[Borys]

I hate playing against Pep. Absolutely hate it. It's a trauma back from Barca days.

His teams at the top of their game will just pass the ball around your players which are trying to press. It frustrates opposition and they never get into the rhythm.

 

[Berbasbullet]

Seriously, I'm rubbish at this memory stuff.

Didn’t you do the same thing with this game?

 

[2 man midfield]

Gash

 

[Al-T]

Uninspired. Need some sort if footballing viagra to get Ole past a semi.

 

[Berbasbullet]

I hate playing against Pep. Absolutely hate it. It's a trauma back from Barca days.

His teams at the top of their game will just pass the ball around your players which are trying to press. It frustrates opposition and they never get into the rhythm.

This! I was excited for this game but it took 10 mins for me to realise that I hate these matches. They always play well against us, and just bore you into submission, to the stage where teams must feel so frustrated and end up being by wasteful with the ball when they finally get hold of it.

 

[Anybody's Guess]

Losing semi finals is becoming our thing now. First real hurdle and we are out.

Ole still just sits on his arse most of the game. I guess no changes or adjustments were really needed during the game.

As Martial has received and continues to get stick for his poor performance(s), it has to be said that Rashford has been just as poor over the recent games. Just as well he has a hefty amount of goodwill at the moment.

Imagine the amount of posts hammering DDG if he had been in goal for their second (probably first as well). Henderson has been nothing special in the games he has filled in for De Gea. Same weaknesses and very poor with his feet.

Maguire's ability to head the ball is criminally poor. It's one of those things which you simply can't explain. You just watch on in disbelief.

Only positive from tonight was Shaw showing some fight when he let that twerp cancelo know what a cnut he is. Did not even bang his head into him (Fred take note).

As we are never winning the league with Ole, this was the opportunity to get some much needed silverware for this group of players. Let's hope it isn't becoming more of a mental block than it already is.

 

[United492]

Ole in the post-match seems to think we’re getting closer to City compared to this time last year, which I cannot understand. We beat them well in the second leg last January and dominated at home in the league soon after. Since then, we’ve fallen off a cliff in the big domestic games.

The schedule after Project Restart last season and at the beginning of this season has been really kind. We are we are and did what we did in the league at the end of last season, because we have not had to go anywhere. Every time we play a big domestic rival currently we cannot score. The second half of this season could be fecking brutal if we don’t sort it out.

Frustrating thing about the interview after the match was that Ole said we were lacking finesse etc - interviewer should have asked him why he didn't make earlier substitutions to try and add some finesse and impact the game.

We're severely lacking movement in and around the box at times when the fullbacks get level with the opposition 18 yard box, it then goes wide to AWB who puts in a cross, and unless Cavani is playing, there's noone attacking the ball. Got to give VdB more of a chance.

 

[Volumiza]

Gash

Is it too early to vote for most pointless post of the year?

 

[Random Task]

Didn’t you do the same thing with this game?

Can't remember.

Probably.

 

[wolvored]

Bruno had the only shot on goal from either team that drew a good save, Maguire 2 headers from corners, and that ball over the top that Rashford didn't control (looked marginally offside though?) spring to mind.

Also that ridiculous upper arm clearance from Stones was great.

Didnt Henderson have to pull off a couple of good saves as well?

 

[RedDevil@84]

Well ,so much for the hope. Pep did well to get his players to play this boring game. Yes, we did not want to take too much possession, but we took too low I guess. There were once again individual mistakes, which all shouldn't really be happening.
We need to make sure our momentum in league is not affected with this. We need to keep winning things. Hope we can do well against Burnley. It will be a tough game with all their defending.

Overall, there is a lot of progress that needs to be done. These kind of setbacks is expected of this team.

 

[shazzmufc]

I feel like that is a good example of what Baily brings to the table instead of Vic. No way Baily lets the ball run past him for the first goal.

Was thinking exactly this.

Similarly, there is no way Bailly would stand off De Bruyne and allow him to have a free shot at goal (when he hit the post in the first half).

Even if Bailly isn't the long-term answer (given his injury record) maybe what we're actually missing is that level of aggression at the back.

 

[Pjisared]

It’s not a bad patch and the regular excuses, carrying an injury, tired etc, just don’t cut it.
The past good performances were infrequent and only in spells to be honest.
At the end of the day, Utd fans need to take off the blinkers and start to realise that he might not be good enough.

Couldnt agree more his last three games he has been poor, far too often offside when in a great position, his ball distribution has been shocking, the problem is he has become the media darling and can't put a foot wrong. ......This is a purely football opinion and has nothing to do with is off pitch heroics.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Need to stop playing Pogba as winger as well. We need a proper speedy winger in there whos not Dan James.

 

[The Oracle]

They were the better side, mate, no point in denying it. Bruno had an off-day, Pogba had a Pogba day, Mctominay was awful, Rashford and Martial were poor, etc etc.

The bright side is now we get to see how this side reacts to a bad result. Often they're accused of being mentally weak, but Ole assures us his side has matured over recent months and now possess a winning mentality.

We'll find out how true that is against Burnley this weekend.

This is the most disheartening thing about tonight. It's the Semi-Final of a domestic competition, and you're playing on your own turf...

How can it be that so many players - approx. half the team, were abysmal?

Roy Keane summed it up perfectly at full-time, when he said that your best players turn up on the big occasions.

Who honestly turned up for Utd tonight, well none of our best players did anyway.

 

[city-puma]

Is it diamond again with Rashford on right wing?

 

[RashyForPM]

Not too fussed about tonight as it’s the Carabao Cup. Just miffed that we lost. I’ll be enjoying the Watford game with a similar mindset too. It’s how I always feel about the domestic cups until we get to the final (I love the Europa though). The real stuff resumes with Burnley away on Tuesday and then the biggest game at Anfield since I can remember. Now, those are some must-wins, as is every PL game for the rest of the season.

At the same time though, I am concerned that we wilt when under a modicum of pressure in one-off games where we can actually achieve something, like qualify from a group or get to a final. This is the 5th time in 6 months, which just makes us look like losers. I don’t think this group of players are mentally strong enough to have that tag tbh. We can’t win in one-off games without it anyway. Ole was a winner as a player, and he has to instil that mentality into the lads right now. Otherwise, we’ll get nowhere. Also, why do our players all play well in particular games and all play badly in others? Sounds innocuous but look at Pool and City circa 2017-2020. Their players carried each other when needed.

 

[meamth]

Ole vs Pep.

Played 7.

Won 3.
Drawn 1.
Lost 3.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ole-gunnar-solskjaer/bilanztrainer/trainer/7286/plus/1

My only question to him...

Then how the feck top managers lost to PE teacher 3 times? Surely if the standards are so high...how can you accept that then?

 

[RepardReece]

Outclassed today, City were just the better team. Few points to take away from this game:

• Ole really needs to improve and act quicker during games; his game management is dreadful.
• Dias was quality and looks like City have finally found a good replacement for Kompany; these past few games it seems like they're kickstarting their season.
• Bruno needs a rest desperately, worst player today for us. Wasteful, unfortunately.
• We aren't picking up as many points/wins against the 'Big 6' this season compared to last; they've figured out how to play against us, Ole needs to change it up.
• Rashford and Martial are too slow to react, and never seem ready - Their work rate is sub-par.
• Maguire is a solid defender but switches off too often
• What's with Ole and semi-final exits?

Not too fussed to be honest. Wish we just gave VDB/Greenwood/Tuazebe a run instead.

 

[Knux]

+ Henderson, Pogba
- Maguire, Martial, Bruno, Fred, Shaw

In that order.

 

[M15 Red.]

They made paste of us. It was hummus squares vs sriracha triangles for 90 mins. Banh Mi if they beat Mourinho in the final.

 

[Hugh Jass]

Not too fussed about tonight as it’s the Carabao Cup. Just miffed that we lost. I’ll be enjoying the Watford game with a similar mindset too. It’s how I always feel about the domestic cups until we get to the final (I love the Europa though). The real stuff resumes with Burnley away on Tuesday and then the biggest game at Anfield since I can remember. Now, those are some must-wins, as is every PL game for the rest of the season.

At the same time though, I am concerned that we wilt when under a modicum of pressure in one-off games where we can actually achieve something, like qualify from a group or get to a final. This is the 5th time in 6 months, which just makes us look like losers. I don’t think this group of players are mentally strong enough to have that tag tbh. We can’t win in one-off games without it anyway. Ole was a winner as a player, and he has to instil that mentality into the lads right now. Otherwise, we’ll get nowhere. Also, why do our players all play well in particular games and all play badly in others? Sounds innocuous but look at Pool and City circa 2017-2020. Their players carried each other when needed.

This is the worry for me. Can we do it when the pressure is on? The top teams can.

 

[VivaRonaldo85]

Pep schooled Ole tonight. They were set up to do a job and dominated the game. I can recall two shots on target from United all game both from distance. That’s woeful at home in a semi final.

We lack winners in this squad which is a major issue. Maybe Fletcher can get something into their mindsets but he’s got his work cut out.

Burnley will be fascinating now to see if these players have any backbone after that set back tonight.

Shout out for Donny getting 3 minutes at 2-0 down and Mata for not getting on at all.

 

[Slevs]

Fell asleep during half time and woke up after the final whistle, how did we play in the second half?

 

[croadyman]

Beaten by goals from CB and DM.

Ironically two of the three positions we most need to address this summer, just needed a goal from their RW to really round it off for them

 

[Fluctuation0161]

Outclassed today, City were just the better team. Few points to take away from this game:

• Ole really needs to improve and act quicker during games; his game management is dreadful.
• Dias was quality and looks like City have finally found a good replacement for Kompany; these past few games it seems like they're kickstarting their season.
• Bruno needs a rest desperately, worst player today for us. Wasteful, unfortunately.
• We aren't picking up as many points/wins against the 'Big 6' this season compared to last; they've figured out how to play against us, Ole needs to change it up.
• Rashford and Martial are too slow to react, and never seem ready - Their work rate is sub-par.
• Maguire is a solid defender but switches off too often
• What's with Ole and semi-final exits?

Not too fussed to be honest. Wish we just gave VDB/Greenwood/Tuazebe a run instead.

I tend to agree with all of that. Except Rashford for me was good at times. Martial was sub par.

Regarding Ole's in game decisions, will he develop that skill in time? Is he reviewing his own performances? I wonder what the rationale is for not making tactical changes, especially today when Pep mixed it up.

 

[The Hilton]

They were the better side, mate, no point in denying it. Bruno had an off-day, Pogba had a Pogba day, Mctominay was awful, Rashford and Martial were poor, etc etc.

The bright side is now we get to see how this side reacts to a bad result. Often they're accused of being mentally weak, but Ole assures us his side has matured over recent months and now possess a winning mentality.

We'll find out how true that is against Burnley this weekend.

I don't agree that they were better - it was incredibly marginal - attacking wise they had 1 more attempt, 2 more touches in the opposition box. You're right about our forwards though, they were very wasteful.

 

[2 man midfield]

Is it too early to vote for most pointless post of the year?

Yeah

 

[Buffalo Bills]

Ole shat himself tonight.....you don't win anything with skids

 

[jonnya]

Let us be honest none of our strikers put fear into the other team, both are extremely talented, but neither can lead the line. We need to educate Marcus Rashford what offside is, His runs are far too straight, Anthony cannot play with his back to the goal he is always standing still when he receives the ball.

 

[croadyman]

Need to stop playing Pogba as winger as well. We need a proper speedy winger in there whos not Dan James.

Should give Diallo a chance once he has had a couple of training sessions, at the end of the day he can't do any worse than our current wide options

 

[Silverman]

Disappointing result but put it behind us and move on. We have bigger fish to fry.

 

[Crustanoid]

We need to heavily rotate against Watford now. This is a setback but not detrimental to our league chances if we manage the squad properly.

 

[Lentwood]

One good team met another good team and the team who are more experienced and have been serial winners came through. Simple as that really.

On top of that Bruno had his worst game in a Utd shirt which didn't help matters!

 

[Hammondo]

This! I was excited for this game but it took 10 mins for me to realise that I hate these matches. They always play well against us, and just bore you into submission, to the stage where teams must feel so frustrated and end up being by wasteful with the ball when they finally get hold of it.

They really didn't play well, in fact their attacking players played poorly.

 

[RepardReece]

I tend to agree with all of that. Except Rashford for me was good at times. Martial was sub par.

Regarding Ole's in game decisions, will he develop that skill in time? Is he reviewing his own performances? I wonder what the rationale is for not making tactical changes, especially today when Pep mixed it up.

Perhaps I was on my phone or making a brew when he was doing something? He makes some good runs but all seem to be too early or too late, caught offside too often - and off the ball he always looks like he can't be bothered - or is that just me seeing that?

I hope Ole will, something that has really let us down this season. That being said, we do look to be improving in general, but I don't think we're good enough to win the title this season (Happy to be proven wrong).

City just the better and more experienced team tonight regardless

 

[united for life]

Should give Diallo a chance once he has had a couple of training sessions, at the end of the day he can't do any worse than our current wide options

felt greenwood should’ve been introduced earlier. He hasn’t has a good season so far (mainly for reasons we all know by now) but with him I feel we have a better chance of scoring. He is a player that is always looking to take a shot on goal. His decision making needs improvement and that comes with maturity, but what is important is that we should not forget that we have a very promising player in mason

 

[crossy1686]

We don't have the quality in our team to mix it with a top 2 side who really want to win. This team's ceiling is a semi final.

A back line containing Rio and Vidic don't concede those set pieces and a forward like Rooney makes the difference today.

We won't get far with Martial playing CF or Maguire, Shaw and Lindelof/Bailly playing in defence.

 

[Ludens the Red]

Don’t want to be too critical of the team because we’ve been in good form and weren’t awful today. Did okay first half.
But today summed up all the main concerns a lot of people have about this team that still keep rearing it’s ugly head.

- Inability to win decisive games
- Inability to win and score in big games post lockdown
- Defensive issues from set pieces
- Game management/Subs

It’s kind of getting rinse repeat now, over and over again, the same thing. Frustrating.

 

[Judas]

We need world class improvements up top and at the back. Do that, we'll see a difference in these sort of games.