[King7Eric]

Nobody is saying any of this. But the current leadership and management of the club reeks of mediocrity. And we'll keep hanging on to other teams sharing our awfulness or little results and runs here and there until we sort it out.

If you've already made up your mind about this 5 games into a season, prior to which we had finished a very creditable 3rd, then there's nothing I can say that will dissuade you.

 

[Red_Aaron]

Fair result in the end.
We had much the better chances but should've conceded a penalty so can't complain too much.

Chelsea played very deep, no doubt carrying the scars from last season when we picked them off and also looking to protect silva. The rain didn't help either and stopped either team from really getting up to speed.

Not surprising to see the reactions in here but in games like this that first hour is fine, we'd not conceded and by that point had completely shut Chelsea down. What was disappointing was that we didn't kick on for the last half hour.

The personnel we subbed on was fine (though it would be nice to get a proper look at donny soon) but the shape didn't work and we spent a lot of time continuously shifting around trying to get set. Would've liked to see rashford closer to cavani, and pogbas delivery would've suited the right side better than Bruno who became anonymous out there

Not terrible overall but perhaps a missed opportunity

 

[dal]

How the hell did we park the bus? Did people watch the game?

They were playing for the draw with 11 players behind the ball.

James does not have what it takes, we clearly missed Martial today, Greenwood as well, you could see that when he was on. And Cavani was too short for today's game.

We did what we could with what we had and even then, we were way better than them and should have won.

We will definitely be way better in the near future.

Finally some sanity.

 

[James Peril]

Contrary to most, I don't think we played that bad. Selection made sense, with the exception of James. But United have lost 2 matches at home in a row, and the flow of the game was never comfortable enough to unleashed everything at Chelsea.

I think Ole goals is to build on the defensive confidence that was shattered against Spurs. I believe we'll see a more adventurous United once the defence established themselves, and we'll see that soon enough

What is this supposed to mean? Same fecking back four as last season, same everything, now they need to estsblish themselves again? Because of a bad loss after going one man down? Jesus, is this what we tolerate now. It really does sound like you’re talking about Southampton or West Ham.

 

[Member 113277]

I posted a while ago that we were not comfortably the third best club in the league and that Chelsea would be stiff competition this season.

What I saw last yesterday evening was a good competitive match, from which Chelsea will emerge happier with the result for earning an away point from a close rival.

The highlight, for me, was that we kept a clean sheet for the first time in the EPL this season, the downside we are still not scoring enough goals. The whole defence played well, including that no hoper LIndeloef, who was MoM IMO..

The media will be saying it's the worst start in 375 years and other hype, in reality we are 3 points away from 5th with a game in hand.

 

[Feed Me]

Every now and then we'll have the odd underdog win like we managed against PSG which is enough it seems for our fans. Any other big club and 7 in 5 games and 15th place would have been unacceptable.

I didn’t get over excited by Newcastle or PSG. United are a false dawn club. I feel no hope at this stage that things will ever get better. Just on a treadmill of mediocrity.

 

[Slysi17]

God I hope Dan James doesn't play for Manchester United again. He was awful and such a limited player. Ricky from the United Stand has this warped view of him being great. Just chuck in Pellistri. Can't be any worse

 

[georgipep]

Mata was great against Newcastle and is creative at least. James really looked the odd man out and highlighted United's lack of quality out wide.

It's worrying for Donny that Ole has suddenly started playing Pogba as a 10.

I think Pogba played a few minutes as the #10 when he was subbed on to get into the game rhythm. Once he got into it, they switched with Bruno and he played next to Fred (well, slightly in front of him) again.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Holy fcuk.i give up when I read this

He was the MOTM.

 

[Feed Me]

I can’t help but escape the feeling that it was a massive missed opportunity. Chelsea were happy to leave with a 0-0 and we did not really look to lay a glove on them. I would be sat here thinking this was a decent point if we didn’t have Arsenal and Everton up next. No way are we getting wins from both of those.

 

[groovyalbert]

Chelsea spent £200m more than us to go from finishing on the same points tally as us 2 months ago, to drawing with us now.

The onus here was not on us, the expectation should all be on Lampard and Chelsea. Given their spending and the form of City and Liverpool, they should be mounting a serious title challenge.

But no, it's Ole in the firing line. Ridiculous.

 

[mitchmouse]

Massively dull as a whole, and, as so often, we weren't creative enough - I've almost given up pointing out that great United sides have great wingers (even if we aren't winning titles); we have none. James has proved himself well below what is needed and no idea why Ole thought i was a good idea to put Bruno out wide - he can't play there and we lose what creativity he brings from midfield (although he had another quiet game).

I can understand not wanting to lose but Chelsea weren't anyway near as good as I expected them to be (I think they will improve soon) so I see this as a chance missed. We seem really frightened to go forward in numbers and the only plus was the defence had really good games throughout - I don't think DDG had a serious save to make; I can only remember one dribbler that was right at him.

Over all, we are still miles from the level of City or Liverpool (and at the moment lots of others such as Everton). It was a chance missed and simply isn't good enough. That said Mendy made a couple of decent saves and Silva was probably the man of the match.

Couple of flashes from Cavani were nice to see but I don't see him having the same effect as Zlatan. Lindelof was probably United's best player for me.

Finally, I don't understand spending £40m on a player and pretty much forgetting you did... I understand Ole likes to have Fred and Scotty in but don't tell me Donny isn't better than James, or possibly Pogba right now. I know he's not a winger but if you've brought him in and not using him, you give the useless board an excuse not to back you

 

[fergieisold]

We were the better side. I don't understand the negativity, it's a decent result against one of our rivals for the top 4. We could have easily won the game on another day.

Would people swap our team, position for Chelsea's? No chance for me.

 

[Sarni]

I thought we were fine. If we pulled off a win in the end which was well possible with Rashford’s shot it would have been considered a good game that we controlled for the most of it, not too dissimilar to the praised performance against PSG midweek. Chelsea had most of the ball in the opening 30 minutes but hardly created anything for the entire game.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

What I don’t get is this: if Ole wants to show Chelsea respect and go defensive, why didn’t he just do the exact same 5-3-2 lineup that worked so well against PSG? Or if he wanted to play 4 at the back, just start the team that finished the game at PSG. He doesn’t need to re-invent the wheel every game. Use what works and build on it.

Think we played that formation in the semi when they beat us, so he just reverted back to flat back 4.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We were the better side. I don't understand the negativity, it's a decent result against one of our rivals for the top 4. We could have easily won the game on another day.

Would people swap our team, position for Chelsea's? No chance for me.

I would rather we were in 6th than 15th. Think the main thing people are taking is that Chelsea have improved their defence, their attack was not bothered that much about attacking and Daniel James should not have played.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Massively dull as a whole, and, as so often, we weren't creative enough - I've almost given up pointing out that great United sides have great wingers (even if we aren't winning titles); we have none. James has proved himself well below what is needed and no idea why Ole thought i was a good idea to put Bruno out wide - he can't play there and we lose what creativity he brings from midfield (although he had another quiet game).

I can understand not wanting to lose but Chelsea weren't anyway near as good as I expected them to be (I think they will improve soon) so I see this as a chance missed. We seem really frightened to go forward in numbers and the only plus was the defence had really good games throughout - I don't think DDG had a serious save to make; I can only remember one dribbler that was right at him.

Over all, we are still miles from the level of City or Liverpool (and at the moment lots of others such as Everton). It was a chance missed and simply isn't good enough. That said Mendy made a couple of decent saves and Silva was probably the man of the match.

Couple of flashes from Cavani were nice to see but I don't see him having the same effect as Zlatan. Lindelof was probably United's best player for me.

Finally, I don't understand spending £40m on a player and pretty much forgetting you did... I understand Ole likes to have Fred and Scotty in but don't tell me Donny isn't better than James, or possibly Pogba right now. I know he's not a winger but if you've brought him in and not using him, you give the useless board an excuse not to back you

Think if Telles had been in that side then we might have won with a Cavani goal. If he doesn't come in quick he will be feeding off scraps.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I thought we were fine. If we pulled off a win in the end which was well possible with Rashford’s shot it would have been considered a good game that we controlled for the most of it, not too dissimilar to the praised performance against PSG midweek. Chelsea had most of the ball in the opening 30 minutes but hardly created anything for the entire game.

We could have won, but it will be Chelsea who are happier. They got beaten in most games by us last season bar the semi final. They now have an experienced CB in there and a competent goalkeeper. Funny thing is Linelof winning MOTM, he defended well, but what impressed me most was he was one of our best attacking options.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Starting James cost us the win. We really should be playing a diamond with Pogba and Bruno on pitch and two strikers.

If we had started Pogba and paired Rashford with Mata upfront we will have we would have bested Chelsea.

I was super happy with the clean sheet. Plus the fact we stopped the rota at home

 

[Red00012]

God I hope Dan James doesn't play for Manchester United again. He was awful and such a limited player. Ricky from the United Stand has this warped view of him being great. Just chuck in Pellistri. Can't be any worse

We don’t even need to be chucking in Pellestri who by the way isn’t ready for the set up. He could have started one of Pogba , Greenwood or Van De Beek inside of him.

 

[Zen86]

We looked solid at the back, which is a big improvement on the first few games of the season, and we largely controlled the game. It’s a shame we didn’t score but I don’t know how people can whinge so much, Chelsea are a decent side.

 

[Coops73]

2 teams that cancelled each other out

I thought we were the slightly better team and Lindelof was my MOTM,

Cavani offered something different and I can see him being really useful this season once his match fitness gets up to speed.

feck knows why James is getting on ahead DVB or even why Pogba is coming on before him, it’s just weird.

All in all a fairly dull game but I’m not too disappointed with the result I’m more disappointed with Dan James starting games ahead of someone like Beek.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Even with both teams tough midweek CL games, I'd thought the game would be abit more adventurous.

Dont like the fact both teams seem content with a point each especially with the PL being as open as it is right now. Do either team have PL ambitions here ?

 

[Litch]

Wasn't a disaster but an example why neither team will win the prem. Both thinking more about not losing than winning and the pressure to stay in the job is greater than taking the risk. Both teams were there for the taking and Frank made very good players look ordinary where Ole kept is very good players on the bench. The irony is both approaches will probably get both sacked anyway.

 

[big rons sovereign]

Apparently it's all Dan James' fault.

 

[Bestietom]

Why did we buy VdB. You can see it in his face sitting in the stand, that he's not happy.
In fact who really brought in these players this season. I don't think it was Ole.

 

[G-manc]

If we'd started the game in the top 4, a point wouldn't seem so bad but it feels a bit like an opportunity missed with Chelsea being so unambitious in their set up.

 

[reelworld]

What is this supposed to mean? Same fecking back four as last season, same everything, now they need to estsblish themselves again? Because of a bad loss after going one man down? Jesus, is this what we tolerate now. It really does sound like you’re talking about Southampton or West Ham.

United was conceding goals left right center on their first 3 matches. The first two was at home. Last time at home they gave up 6 goals. But this is the same back five who was the third best defensive unit last season. IMO the mentality wasnt there. Ole needs to built the back 4 confidence again. We did a sterling job towards that at Newcastle and Paris. Now we need to do it at home. I thought there's some quality improvement defensively. Which in turn would help confidence in United attack as well

 

[arnie_ni]

We drew far to many games last season.

This team is good enough to push for a win in all games that are a draw with about 30 mins left and come out on top more often than not.

I just didnt think he went for the win early enough. To scared to lose.

 

[fps]

The reason the VdB thing is so odd, as the Fred thing was tbh, where they just don’t play, is they haven’t been signed to acclimatise to a mediocre midfield - they’ve been signed to IMPROVE it. So let him get on the pitch and start doing his thing.

A point against Chelsea is fine as a result.

 

[fergieisold]

I would rather we were in 6th than 15th. Think the main thing people are taking is that Chelsea have improved their defence, their attack was not bothered that much about attacking and Daniel James should not have played.

James was awful, I'm not even sure he's premiership quality!

 

[FatherWolff]

United was conceding goals left right center on their first 3 matches. The first two was at home. Last time at home they gave up 6 goals. But this is the same back five who was the third best defensive unit last season. IMO the mentality wasnt there. Ole needs to built the back 4 confidence again. We did a sterling job towards that at Newcastle and Paris. Now we need to do it at home. I thought there's some quality improvement defensively. Which in turn would help confidence in United attack as well

Good post! If people want us to be consistent, this is so important. Very good game from Maguire, leaving out the penalty incident.
Looks promising when our front line is back fit and ready. Also liked the movement of Cavani.

 

[Tom Cato]

We are in 15th place right now. Heck how on earth can Manchester United go and defend like that at OT against a Chelsea team and a manager like Lampard?
There are people who think that a point against chelsea is a good result. This is a terrible Chelsea side with a rookie manager. It's scandalous.

This is like saying not winning every PL game is scandalous. A+ post.

 

[Mount's Goatieson]

We set up exactly the way about 70% of the United fans with lineup predictions in the match day thread wanted Ole to setup. 3 at the back, remain compact and hit our shit defence on the counter. You guys wanted him to setup exactly like he did against PSG, that was a masterclass but Lampard doing so was cowardice? Surely wouldn't it have be rather naïve of Lampard to setup the exact way that got him beaten 3 times in a row against the same opposition last season? Every body knows United's strength lies in counter attack.
Both teams went into the game to not loose first and got exactly what the game deserved, a bore draw. From our perspective, I'd rather play shit and get a draw at OT than play well and get beat 4-0 so there is that.

 

[AaronRedDevil]

It was a fair result. But united were the better team. Chelsea should have had a pen and Rashford should have scored one of his two chances. If only kepa was playing. Mendy did brilliant.

 

[PoTMS]

This is like saying not winning every PL game is scandalous. A+ post.

Well no it isn't but carry on having rock bottom standards.

 

[Okey]

By the way, what's the buzz about Ben Chilwell? I don't think he was any better than Luke Shaw yesterday, and poor Luke is quite the bash target on here. If Ben plays for England, so should Luke!

 

[RedorDead21]

James was awful, I'm not even sure he's premiership quality!

He’s the evidence of a poor transfer window and a failure to address what we all knew (and the club knew) was our prime weakness. If you look at our starting 11 our creative forces are pretty obvious at the moment and we simply need more quality in the starting 11. Kudos our bench certainly has more quality than last season but we needed a right winger for the first team. We opted to go for youth when Sancho didn’t work out. So we opted to wait this season out effectively due to their youth and/or not being here until jan. This is what our current form and league position hints at. No cowardice and no rocket science here. Just simply strategy and obvious fan (including me) impatience.

 

[El Zoido]

I really don’t see any concern, we were the better team against a Chelsea side that cost a fortune, who everyone was shitting themselves over before the season began. It was a messy game, in the rain, slick pitch, and not ideal conditions. It really felt like both teams just wanted this one out of the way, and it’s hard to infer too much form it. But we should have won the game really, and we didn’t even have our starting centre forward available.

It’s bizarre how Dan James is being used as a stick to beat Ole with though. Really his selection was absolutely fine, he’s been here a year, and now we’re at the start of a new season and he’s got another chance to show his worth. It doesn’t matter how much he played last year, fresh season and fresh start. If you think Ole is going to keep playing him in important games then you’re dead wrong, if you think Ole can’t see that he’s not performing then you’re wrong on that count too. Even if for selfish reasons, Ole isn’t going to sabotage his own job to give James chances. This whole debate is so ridiculous. James is not going to be a consideration in any big game, he won’t start, he won’t come on, and probably won’t even make the bench. The “iTs bAd coAcHiNg!1” crowd are being especially moronic over this one. It’s super tiresome to see continual broad stroke conclusions about the overall state of the club after every single game.

 

[Judas]

Said it yesterday I'll say it again in this thread, the celebrating and gushing over how strong our bench was yesterday was silly, because its not like the starting 11 was good enough to get the job done. No point having a bench that strong and starting with a teams obviously not good enough.

One thing is for sure if we start with this lineup again against Arsenal the meltdown will rightfully be huge.