's backline lots of problems in the 1st half and probably would do better if he had more experience. Kompany might be slow was he was too smart for Rashford. Young had a good free kick in the first half (surprisingly) and I thought our defence did well to hold up until the 2nd half and the 1st goal knocked us out again (just like Barca). Current mentality of the players doesn't seem capable of producing comebacks since the PSG game possibily due to low morale.

Ole tatical nous showed in the 2nd half when we were completely outclass by City but it could also be due to the difference in quality of both teams. Before anyone starts flaming me for thinking I want Ole out, please note that i want him to stay and i think he is the right man for the job, even more so than Poch. Only saying this because i feel that Ole is still inexperience as a manager and coming up against Pep, with the quality City has, it's always gonna be an uphill task.

Next game against Chelsea would be tough, if they played the way in the first half tonight, we have a good chance of winning. But if the team against Everton shows up, that would pretty much kill our Top 4 chances. I would expect Ole to start playing all the youth for the last 2 games if we lost to Chelsea

 

[Member 113277]

Mate. City deserved the win. Our players are just not good enough. People need to see that now. We need to rebuild.

This.

 

[haram]

I think we played 2 shorts passes from a goal kick. De Gea just doesn't trust our team to play our of the back and you can't blame him. We need massive upgrades at CH and DM.

Or doesn’t trust himself.

 

[B20]

Bunch of raggedy posers without much talent.

De Gea has come to the end of the line now that hus shot stopping doesn't cover up the mignoletesque level of his allround game.

Smalling is simply not a very good defender. He's, fast and strong but none of the other things a defender needs.

Fred? More like FRAUD. Struggled to pass water.

Lingard is simply awful. But watching Lukaku come on instead and trap the ball further than I can kick it explains why he gets a start.

Pogba the only one who delivered moments of match winning quality, yet he still goes and loses headers to raheem sterling.

Watching this team trying to pass out from the back was embarrassing. The only positive from it was that city's defenders weren't very good at heading to their own players once it had been punted long.

The amount of times midfield lost the ball due to basic poor touches was shocking. Rare to see a top half side whose biggest problem is taking touches that doesn't pass it to the opposition. Lack of basic technique all over the pitch.

Was like watching a plucky championship side in an fa cup tie against a title challenger that showed up on the day. They didn't need to do more than play their usual game to outclass you.

Rooting for a team like that was distinctly unpleasant and I shan't be doing again.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

If we do not do the business against Chelsea, bring the kids in for the last two games. We will get 6th at least so let them have a run out and see what they can do.

 

[Bestofthebest]

I didn't watch the match last night because I knew we would lose but not by how many and also felt we would not score, which we didn't. Instead I avoided all reporting etc and took my wife out for a meal. Quite a costly night. This morning I was up at four o'clock and watching the game which I had taped.


Two things. One, this is the first time in living memory that I have not followed a Utd match live in any way possible, even if that is only intermittent reporting. Second, the game brought to mind a saying my grandad said when I was a kid, " You can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear " and my god this Utd team really is a sows ear. There are so many weaknesses that I could write a Ph.D thesis on how bad they are. I don't need to though because most people on here realise the faults.


The blame lies in so many things including poor coaching from successive managers, poor recruitment strategy, abhorrent salary structuring, I could go on and on. However, at present I don't believe any of this can be laid at
Ole's door. What other manager could have come to this team and made them better without serious surgery to the team and significant, more importantly, better organised investment?


It is about time the club realised how serious it is to us supporters to have a team we can get behind and support whatever a match result. Right now I am becoming more inclined to go out for more meals and watch/read about the match later. I never thought I would get to this stage and in all honesty I doubt I could bring myself to do this, the thought of it is painful enough.

 

[Sultan]

Manchester won the game. This will stop Scousers gloating for many years hopefully.

 

[UncleBob]

Well yes. I know they just want to take money from the club, so instead of signing the right players they have been bringing players in who are marketable, who will attract sponsors, who will sell shirts for Adidas, so they can recoup the money they gave us. That has to change. We have to start building a team, not a bunch of strangers with their own agendas.

Which players have been signed against the will of the manager ?

 

[Wade3]

How often has it happened this season that the first goal of the opponent was one that should've absolutely not happened? I simply couldn't believe City actually scored from that position given the angle and space Silva had. Both our defenders and de Gea looked poorly on the first goal.

And how often has it been the case that our finishing has really let us down? We've had enough good chance that, mathematically speaking, at least one of them should've been converted. The game would've been a totally different one.

While we need a player or two for our defense and another one in midfield, we surely also need a proper striker. In so many games, whether it's Lingard, Rashford or Lukaku, I feel like our finishing has really let us down. Martial is a good enough finisher, but he simply doesn't have the drive to create enough chances for himself.

 

[Volumiza]

Maybe time to give DDG a few weeks off to reset and give Romero a run of games.

Both goals last night would have usually been saved by DDG, something’s just not right with him.

Rashford just isn’t good enough to lead our line, sorry to all his die hard supporters, but he just isn’t.

And how we’ve ended up with a midfield lacking so much ability is mind boggling. Ander aside (and pogba when he chooses) we must have one of the worst midfields in the premier league.

Ole has a huge job on his hands and only time will tell if he is up to it. Much as I love him, for me, the jury is very much still out. I don’t remember another summer transfer window carrying so much importance.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Which players have been signed against the will of the manager ?

The way some have been bought and then the manager at the time does not play them at all I would say quite a few, or they are remarkably bad judges. I would say most of the LvG players actually. I think yes he OK'd them but I don't think he suggested them, apart from maybe Bastian. Falcao and ADM were just opportunist buys. I think it has been the case in a few of them. The manager agreed to the purchases but they were not players they asked for. Moyes I let off because Fellaini and Mata were his, just be dithered about so much or there might have been more. I think Ed wanted Fred and Sanchez just to stick it to City and Jose wanted bodies in as Ed was over-ruling him on the players he actually did want.

 

[UncleBob]

The way some have been bought and then the manager at the time does not play them at all I would say quite a few, or they are remarkably bad judges. I would say most of the LvG players actually. I think yes he OK'd them but I don't think he suggested them, apart from maybe Bastian. Falcao and ADM were just opportunist buys. I think it has been the case in a few of them. The manager agreed to the purchases but they were not players they asked for. Moyes I let off because Fellaini and Mata were his, just be dithered about so much or there might have been more. I think Ed wanted Fred and Sanchez just to stick it to City and Jose wanted bodies in as Ed was over-ruling him on the players he actually did want.

So we're down to "you'd like to believe" they were signed without the manager actually wanting them. Impressive.

Is there anything else you like to believe

 

[yamo123x]

Many people commenting on here have never played the game at a decent level..it is glaringly obvious that we are not a team, we are incapable of keeping the ball, stringing any passea together and we have zero flair in forward areas,not one player can commit a defender. We resist to hoof ball. We also struggle to retrieve the ball, good sides in the modern era hunt the ball down and get it back as soon as it is lost, we dont do this. When we do get near the box there is no in there....its painful to watch.

You can run about as much as you like but if you are incapable of keeping the ball and having any type of creativity then you have zero chance.

 

[mitchmouse]

The effort was clearly much better than against Everton but for all the running around and for about 20 minutes looking the better side, we created almost nothing again, we never really unlocked their defence. In the second half we were about the third best side of the park!

Once again Pogba flattered to deceive - I have no idea why people here think he's good. He lost the ball and didn't chase back, he didn't go with his runner (he played a part in their second goal). Frankly. he's a show pony.Lots of words but no action.

Of course others were poor too - DDG looks shot. I've been saying for ages his reliance on his feet would come back to haunt him. The second goal was definitely a huge error and do wonder about the first as well. Would a DDG of last season or the season before have saved that - I think so.

The way we let Sane just go through us was so poor. Who was drawn to the centre back area when he should have been with Sane?

Young's passing was awful again although his defending wasn't as bad as in other recent games. I though Lindelof looked OK. Lingard isn't good enough, Martial did nothing when he came on and Rashford faded drastically after half time.

As I've said for years now, we have no creativity in midfield and no real width with actual wingers. Ole's team choice just looked weird - he seems to have resorted to guessing what might work. All in all, not one of our players would be in City's matchday 16. The strength on the bench compared to us was probably as wide as when were ridin high and they were being relegated.

I'm not even sure we can beat Huddersfield or Cardiff

 

[haram]

Bunch of raggedy posers without much talent.

De Gea has come to the end of the line now that hus shot stopping doesn't cover up the mignoletesque level of his allround game.

Smalling is simply not a very good defender. He's, fast and strong but none of the other things a defender needs.

Fred? More like FRAUD. Struggled to pass water.

Lingard is simply awful. But watching Lukaku come on instead and trap the ball further than I can kick it explains why he gets a start.

Pogba the only one who delivered moments of match winning quality, yet he still goes and loses headers to raheem sterling.

Watching this team trying to pass out from the back was embarrassing. The only positive from it was that city's defenders weren't very good at heading to their own players once it had been punted long.

The amount of times midfield lost the ball due to basic poor touches was shocking. Rare to see a top half side whose biggest problem is taking touches that doesn't pass it to the opposition. Lack of basic technique all over the pitch.

Was like watching a plucky championship side in an fa cup tie against a title challenger that showed up on the day. They didn't need to do more than play their usual game to outclass you.

Rooting for a team like that was distinctly unpleasant and I shan't be doing again.

Yet Liverpool came to Old Trafford and still couldn't win despite all of our injuries .

 

[mitchmouse]

Some observations from the game. City players are comfortable in receiving the ball even when closed down and everything is tight. Constant movement, creating space inorder to receive the ball, pulling opposition players out of position, confidence in each others ability to read the game.
Utd., players not comfortable in receiving the ball when closed down, so they go into panic mode and , resort to the hoof system, lack of movement in support of the ball holding player again leading to the hoof ball. Lack of movement and anticipation leading to the opposition being able to form a defensive line.
One example on the difference between the 2 teams tonight. City on the attack ball goes out for a City throw, Kompany takes a quick throw and immediately City maintain the attacking movement, as City players were already moving into space to receive the ball.
Utd., on the attack ball goes out for a Utd., throw, Young picks up the ball, then looks for a free player, takes a couple of steps again looks for a free player, and still no movement, this allows City to reform and close down Utd., players, Young waits no movement and eventually throws to a marked team mate, who loses possession and City build another attack.
Unfortunately we have too many players who lack close ball control and quick feet, therefore are very uncomfortable when receiving a ball if closely marked, others lack the ability to read a game and we have defenders who lack the ability to tackle and come away with the ball and play a forward pass.
As both Souness and Keane commented on the game Utd., lack players who can do the basics required of the game. WE have reached a point whereby any manager would struggle to bring this present squad up to a standard whereby they would win the PL.

Pretty much sums up the past three or four years

 

[mitchmouse]

Much better effort, so despite losing to bitter rivals of ours I'm nowhere near as disappointed with this result. We were beaten by a better team out there. Better teams than us will have lost to that lot. A shame, but it's the reality.

The one thing I will is about De Gea. What the feck is going on there man? Form has fallen off a cliff. Its too much now to dismiss it as just the odd mistake which happens to everyone. Even if he is pissed about his contact or what's a move, I don't understand how he could have his head that out of the game to affect his performances this much! In any case he needs a right old shake up!

It's time for Ole to be brave and "rest" him. Romero should get the rest of the season

 

[Jeffthered]

The legacy of buying over-rated and hyped players for a number years is now plain to see.

Our standards have dropped, through poor recruitment from dreadful management and a reactive Board with no knowledge of the game.

Ole saying things like 'they are good lads... pre-season we will see..' really, really, really worries me, because these players will not improve. I hope that is positive spin, rather than genuine expectation.

 

[Run_time_error]

If you're going to start a comment in the post match discussion with "I didn't watch the match but", sod off please.

 

[Siorac]

Bunch of raggedy posers without much talent.

(...)

Rooting for a team like that was distinctly unpleasant and I shan't be doing again.

You should have plenty of experience in doing exactly that from the last two decades.

 

[Tincanalley]

There are some things to take heart from tonight. Arsenal lost, so we’re still in the hunt for the Holy Grail of 4th, we definitely put the effort in and we could walk away from the ground with our heads held high on the basis that we weren’t totally humiliated by a team who are light years ahead of us. I think that we missed a bit of ‘heart’ at the back. Phil Jones being out was a big miss in my view. He’s made for Derby matches.

I largely agree. Not comparable with the debacle against Everton. Actually were as good as them in the first half. Very apparent that individual failings let us down, in particular the finishing capabilities/decision making of Rashford and Lingard, and sadly, the work of DDG.

 

[Ban]

You should have plenty of experience in doing exactly that from the last two decades.

I can't phantom why is he allowed to post outside football forum.

 

[Tincanalley]

Its very obvious now the degree to which we rely on Herrera and a fit Matic, to complement Pogba, who doesn't have either the ability or the motivation for defensive duties.

 

[GhastlyHun]

Watching the highlights, United in fact didn't look far off. The chances they created were good, but taken poorly, or met by a very alert Ederson. Things were reversed with City's strikes, the positions were a bit unlikely but the shots were taken well and found De Gea out of form again.
Btw, the xG was around 0.5-0.5 too, which rather fits what i said above.