[Wing Attack Plan R]

How in hell was that not a foul on Bruno?

 

[RedStarUnited]

We had 3 corners today where within 3 touches, the ball was back with De Gea. 2 of those happened back to back within a minute of each other. I swear we do this more than any other team. It's nearly always Wan Bissaka too. He doesn't even look to assess who he could play the ball forward to whilst we've got them pegged back. He just turns under no pressure and drills it towards our own goal. Grim stuff.

I thought this today too, He always goes back and resets the whole advantage of a corner.

 

[redmanx]

That’s madness.

Why? Because Pop Gladioli says we have to play his "tikki takki" style? If youve got the right players all playing as a team then you dont need 5311, 352, 541, or any other combination, just play good football.

 

[croadyman]

As I've said before, we can spend all the money in the world but unless we learn to control games and open teams up through high quality possesion play, we won't win major honors. Under the current managerial regime we've never looked like doing that. Too reliant on pace, counters and moments of magic here and there.

Absolutely nailed it and sorry don't buy into our fans who say that should have been a foul in the buildup to their goal. The players know that referees are going to let the game flow more this season

 

[Beans]

Why? Because Pop Gladioli says we have to play his "tikki takki" style? If youve got the right players all playing as a team then you dont need 5311, 352, 541, or any other combination, just play good football.

Didn't you ever see England trying to play Gerrard and Lampard, two attacking midfielders, in a central midfield 2? It didn't lead to incredible attacking play.

Some players can excel in multiple positions, but playing people out of position is risky and rarely seems to work.

You won't find many people who want to see Bruno and Pogba in a midfield 2.

 

[smi11ie]

Utd haven't changed that much from the last couple of seasons. They start really well although fail to score early. They give the ball away just outside their own box and the opposition rush them and score against the run of play. This has happened so many times to this Utd side. Second half was poor but I thought Southampton got away with alot.

Utd would benifit from a defensive midfielder. Someone who keeps it neat and tidy and gets the ball away from the danger zone. There are far too many risky passes and dithering in that area just infront of their own box.

 

[simonhch]

So tell me then what sample size the manager has given for VDB to be fairly judged by our supporters? I can tell you that there was a fairly large sample size before he came to United that made him a highly sought commodity, and sadly for VDB, a move to Madrid failed to materialize. He can’t be blamed if the manager is clueless on how to use him. There is a potentially world class player being left on the bench who is not being given a fair shake despite the inferior lack of options ahead of him. This is indictment on Ole and our coaches for their failure to get the best out of him.

He simply hasn’t performed well at all yet. Doesn’t mean he won’t. But the idea the manager should’ve played him instead of Fred or Matic because that’s so obvious is a complete fallacy. It’s classic armchair hindsight fan management.

 

[Inception]

Ole still shows his incompetence from last year. I hope he does improve this. His in game management is appauling. Pogba never starts in midfield, but somehow when we are going for the win, he takes out our best attacking outlet for Jesse Lingard who had covid and train 1 week ago. Donny should just put in a transfer request, cause this game was calling out for him.

I also don’t know why we didn’t start Varane or Sancho, if you want to integrate these players, you need to play them. Chelsea played Lukaku even though he just signed for them.

Ole decisions are appalling, he doesn’t have that ruthlessness that i would like from a manager. But i hope he proves me wrong.

 

[Inception]

He simply hasn’t performed well at all yet. Doesn’t mean he won’t. But the idea the manager should’ve played him instead of Fred or Matic because that’s so obvious is a complete fallacy. It’s classic armchair hindsight fan management.

The midfield did not work at all in the first half, Fred was shocking. Why didn’t we atleast tried Donny and Matic who seems to click in pre-season. He eventually brought on MCT who he says was carrying an injury.

 

[Giggsy13]

He simply hasn’t performed well at all yet. Doesn’t mean he won’t. But the idea the manager should’ve played him instead of Fred or Matic because that’s so obvious is a complete fallacy. It’s classic armchair hindsight fan management.

I’m sorry other than the elitist “you’re just an armchair supporter” do you have anything to come back with? Ole hasn’t given VDB a fair chance, so how can anyone state that he would not have been a better option than Matic. All I can tell you is that the time Matic’s powers were waning, VDB was helping lead a young and exciting Ajax side to a whisker of the champions league final and was highly regarded amongst the big clubs in Europe. He’s done more to warrant an opportunity and patience than Matic based on his potential alone. This isn’t post match revisionism, it’s common sense.

 

[croadyman]

I’m sorry other than the elitist “you’re just an armchair supporter” do you have anything to come back with? Ole hasn’t given VDB a fair chance, so how can anyone state that he would not have been a better option than Matic. All I can tell you is that the time Matic’s powers were waning, VDB was helping lead a young and exciting Ajax side to a whisker of the champions league final and was highly regarded amongst the big clubs in Europe. He’s done more to warrant an opportunity and patience than Matic based on his potential alone. This isn’t post match revisionism, it’s common sense.

Yeah too true but Ole clearly has a personal problem with him

 

[Kopral Jono]

Fred, Wan Bissaka and Maguire were poor but overall I thought we did enough to win last night and on another day we probably would have. Most disappointing was how we didn't push on after we equalised, however.

 

[Ali Dia]

Fred, Wan Bissaka and Maguire were poor but overall I thought we did enough to win last night and on another day we probably would have. Most disappointing was how we didn't push on after we equalised, however.

Once the subs came on our momentum fell apart. We will definitely improve. It’s a shite performance against a team that will get battered by our rivals but maybe it’s just the wake up call Ole needs about trusting some of these squad players from the start of games. All will be forgiven the next long run we go on. We defended the set pieces quite well. If I never see Matic line up for us again it’ll be too soon though. Seems like a good guy but he’s not even good enough to be a backup and to be honest he wasn’t last season either, barely the season before. I think we will get a fresh controller in for midfield before the window closes. Neves would be my guess.

 

[Kopral Jono]

Once the subs came on our momentum fell apart. We will definitely improve. It’s a shite performance against a team that will get battered by our rivals but maybe it’s just the wake up call Ole needs about trusting some of these squad players from the start of games. All will be forgiven the next long run we go on. We defended the set pieces quite well. If I never see Matic line up for us again it’ll be too soon though. Seems like a good guy but he’s not even good enough to be a backup and to be honest he wasn’t last season either, barely the season before. I think we will get a fresh controller in for midfield before the window closes. Neves would be my guess.

I agree with everything you said. And yes, a controller in midfield is not only a want at this point, but an imperative need.

 

[NewGlory]

Am I the only one who thought that Fred had a really good game ?

Stop smoking whatever you are smoking. Not healthy.

 

[pratyush_utd]

Great First Half and then after the goal in second half, we gave up. Could be fitness issue but there was some appalling football from usually consistent players like Shaw and Maguire. We struggled to play out from the back and it showed in our attack. Probably the worst 30 min away in a long time under Ole.

Few Positive were that we created a lot of chances in first half and with little luck we could have been 2-3 goals up. Cavani back next game is essential.

Matic is finished at this level or atleast he cant play away where we we get pressed and the grounds are smaller. He usually delays the pass and then plays hospital pass which put us in danger. Fred had a poor game but we just stopped playing once he was substituted. Says a lot about Matic.

2 points drop at this stage is not that bad but we have to be careful in next few game to not make this a pattern.

 

[simonhch]

I’m sorry other than the elitist “you’re just an armchair supporter” do you have anything to come back with? Ole hasn’t given VDB a fair chance, so how can anyone state that he would not have been a better option than Matic. All I can tell you is that the time Matic’s powers were waning, VDB was helping lead a young and exciting Ajax side to a whisker of the champions league final and was highly regarded amongst the big clubs in Europe. He’s done more to warrant an opportunity and patience than Matic based on his potential alone. This isn’t post match revisionism, it’s common sense.

no i don’t have anything to come back with because I made my point initially and that’s not changed. The conversation feels like it’s run it’s course to me. I respect your opinion, I just have a different one.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Both halves followed a similar pattern. Dominate the first half hour and then reliquish control to STH eventually looking all over the place and unable to build attacks. And that's our problem really. We don't really have excellence in how we build attacks from deeper areas. You see Chelsea, Liverpool and City and moving the ball from defence to attack is second nature for them, it's seamless and effortless, whether they then create chances, score goals or win the match is a different matter. But there isn't a roadblock to moving the ball forward fluidly. We on the other hand, often go to pieces in our buildup play which is why there's so much debate about patterns of play, McFred etc Nobody is saying that great teams can't draw such games. But we have a persistent problem that we don't appear to be capable of fixing. Until that happens we will continue to oscillate in the quality of our football.

 

[TheRedHearted]

Why did Ole rotate? Does anyone think it was cause of match fitness and he wanted to ease other parts of the team on or what is it exactly- the team against Leeds played just fine and I guess he knew Southampton wouldn't have been an open game like Leeds but still, he used the same shape didn't he? If Jesse got the start over Matic would it have been enough? I haven't watched the match and got so many questions.

 

[Dargonk]

Not to best performance, but the most frustrating thing is that even in the last ten minutes there doesn't seem to even be an urgency to go out and win the game. We seemed to just accept that a draw was enough...

 

[DJ_21]

Should of easily won this, can’t wait for cavani to be back, martial is useless, there was a cross right in front of the keeper that mctominay did and no one ran into the space, cavani definitely would of been there. Can’t afford to drop any more points, still early days and either Chelsea or Liverpool are dropping points next weekend. If we play like that against wolves we’ll get hammered, there creating a lot of chances, they battered both Leicester and spurs but was unlucky to not get anything out of the games.

 

[dal]

We ain’t fit yet which is highly annoying.

We should be getting there come our fourth game.

 

[reelworld]

My only hope is that once we played with Maguire-Varane, the backline is solid enough without needing both McFred to play together.
I fecking hope this is the plan

 

[HailtotheKing]

So your sample size is a meaningless game against Wolves at the end of the season - in a scratch side - and a preseason friendly. Honestly, I don’t even think it’s worth the time necessary to refute that point.

No he’s played well in other games too. Where he’s not played well is when he’s given literally 5 or 10 minutes at the end of the game when all the best players have been taken off and when he’s not even had a consistent run of games. Fact is even when he was playing well, the second Fred or mctominay were fit, he was replaced. Then he lost confidence and form. When he has been given a full game it’s usually when he’s surrounded by the reserves. Stick him in the first team surrounded by quality players and give him a run of five or six games then let’s see how he does. He certainly couldn’t have done worse than our midfield today. And based on his resistance to the press, he’d probably have done a lot better.

 

[vanrooney]

should have been a foul. nevertheless we were not that good, but such games happen at the beginning of the season. only hope we can up our game soon enough and play constantly on a better level. maybe an additional midfielder would give us a new dimension.

 

[Desert Eagle]

My only hope is that once we played with Maguire-Varane, the backline is solid enough without needing both McFred to play together.
I fecking hope this is the plan

No chance. Mcfred will be our starting midfield in 90% of games this season barring injury to one of them.

 

[Desert Eagle]

After a bit of time to reflect here are my takeaways from the game:

1. De Gea made a very important save but still looks a bit shaky

2. AWB is an issue. On his day he can be very good but his touch and game sense are lacking. He's kinda like a right back version of Smalling.

3. Shaw, Bruno and Maguire had off days but more forgivable since they are usually quite consistent.

4. Ole made a good early sub then fecked up with his other changes and failed to read the momentum shifts in the game and try to turn the tide.

5. Greenwood and Pogba are so fun to watch and our crown jewels right now

6. Sancho needs time to build patterns with his team mates, especially Bruno, Pogba and the fullbacks. Still looks quality though and really appreciate his hustling.

7. It's one draw, not the end of the world. We were always going to draw a game or two in the first 7 games. With Liverpool vs Chelsea next week though, can't afford to drop points against Wolves.

8. We looked tired and nonplussed for the last 20 plus minutes. Barely created a chance and were very slow in our passing. That was discouraging.

9. Matic is done. If you cant run doesn't matter how good you are. See Gary Neville, Blanc and countless other examples. Only exceptions are football geniuses like scholes

10. I think this game and the first show that cdm was more important than cb. However let's see if Varane makes a difference to our midfield play and Ole's set up.

 

[reelworld]

No chance. Mcfred will be our starting midfield in 90% of games this season barring injury to one of them.

If McFred still start with Maguire Varane, then Ole needs to go.

 

[SambaBoy]

I still think a DM who's good on the ball and mobile will improve our game no end. Fred/Matic/McTominay are all decent players, good at some things but have too many limitations.

Martial looked way off the pace, and we probably should have started Sancho and kept Greenwood down the middle. We really looked good when Pogba had the ball in central areas, and hopefully he stays fit/consistent this season as it will be a massive help.

 

[Desert Eagle]

If McFred still start with Maguire Varane, then Ole needs to go.

He's not going anywhere till at least the end of the year. Also he doesn't play Donny and Pogba has shown he's better with less defensive responsibility so we're kinda stuck for options. Surely you don't want Matic in there. What would be a cm grouping you're good with? A trio of Fred,Pogba,Bruno? Ole seems quite married to the 4-2-3-1 formation

 

[Lappen]

I see a great team when I look at the list of players, good enough to fight for the title. But watching the game no one turned up, wtf happend... the team is so much better than Southampton and with al the stupid decisions Ole throw at them, they still are better... if they really turn up for the game.
Not the first time it feels like we are waiting for someone to do something magic without putting some real effort in to the game...

Disappointed and maybe not clear-thinking but even if Ole did make some stupid decisions in my opinion, the players are the ones I blame for this unneseserly draw. And I do not believe Ole told the players to sit low as they did first half.

 

[OrcaFat]

It’s called a clearance. Better to give the ball away deep in opposition territory than in your own box.

Ah, you didn’t mean never play out from the back? Just clear it when necessary. Yeah, I doubt Ole would disagree with that.

 

[sleepehead]

I understand wanting to primarily play from the back but why do we continue to do it if we're struggling with it all game. We played right into what Southampton wanted to do and unfortunately we played into what they wanted. Our passing from the back was sloppy and they pressured us into making more and more mistakes.

 

[Devil77]

If McFred still start with Maguire Varane, then Ole needs to go.

Think you'll be in for a disappointment then as I believe that Varane is somewhat overrated in here whilst Lindelöf is underrated. The difference will not be that much. At least not enough to warrant a totally different setup.

 

[Counterfactual]

Is there a crowd factor? With the home fans back, you could predict fewer points for away teams. It's early days, but that may be happening:

This year:

Week 1:
HHHHHHAAAH
7/10 Home wins

Week 2:
HHDDHHDAA
4/9 Home wins

= 11/19 Home wins (58%)
= 5/19 Away wins (26%)

Last year:

Week 1:
AHHAAAAA
2/8 Home wins

Week 2:
HHAHAAAHHA
5/10 Home wins

=7/18 Home wins (39%)
=11/18 Away wins (61%)

Getting points away from home may be trickier this season.

 

[Hammondo]

/

Neves is more of a number-8 than NO-6, we need someone like Bissouma/Ndidi

No we need an 8.

 

[christinaa]

Unfortunately we need a fullback instead of AWB as he's not good enough.
We also need a good dcm urgently and i hate to say this but........Ole can't take us beyond this level, so we need a Conte or a class manager who can take us the next step up.
If this does not happen it's another same level season.

 

[Hammondo]

I agree with everything you said. And yes, a controller in midfield is not only a want at this point, but an imperative need.

Top ones are hard to find, and it's worrying that there are no signs of Ole looking.

 

[Member 101269]

Is the longest undefeated away record a monkey on their backs?

 

[PaulRich]

We opted to show case our glaring weaknesses from last season in the first away game of the season, with the exception of Dan James making an appearance. Wrong line up, especially the midfield duo. Surely Donny has to be given a fair crack after watching those two puff and fart their way around the pitch.