Manchester United vs. FC Basel

Our defence as a whole has been average this season, individually Smalling and Jones have done well.
But we've been forced to chop and change our defence almost every game, it's not helping.
That and Carrick and Anderson don't stop the opposition getting into those dangerous areas much.

We've been playing a much more open style of football this season, when teams try to play a high-tempo pressing game - like Basle are doing now - they will get chances.

Seems like a 'you score two, we'll score three' approach. Perversely, I like it.

But as you said, part of that is down to the unsettled defence. When Vida gets back and we have something of a settled defence the spaces and chances will lessen.
 
Basel are pretty decent, aren't they?


Just can't score for sh*t.
 
Rio Ferdinand has been very shaky in this game. The whole defence, with the exception of Evra needs to step up.. Horrendous and amateurish defending so far.

As someone already pointed out. The amount of chopping and changing back there does not help.

Fabio looks a bit lost and Rio really looks off the pace. But its great that we have this handy game to sort a few things out
 
the constant changing of the back four (enforced I know) has meant they are defending as individuals and not as a unit.
 
City 1-0 down
 
Owen Hargreaves behind Evra at that throw-in there.
 
We've been playing a much more open style of football this season, when teams try to play a high-tempo pressing game - like Basle are doing now - they will get chances.

Seems like a 'you score two, we'll score three' approach. Perversely, I like it.

But as you said, part of that is down to the unsettled defence. When Vida gets back and we have something of a settled defence the spaces and chances will lessen.

Yeah I've notcied this, also players like Smalling and Jones add more attackingly than most defenders whilst still being good.

But I would be very worried if we had to play Bayern, Barca or Real right now.
 
As good as Smalling and Jones are, we will be so much better when Vidic and Rio are reunited.

Also, does anyone else see similarities between Welbeck and Saha??