[Dr. Dwayne]

We have two routes into the champions league though. Its in our hand in the premier league and we're in with a shout for the Europa too.

Chelsea have been inconsistent of late and we've had the better of them this season. Arsenal are also pretty poor this season and easily beatable.

You couldnt have asked for an easier route to a trophy.

If your in the semi final and thats your route - anything but winning the competition is a bit of a let down in my opinion.

We were tactically poor and out played man for man. Chelsea outfought and outplayed us and made us look very very ordinary. It wasnt an acceptable performance from any of our players on the pitch.

Will history remember we finished 3rd or 4th or that we won the FA Cup? I get what your saying - champs league is important but so is winning a trophy.

Im amazed more of our fans arent as annoyed as i am. Shambles

It's great that we have two opportunities to get there. Sew it up with out league position and the pressure of off in the Europa league, which is very beneficial.

I don't disagree that winning a trophy is important but a number of these players have already done that under Jose and while I'm sure all of the playing and cocahing staff would be delighted to win the FA Cup, we have bigger fish to fry and the squad isn't up to challenging on multiple fronts just yet.

Yes it's a let down to lose a semi final but we've been excellent against Chelsea this year (which is highly unusual for us) so expecting a 4-0 record against them this year was always a bit optimistic. Besides, our league results against them have been more important.

Historically, one example I can think of is a manager who won the FA cup but didn't qualify for the Champions League. He got sacked. We know what's more important for the club from a fiscal and sporting perspective, especially in this moment.

 

[Fully Fledged]

No, if we win 2-0, leicester will get through with a 1-0 win.

Yeah.
It doesn't really matter if we win or draw on Wednesday we still need a draw against Leicester.Unless we win by a bucket load that is.

 

[TheLord]

Because City didn't lose to fecking Arsenal the day before, in the same competition? Feck City, seriously. Stop this self-beating and putting City + Pool on a pedestal. It's disgraceful. Pundits do it because they are money-grabbing clowns, there is no need for a United fan to do this.

Only two matches to go and we haven't secured a top-four finish, and are eliminated from all domestic cups.

There are two types of extreme posters in this forum. The first over-pessimistic type jump at every single opportunity to spread doom and gloom, the second over-defensive type can't stand a single criticism.

It doesn't harm to have a more balanced outlook. There's no reason to be so defensive at the slightest criticism.

 

[crossy1686]

We were just in an FA cup semi. Why should our attitude be any different from Chelsea's? they win things every season and get top 4. They won Europa last year and finished 3rd. Before that beat us in the FA cup final. You gotta keep adding to that CV. Getting top 4 will not magically transform us into title contenders. Liverpool became title contenders by signing players from teams not even in the CL. We can and should go for both (top 4 and trophy).

As you said, Chelsea get top 4 every season and win trophies, we still haven't consistently got top 4 yet, I'd love to win a trophy but we're not even one of the top 4 sides in England yet so how can we possibly compete with those who are? I'm not saying we shouldn't be not trying to win trophies, we absolutely should be. I'm saying we have a squad that's pretty weak outside of the first 11 and a goalkeeper that shits the bed every time he's under pressure. We need CL football this season for the transfer funds it will bring in from the Adidas deal and TV revenue, in a COVID market also.

So yeah, I'm not that fussed if we win the FA cup this year because the CL and more funds mean a bigger summer transfer window for us, have some perspective on the situation.

Getting established and bringing better players in over the summer will see us compete for honours better and more regularly. Nothing to do with ambition, it's called reality.

 

[Stacks]

If you ask Pogba, or any foreign players, the difference between playing in CL Vs winning FA, the answer is straight forward. Only English fans care FA more than Top 4. In fact, winning Europa is strategically more important than winning FA.

The fact that FA schedules FA Cup in the 2nd half of the season, meant that it will always be 3rd choice, after CL, EPL.

pretty sure if you ask Pogba was playing in the champions league or winning the Italian cup a better feeling he'd go with the cup. It's not the taking part that counts its the winning. Its a football comp like anything else and being in it to lose isn't something you share with the kids.

Not really. Next season if we get CL we may have sancho which will mean far more to our progress than winning the fa Cup. And anyway, we still have the possibility of the europa league which I'd prefer over the fa Cup anyway.

Its called prioritisation.

1) pretty sure Sancho is coming regardless. Chelsea signed their players before they even qualified for the CL (and still haven't qualified)
3) we can get CL and compete for cups like other teams do every year (Rafa came 3rd, won the FA cup and the Europa in one season)
4) Ole is a Man Utd manager and needs to understand we are a club that collects trophies and not just a CL qualifier. Our rich history is the trophy cabinet, fan base and players. We have the 2nd most FA cups in the country. Its a big part of who we are. Ferguson's 1st trophy was the FA cup.

We have two routes into the champions league though. Its in our hand in the premier league and we're in with a shout for the Europa too.

Chelsea have been inconsistent of late and we've had the better of them this season. Arsenal are also pretty poor this season and easily beatable.

You couldnt have asked for an easier route to a trophy.

If your in the semi final and thats your route - anything but winning the competition is a bit of a let down in my opinion.

We were tactically poor and out played man for man. Chelsea outfought and outplayed us and made us look very very ordinary. It wasnt an acceptable performance from any of our players on the pitch.

Will history remember we finished 3rd or 4th or that we won the FA Cup? I get what your saying - champs league is important but so is winning a trophy.

Im amazed more of our fans arent as annoyed as i am. Shambles

Indeed. I get the feeling some of these guys would even rest our best players in an FA cup final so they can be fresh for a game the following week to try and secure CL qualification.

Brilliant post.

I wish our fans would see this, probably the same fans who mocked Spurs are claiming we are doing the right thing now.

We need to aim to win trophies. We wont get much of a better chance than that last night. Shambles of a performance and shambolic comments from some "fans". Mentality is all wrong

well said

As you said, Chelsea get top 4 every season and win trophies, we still haven't consistently got top 4 yet, I'd love to win a trophy but we're not even one of the top 4 sides in England yet so how can we possibly compete with those who are? I'm not saying we shouldn't be not trying to win trophies, we absolutely should be. I'm saying we have a squad that's pretty weak outside of the first 11 and a goalkeeper that shits the bed every time he's under pressure. We need CL football this season for the transfer funds it will bring in from the Adidas deal and TV revenue, in a COVID market also.

So yeah, I'm not that fussed if we win the FA cup this year because the CL and more funds mean a bigger summer transfer window for us, have some perspective on the situation.

Getting established and bringing better players in over the summer will see us compete for honours better and more regularly. Nothing to do with ambition, it's called reality.

why is it that qualifying for the CL and winning cups are mutually exclusive?

come on man. We are one of the top 4 sides. Arsenal are on course to potentially win a trophy. Are they better than us? I don't even think Chelsea are particularly better than us but just showed more ambition on this occasion. They too have been unreliable in qualifying for the CL. They missed it the year they beat us in the FA Cup final in 2018 but still went for the cup, finished 5th but then made it the next year and won the Europa league at the same time.

We can do this too. I just think it wasn't our day and we must always fight for a cup once you get to the Semis. Would you rest your best players in a final, if you are fighting for a CL place?

 

[lex talionis]

If it impacts on the WHU game it will not be meaningless. Now we will see if Ole can rouse them for that. They cannot start feeling sorry for themselves.

Very true. If yesterday's performance dictates our performance against West Ham then we're in serious trouble.

But I have to believe Martial will start, as will Greenwood and Pogba, three omissions from the starting XI against Chelsea presumably to ensure they're fresh for West Ham.

A shame we've been running Bruno into the ground as of late. This would have been a match Mata could have started for, possibly even Lingard.

 

[Water Melon]

It's great that we have two opportunities to get there. Sew it up with out league position and the pressure of off in the Europa league, which is very beneficial.

I don't disagree that winning a trophy is important but a number of these players have already done that under Jose and while I'm sure all of the playing and cocahing staff would be delighted to win the FA Cup, we have bigger fish to fry and the squad isn't up to challenging on multiple fronts just yet.

Yes it's a let down to lose a semi final but we've been excellent against Chelsea this year (which is highly unusual for us) so expecting a 4-0 record against them this year was always a bit optimistic. Besides, our league results against them have been more important.

Historically, one example I can think of is a manager who won the FA cup but didn't qualify for the Champions League. He got sacked. We know what's more important for the club from a fiscal and sporting perspective, especially in this moment.

Spot on.

 

[Open Goal]

A winning mentality is built up over a period of time. It’s not a case of being born with a good attitude and work ethic. It can grow inside you. You have to surround yourself with people that have accountability inside them. They want to win every single day. High standards have to be set. Ole made an excuse for them to lose in my opinion, prioritizing Top 4 over the FA Cup. A winner wants to win at all costs and Manchester United has always had that mentality under Fergie. That has declined and it shows in the fanbase which some couldn't be bothered with the FA cup, even wanting to put out the reserves so they can make top 4. Thats really bad in my opinion and the mindset of a top club. I always have associated Manchester United with the winner mentality (I also grew watching United under Fergie . The manager sets the tone for a winning mentality. It’s down to him to create a winning environment. Players blossom in an enjoyable atmosphere – one that encourages hard work and preparation. Every single week the manager has to make it clear that he never wants anything other than a victory.

Winners understand that a game isn’t always going to go their way. You will face adversity, but you can’t get too down when you’re losing and get too carried away when you’re winning. The right mindset comes from having a belief in your ability and the confidence to overcome difficult moments. People want to know how Sir Alex Ferguson installed the drive to keep going every single year, to keep winning trophies – that relentless nature that exists at United. He recruited the right type of players – players that had his traits. When you grow up around big players, the best players, who fight every single minute they’re on the pitch you think, ‘How can I not follow that?’ You pick up their habits.

 

[theklr]

Think many of you are overcomplicating or oversimplifying things. If we would have as much rest as Chelsea we’d for sure be playing our strongest. Ole tried to both play for a win but as well rest some players, but he failed to do so. Im sure 50% would be unhappy if he fielded our B-team, and 50% if he put our strongest.

 

[Gator Nate]

Redcafe: we don't care about the F.A. Cup.

Redcafe: this is a disgrace we lost, Ole out and [insert players names here] are not good enough.

Truth.

I'm over it. I was over it with the third goal. Moving on. Two league games left. Plus the EL.

 

[crossy1686]

why is it that qualifying for the CL and winning cups are mutually exclusive?

come on man. We are one of the top 4 sides. Arsenal are on course to potentially win a trophy. Are they better than us? I don't even think Chelsea are particularly better than us but just showed more ambition on this occasion. They too have been unreliable in qualifying for the CL. They missed it the year they beat us in the FA Cup final in 2018 but still went for the cup, finished 5th but then made it the next year and won the Europa league at the same time.

We can do this too. I just think it wasn't our day and we must always fight for a cup once you get to the Semis. Would you rest your best players in a final, if you are fighting for a CL place?

I’m not saying they are, you’re implying that’s what I’m saying.

I’m saying we’re not fecking good enough to win a trophy and we have to strengthen before we get to a final and deserve to be there. Which is why the top 4 is important so we get more funds, so we can buy better players. That’s what I’m saying.

The team selection yesterday pretty much admitted Solskjær knows his job is based on a top 4 finish, not an FA cup final or trophy. Hell, I’ll take a semi final this season if it means we go out and get Sancho and a couple others to bolster the squad. The rebuild will take longer the longer we’re out of the CL, and quite frankly I’m fecking tired of being nearly men or going into games hoping we’ll win instead of being confident about it.

 

[noodlehair]

This is exactly it.

And if we had picked a full string second XI, I don't think it would be possible and for them to look as bad as whatever that team we put out did. For a start they would have been comfortable with the system/formation.

Yeah and also had enough legs to cope with Chelsea's pressing which was a vitally important factor. They could have played and lost comfortably all the same going by the performance at Norwich, but if we're not going to use our squad effectively for games like this then there's no point having one.

Klopp/Ferguson would have made 11 changes if they were forced to sandwich an FA cup game between two legaue games less than a week apart from each other. I don't necessarily agree with that but in our circumstances we can't afford mistakes in the league games so it would have been completely understandable.

And I think Fred and McTominay should be playing a lot more than they are anyway. Matic has proven me wrong in that he clearly can offer something the other two can't but he's not suited to games against high tempo opposition and Fred's lack of match sharpness really hurt us as well. Pogba as well. I wouldn't say he looks burnt out but his form is begining to really dip again. He was awful when he came on. I just find it weird that we finally have a good crop of midfielders and yet we are running two of them into the ground and barely utilising the other two...who if anything are the two who's fitness/energy levels can cope with a busy schedule. Fernandes still seems to be running round like a maniac 90 minutes a game so I presume is just not human.

Also the game showed how under appreciated Shaw is. The first two goals simply don't happen if he plays...and that's not a criticism of Williams. Shaw has just been a lot better this season than he's been given credit for. I've lost count of the times he's bailed out Lindelof or Maguire when it comes to their dodgy positioning on crosses. You can't expect that from an 18 year old. The first goal was as bad as the second for me. No effort required to get the ball in and then Lindelof's defending in the box is a complete joke.

 

[Yagami]

I feel like I'm the only one still gutted about this result. I really wanted to win the FA Cup

 

[noodlehair]

To be fair, the team selection and formation are almost identical the one that beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in February.

Spoiler

Team in Feb

De Gea
Bailly Maguire Shaw
AWB Matic Fred Williams
James Martial​

Team yesterday

De Gea
Bailly Maguire Lindelof
AWB Matic Fred Williams
James Rashford​

Only two changes and both like for like. So, the decision didn't work, but not the illogical choice it might appear.

It doesn't factor in that we had a game two days before this and another two days after though.

It also doesn't factor in that we were really quite lucky in that league game. We scored out of nothing and then Chelsea had two marginal VAR calls disallow goals for them and missed several other chances.

It also may only be two changes but Shaw was very good in the league game. Lindelof on Sunday was the polar opposite. Fred had a lot more minutes behind him at the time...and Martial is much better suited to holding the ball than Rashford is. Small changes can make big differences.

I'm not overly disappointed with hte result as the FA cup was always a bonus rather than a main goal. Just don't really get what the plan was. I didn't think that team selection gave us much chance in the circumstances but it didn't really help us in terms of the West HAm and Leicester games either. It was neither one thing nor the other.

Easy to criticise when we lose obviously but it's not like I was happy with it before the game either. We've had games this season where I've thought "yeah that's the right team" and we've then been shite...this one wasn't really one of them. Would have been happier to give the likes of Ighalo, McTominay, Mata etc. some game time...and I'd have found a way to rest Bissaka whoever it meant playing instead.

 

[noodlehair]

I feel like I'm the only one still gutted about this result. I really wanted to win the FA Cup

I think the fact that the last FA cup final we were in felt like a pre-season game has kind of put me off. In fact the last few FA cup finals have been a bit like that.

 

[Croftona7]

It doesnt work like that, if we get 3 goals against WH Leicester need 2 goals to go ahead of us.

We're level on GD now, so if we beat WH 3 nil and Leicester beat us 2 nil, we'll be level on points but one goal better GD than Leicester.

Am I missing something?

 

[Gator Nate]

We're level on GD now, so if we beat WH 3 nil and Leicester beat us 2 nil, we'll be level on points but one goal better GD than Leicester.

Am I missing something?

Yeah, every goal Leicester beats us by would count double. One for them, one against us. So if we win 3-0 against WH, and go in with a 3 goal advantage, when Leicester scores the first, it drops to +1 us (Leicester goes up one, we go down one) and the second puts them up a goal (they go up another, we go down another).

 

[Stacks]

I’m not saying they are, you’re implying that’s what I’m saying.

I’m saying we’re not fecking good enough to win a trophy and we have to strengthen before we get to a final and deserve to be there. Which is why the top 4 is important so we get more funds, so we can buy better players. That’s what I’m saying.

The team selection yesterday pretty much admitted Solskjær knows his job is based on a top 4 finish, not an FA cup final or trophy. Hell, I’ll take a semi final this season if it means we go out and get Sancho and a couple others to bolster the squad. The rebuild will take longer the longer we’re out of the CL, and quite frankly I’m fecking tired of being nearly men or going into games hoping we’ll win instead of being confident about it.

But we just played a team who are 1 point above us, we may even finish above them and we have beaten 3 times already, including in one of the cups. The other team competing for the trophy is in 10th place. We're not good enough to win a trophy and deserve to be there? we just spent 200mill this season. So what is the spend needed for United to be able to win a trophy? 400million or something?

I agree with the 2nd bolded bit.

 

[bsCallout]

What if the following happens -

Chelsea lose both games.

We win against West Ham, Draw vs Leicester.

We get third, Leicester get fourth on GD.

Chelsea lose FA cup final.

We win EL.

Would Ole be the genius?

 

[crossy1686]

But we just played a team who are 1 point above us, we may even finish above them and we have beaten 3 times already, including in one of the cups. The other team competing for the trophy is in 10th place. We're not good enough to win a trophy and deserve to be there? we just spent 200mill this season. So what is the spend needed for United to be able to win a trophy? 400million or something?

I agree with the 2nd bolded bit.

The table lies and football is about who's best on the day. We were 14th for a while, doesn't mean we were the 14th best team in England. Spend is relative also, just because we've spent £200m doesn't mean we're good enough to win things, there's lots of work to be done, and yes, we probably do need to spend another £200m to get closer to winning things on a regular basis but that doesn't mean we're entitled to win things either. We only pay what clubs are willing to sell for, there's no guarantee they'll be a success.

It's like when you go to the airport and you pay £10 for a brew and a sandwich. Are you expecting the best brew and butty you've ever had in your life, will it be a life changing experience? No, you pay what you have to pay because that's the going rate and there's nothing else. Let's stop talking about money spent as if it means we're entitled to anything.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yeah, every goal Leicester beats us by would count double. One for them, one against us. So if we win 3-0 against WH, and go in with a 3 goal advantage, when Leicester scores the first, it drops to +1 us (Leicester goes up one, we go down one) and the second puts them up a goal (they go up another, we go down another).

Oh man. That’s away goals style head feckery. If we have +2 GD over Leicester going into that game and score one goal, that will bring it to +4, right?

 

[Gator Nate]

Oh man. That’s away goals style head feckery. If we have +2 GD over Leicester going into that game and score one goal, that will bring it to +4, right?

If we win by one goal, yes. Because they also lose by one goal. But in that situation, we get three points on the table and they get none, so it won't matter.

 

[Rightnr]

No, if we win 2-0, leicester will get through with a 1-0 win.

No, we won't. We're equal on GD with them and any LCFC goal for is one against for us. So that'd mean we're equal on GD and we'd be behind them because they have more goals scored.

 

[Stacks]

The table lies and football is about who's best on the day. We were 14th for a while, doesn't mean we were the 14th best team in England. Spend is relative also, just because we've spent £200m doesn't mean we're good enough to win things, there's lots of work to be done, and yes, we probably do need to spend another £200m to get closer to winning things on a regular basis but that doesn't mean we're entitled to win things either. We only pay what clubs are willing to sell for, there's no guarantee they'll be a success.

It's like when you go to the airport and you pay £10 for a brew and a sandwich. Are you expecting the best brew and butty you've ever had in your life, will it be a life changing experience? No, you pay what you have to pay because that's the going rate and there's nothing else. Let's stop talking about money spent as if it means we're entitled to anything.

Nope. Never. Airports have and will continue robbing me

 

[Yagami]

I think the fact that the last FA cup final we were in felt like a pre-season game has kind of put me off. In fact the last few FA cup finals have been a bit like that.

To be honest, I've completely wiped that final from my memory, mate!

The final before that one was brilliant, though. Lingard scoring that extra time beauty after Pardew's dance

It's crazy to think since the treble - 21 years ago - we've only won this competition again twice against Millwall and Palace. To me it is, anyway.

 

[RedMilo]

AWB needed a rest just like Bruno and Rashford. His attack play has been much better as the season has gone on and he is a great defender. People have short memories on here. He had a bad day, it happens He also needs a mental break as much as physical like many on the squad.

I disagree. When opposition's attack is bearing down on our defence, AWB is often in bad positions and ball watches, then has to recover his positions, you watch some of the games again and you'll see what I mean.

He is a good tackler but dont mistake this for being an all round good defender, the two are not the same thing. You need to be more than a good tackler. His attack play has generally been poor, as he doesnt get his head up. Nine times out of ten, drills it low accross the box without looking, often not beating the first man. The fact he plays next to weak centre half in Lindelof and behind a young kid who likes to cut in doesnt help him. I reckon Dalot attacking instincts would give us something extra going forward.

 

[noodlehair]

To be honest, I've completely wiped that final from my memory, mate!

The final before that one was brilliant, though. Lingard scoring that extra time beauty after Pardew's dance

It's crazy to think since the treble - 21 years ago - we've only won this competition again twice against Millwall and Palace. To me it is, anyway.

It is a bit weird. Problem is we keep losing finals.

The Palace game was great but honestly I think that was the last FA cup final that actually felt like a proper cup final game. Probably because it was the only thing either team had to give their season any real meaning.

 

[Member 113277]

Meh, I would say they are very average. Not many players in their team would be in our line-up

Average enough to be 2 places above us andcould get 3rd and their squad is deeper in quality than ours - add their new signings in and they'll challenge next year,

 

[Suedesi]

Make no mistake, Ole made a gamble in playing so many starters hoping a win would boost us in the last two league games. It backfired spectacularly (and not solely due to the manager). We got beaten badly and the scars are not only bruised egos but also physical - injury to Bailly and more fatigue accumulated in tired legs.

We have a big question around De Gea, around the LB, and around the CB's. We also need much more intensity from the front 6 (which is hard to do when the foundations at the back are leaky). Stick or twist.

Ok, so we have to win against West Ham who will try to play spoils. I could see them get a result at OT, which would leave us in a precarious position in the next match at King Power.

Honestly I don't trust this team.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

I disagree. When opposition's attack is bearing down on our defence, AWB is often in bad positions and ball watches, then has to recover his positions, you watch some of the games again and you'll see what I mean.

He is a good tackler but dont mistake this for being an all round good defender, the two are not the same thing. You need to be more than a good tackler. His attack play has generally been poor, as he doesnt get his head up. Nine times out of ten, drills it low accross the box without looking, often not beating the first man. The fact he plays next to weak centre half in Lindelof and behind a young kid who likes to cut in doesnt help him. I reckon Dalot attacking instincts would give us something extra going forward.

OK, I will try and look out for this next games I watch.

I do think the attack has improved and his feet are very quick and it will only get better. It was especially good at the beginning of the restart. Agreed, he has work to do,

 

[NewGlory]

Only two matches to go and we haven't secured a top-four finish, and are eliminated from all domestic cups.

There are two types of extreme posters in this forum. The first over-pessimistic type jump at every single opportunity to spread doom and gloom, the second over-defensive type can't stand a single criticism.

It doesn't harm to have a more balanced outlook. There's no reason to be so defensive at the slightest criticism.

You used Chelsea knocking us out of FA Cup as a pretext to declare that City is way ahead of us. But City just got themselves eliminated by weaker Arsenal and they don't even have to save themselves for next rounds of EPL, as opposed to us. So I was just pointing out the lapse in logic is all. No need to put people in stereotypical bins of "pessimists" and "optimists" and paint yourself as the true pragmatist. If anything, your post was unnecessarily pessimistic

 

[Betson]

I feel like I'm the only one still gutted about this result. I really wanted to win the FA Cup

You are not the only one but it feels like we are in the minority around here.

I can't understand that mentality myself , 5 mins after the game people were saying they were not bothered by the result.

If it ever gets that way for me where 5 minutes after losing a cup semi final against a big rival I am not bothered by the result then that is the day I stop following football and Utd as I will know then that my heart is not in it anymore.

 

[KetilOwren88]

Average enough to be 2 places above us andcould get 3rd and their squad is deeper in quality than ours - add their new signings in and they'll challenge next year,

Yes, but we had massive problems with injuries all season, but still we now look likely to finish above them. The only players in their team that would reach our line up now would be Pulisic and an in form Kante, maybe Reece James

 

[acnumber9]

Average enough to be 2 places above us andcould get 3rd and their squad is deeper in quality than ours - add their new signings in and they'll challenge next year,

Two places definitely does make it sound like they’re a lot further ahead than pointing out that is only one point of a difference. Quite deliberate too I imagine.

 

[cyril C]

pretty sure if you ask Pogba was playing in the champions league or winning the Italian cup a better feeling he'd go with the cup. It's not the taking part that counts its the winning. Its a football comp like anything else and being in it to lose isn't something you share with the kids.



1) pretty sure Sancho is coming regardless. Chelsea signed their players before they even qualified for the CL (and still haven't qualified)
3) we can get CL and compete for cups like other teams do every year (Rafa came 3rd, won the FA cup and the Europa in one season)
4) Ole is a Man Utd manager and needs to understand we are a club that collects trophies and not just a CL qualifier. Our rich history is the trophy cabinet, fan base and players. We have the 2nd most FA cups in the country. Its a big part of who we are. Ferguson's 1st trophy was the FA cup.



Indeed. I get the feeling some of these guys would even rest our best players in an FA cup final so they can be fresh for a game the following week to try and secure CL qualification.


well said


why is it that qualifying for the CL and winning cups are mutually exclusive?

come on man. We are one of the top 4 sides. Arsenal are on course to potentially win a trophy. Are they better than us? I don't even think Chelsea are particularly better than us but just showed more ambition on this occasion. They too have been unreliable in qualifying for the CL. They missed it the year they beat us in the FA Cup final in 2018 but still went for the cup, finished 5th but then made it the next year and won the Europa league at the same time.

We can do this too. I just think it wasn't our day and we must always fight for a cup once you get to the Semis. Would you rest your best players in a final, if you are fighting for a CL place?

Forget to ask Pogba that, would you like to win FA but taking a 25% pay-cut, or beat West Ham and qualify for CL.

FA and EPL are not mutually exclusive, but the schedule is. Play your best 11 game after game, does mean something. Unless you expect players like Bruno and Pogba can play 50 games a season, after all we pay them so much wage...

 

[Kostov]

Not that Lindelof, DDG and Maguire covered themselves with glory and do not deserve criticism, but we were loosing this game with or without their mistakes. We were outplayed all over the place, lost every duel, lost every ball and couldn't create shit. Just a bad day in the office unfortunately that can't happen in future semi finals.

 

[Zen86]

You are not the only one but it feels like we are in the minority around here.

I can't understand that mentality myself , 5 mins after the game people were saying they were not bothered by the result.

If it ever gets that way for me where 5 minutes after losing a cup semi final against a big rival I am not bothered by the result then that is the day I stop following football and Utd as I will know then that my heart is not in it anymore.

It’s the sad state of the game really, that 4th place in the league is more important than winning the FA Cup.

Once upon a time we would criticise clubs who deprioritised trophies over league places, funny that we’re doing exactly that now.

 

[Member 113277]

Two places definitely does make it sound like they’re a lot further ahead than pointing out that is only one point of a difference. Quite deliberate too I imagine.

Not really, just stating facts - 3rd v 5th - as the saying goes, read the newspaper ;-). If we'd beaten Soton, we'd be above Chelsea.

 

[Member 113277]

Yes, but we had massive problems with injuries all season, but still we now look likely to finish above them. The only players in their team that would reach our line up now would be Pulisic and an in form Kante, maybe Reece James

The PL doesn't lie - if we finish above them, that will have been a great effort - back end loaded - but as of today it's 3rd v 5th..

If they're players are so inferior, how come they out played us in the SF? Also, look at their 2nd eleven v ours v ours and ask yourself which is the strongest?

I don't understand why Chelsea is so under rated on here, it's a top club that performs consistently well in the PL.

 

[Denis79]

why is it that qualifying for the CL and winning cups are mutually exclusive?

come on man. We are one of the top 4 sides. Arsenal are on course to potentially win a trophy. Are they better than us? I don't even think Chelsea are particularly better than us but just showed more ambition on this occasion. They too have been unreliable in qualifying for the CL. They missed it the year they beat us in the FA Cup final in 2018 but still went for the cup, finished 5th but then made it the next year and won the Europa league at the same time.

We can do this too. I just think it wasn't our day and we must always fight for a cup once you get to the Semis. Would you rest your best players in a final, if you are fighting for a CL place?

We didn't field our best team, wasn't about having a good day or not. We played our strongest 11 with the exception of Matic against Palace and chose to rest players for the FA Cup semis. Being already down 2-0 before subbing on our best players was too late. We simply didn't prioritize the cup, which I disagree with.