[harms]

Those are not made up categories...i believe they are called key passes

Nope. Key passes are those passes that lead directly to a shot at the goal. Pre-assists aren't really counted in football or even used often, although some argue that they should, it's more of a hockey thing.

 

[Amerifan]

Ah sure its not like United are 22 points behind Liverpool after 16 games.

Oh Wait, they are!!!

Who is “they”? Since you seem confused, let me help you, this is the United site.

 

[Bastian]

Greenwood superb, as was Williams who is showing for the ball every single time. I thought this was going to be troublesome after that first half with so little mobility and pace in the centre, but that second half couldn't have gone any better.

Whether it's a corner turned, there's been a major shift in this team.

 

[Devil may care]

Talk about a game of 2 halves, we were pedestrian in the 1st half and quick and slick in the 2nd. I never felt like we were in danger but in that first half it didn't really look like we were putting them under any real pressure, in the second half several players went up a notch and that 10 minute, 4 goal explosion was as exciting as we've seen this team produce IMO.

 

[Gator Nate]

Wasn't too bothered about the first half - mostly expected it given the lineup of nine changes and so much youth. They looked like they hadn't played together much.

Garner should be forgiven the nerves - he was partnered with Matic in the midfield.

Pereira and Mata looked pretty good, all things considered. Their ball handling and movement were good in a slower game. Mata hitting that pen and his first assist...

Young did well for moving back over to the right. I think he's less ineffective on the left. But that was a beautiful goal.

Williams put in a strong shift after looking nervy at the start.

Romero earned his wages with a strong showing and clean sheets.

Martial got little service and missed his best chance.

And Greenwood. Oh, Greenwood. An assassin in the making. I think he knew Garner fouled that guy and he was waiting a bit for it to get called back, but both goals were so powerful.

Ole said something right at halftime. I'm sure it will come out eventually. Three games on the bounce!

 

[Class of 63]

Breaking News:

Manchester United are to be reported for fielding too many over-age players in a under 23 fixture.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

First half didn't happen. Completely steamrolled them in the second.

Exactly my thoughts

 

[Sterling Archer]

Awful first half. Great ten minutes in the second. Good to see the likes of Mata and Matic shake off the rust. Greenwood is another Manchester gem.

That's three wins on the trot. When is the last time that happened? Back during the interim spell, no? Long may it continue

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

Jesus this game was last night. Following the election coverage is like a really (really) shit time machine.

 

[Withnail]

Great scoreline so looks like a game not to moan too much but the performance was far from perfect especially in the first half. We played awful football and AZ was the better team in that first half creating all the chances. In the second, suddenly we scored 4 (there was a foul before second goal though) and the game was over in 10 minutes so it sweeps all under the carpet.

LVG was totally right. We're basically a counter attacking team under Ole now no matter who the opponent is. That works when we let the big teams have the ball, defend and counter them but when we have the ball it's just not good enough. And trying to play counter attacking football against teams that has better quality than you like City is OK but against the likes of AZ at Old Trafford; it is embarrassing.

Can't see what is so special about the young players we have either. Only Greenwood will make it here imo.

Still, we needed to win the group and we did it so well done to Ole & the players but that was a game that just papers over the cracks.

Good job you didn't go in to be completely negative so.

If that's what you took from last night's game I really don't know what to say.

The performance from a mix of raw kids, squad players and a few who are over the hill was never going to be perfect.

 

[pacifictheme]

Hope so

I don't get it. Selfish pricks?

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

Beside Greenwood showing again that he might become one of the best finishers in world football there is no reason to get carried away.
AZ were pretty toothless but looked better on the ball in the first half. A better team would have caused our average defense a few problems.
In the second half they ran out of steam and we had a few moments of brilliance. Just when you wrote off Andreas as being totally useless he shows some Ronaldinho skills.
The turning point was the second goal which should not have been given. Clear foul with a shocking referee standing 4 meters beside. I had the feeling that AZ had already given up this game and had their minds turned to Sunday as their complaints have not been that urgent.
I won’t complain about the goal though.
Good game from Mata. On this level still class.

 

[BigLebowski007]

I think Greenwood was great throughout the game, not just because of 2 great finishes. Even in the first half, he was the best on the ball, worked hard as well. And yeah, brilliant finishing skills in 2nd. He is definitely a gem. Maybe we shouldn't reinforce our attack Let's focus on midfield and right winger.

 

[Zed 101]

Last nights game was what it was, like people have said from that team sheet what do you expect.... well probably not 4 goals, an up and down performance across the board, Tuanzebe worried me last night and I am a big Tuanzebe fan but last night he was very lax in possession and passing against a better side he could have dropped us in the stink.

 

[Dante]

Scary how bad we were first half. They looked way the better team. Did Martial have a touch in first 30 minutes ??

Also just to say, the atmosphere in the Stretty was unreal. No passion. Four guys in front of us turned up 10 mins after K.O. headed for drinks (?.) 38 mins. reapeared after ,maybe 60 mins, left 80 mins.

I know was kind-off dead game but why bother ..just stay in Pub?

Martial made 9 passes in 58 minutes. He's not a player to instigate a fluid attack (though he can make a fluid attack look better).

Starting with Matic, Mata, Pereira and Martial was a mistake. There was nobody on the pitch to do the boring stuff that allows better players to do the glamourous stuff. The game was crying out for Lingard or James. As it happened, Greenwood's new position playing off the CBs was enough.

 

[SteveW]

Martial made 9 passes in 58 minutes. He's not a player to instigate a fluid attack (though he can make a fluid attack look better).

Starting with Matic, Mata, Pereira and Martial was a mistake. There was nobody on the pitch to do the boring stuff that allows better players to do the glamourous stuff. The game was crying out for Lingard or James. As it happened, Greenwood's new position playing off the CBs was enough.

He rested basically everyone that played against both Spurs and City. They would have needed a break after those games. We won 4-0 giving players who needed minutes a game, risking basically nobody and now we have a fresh squad for Everton.

But let's call his team selection a mistake. Because that's what we do on here.

 

[SteveW]

I think Greenwood was great throughout the game, not just because of 2 great finishes. Even in the first half, he was the best on the ball, worked hard as well. And yeah, brilliant finishing skills in 2nd. He is definitely a gem. Maybe we shouldn't reinforce our attack Let's focus on midfield and right winger.

Outside of the goals and penalty he set up Mata for a chance with a lovely cushioned header and laid one on a plate for Martial. Lovely influential performance. Hugely impressive given he's just turned 18.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

Great result and great to finish top. However let's be realistic, it was 50mins of dogshit followed by 40mins of very good performance.

I don't understand why Ole cannot get 90 good minutes out of his team's in these lesser games. But credit where it's due he comfortably got us through the group and the kids got good game time! Well played Ole.

Chuffed for Greenwood and thought Axel was solid.

 

[Dante]

He rested basically everyone that played against both Spurs and City. They would have needed a break after those games. We won 4-0 giving players who needed minutes a game, risking basically nobody and now we have a fresh squad for Everton.

But let's call his team selection a mistake. Because that's what we do on here.

Chong on the right and Greenwood up front achieved that too.

If Ole had rested his first team whilst playing Romero as centreforward and Angel Gomes as a centreback, that would have also been a selection mistake. One doesn't totally excuse the other.

 

[SteveW]

Chong on the right and Greenwood up front achieved that too.

If Ole had rested his first team whilst playing Romero as centreforward and Angel Gomes as a centreback, that would have also been a selection mistake. One doesn't totally excuse the other.

Martial is better up front than Greenwood. Greenwood is better anywhere on a football pitch than Chong. I guess you're entitled to an opinion but this one just seems like you trying to find something to moan about.

 

[Tom Cato]

Mason Greenwood is nominated the EL Player of the week by uefa.com . We can all give the kid a nice confidence boost (assuming he ever sees it, but Im guessing UEFA will let the club know in any chance) by voting and making sure he gets rewarded with a nice footballing community stamp of approval for his performance against AZ Alkmaar: http://uelpotw.uefa.com/#/en/

 

[Bristol_Red_87]

Mason Greenwood is nominated the EL Player of the week by uefa.com . We can all give the kid a nice confidence boost (assuming he ever sees it, but Im guessing UEFA will let the club know in any chance) by voting and making sure he gets rewarded with a nice footballing community stamp of approval for his performance against AZ Alkmaar: http://uelpotw.uefa.com/#/en/

Looks like Jota has already won it, no?

 

[Sandikan]

Must admit I went off to sleep early, due to needing to get up early, so couldn't believe waking up to a "i told you Greenwood was quality" text and then seeing a 4-0 win!

Sounds good! Only the Europa and a mix and match reserve team and everything, but it's never ever a bad thing for that sort of lineup to win so easily!

 

[Bilbo]

Great result and great to finish top. However let's be realistic, it was 50mins of dogshit followed by 40mins of very good performance.

I don't understand why Ole cannot get 90 good minutes out of his team's in these lesser games. But credit where it's due he comfortably got us through the group and the kids got good game time! Well played Ole.

Chuffed for Greenwood and thought Axel was solid.

You're almost reaching the stage where you can give credit without having to add a caveat -

We all agree the first half was terrible stuff, but its not an unusual occurrence. That XI has never played together before and it was a mish-mash of players that didn't complement each other at all. It wasn't surprising that it wasn't 90 minutes of good football.

 

[jackal&hyde]

Poor first half with a few disappointing performances with some very bad passes in our own half.

Very good second half. The mid and front players stepped it up and some very good football was on display. The first goal was superb play by Pereira and Mata; very happy for them as we were on their back a lot lately. Greenwood is a future star no doubt about it; Williams had a good game too.

All in all a good game with some great performances by some of the young players and some not so good ones by others but good game time and experience for all. Good game management by Ole too.

 

[Tom Cato]

Nope. Key passes are those passes that lead directly to a shot at the goal. Pre-assists aren't really counted in football or even used often, although some argue that they should, it's more of a hockey thing.

2nd assists are a bit hard to measure since often they are more of a participation trophy than a hard contribution to the goal. In football this would more often be true due to the large pitch involved. Sometimes they are definitely key to the goal, other times it's just a lucky part in a sequence.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

You're almost reaching the stage where you can give credit without having to add a caveat -

We all agree the first half was terrible stuff, but its not an unusual occurrence. That XI has never played together before and it was a mish-mash of players that didn't complement each other at all. It wasn't surprising that it wasn't 90 minutes of good football.

There is always a caveat for me since he was made permanent because we are incredibly inconsistent. If he keeps putting lesser teams to the sword (Alkmaar are actually a better, more promising team than the likes of Newcastle or Bournemouth in my eyes which makes it even more baffling that Ole can't beat those teams in the PL) - I'll see it as true form rather than a brief purple patch.

 

[Gasolin]

Totally agree. Also, counter attacking crap does not win you many titles either

We play fast in the final third with resolve and intend. That’s SAF style. I know you know that did win titles.

 

[OldPop]

A little disappointed at Martial but assumes that Ole has given him orders to be careful, not hurt himself and save energy for the weekend. Otherwise, it's strange how he can be transformed from deadly to tame in just a few days.

The first half was just as I expected the whole game to be, sometimes it's wonderful to be wrong. It really feels like something very positive is happening in the club now and the next month will be incredibly exciting to follow.

 

[Random Task]

I don't get it. Selfish pricks?

It began here.

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/manchester-united-vs-az-alkmaar.452136/post-25038621

 

[red woppit]

Martial made 9 passes in 58 minutes. He's not a player to instigate a fluid attack (though he can make a fluid attack look better).

Starting with Matic, Mata, Pereira and Martial was a mistake. There was nobody on the pitch to do the boring stuff that allows better players to do the glamourous stuff. The game was crying out for Lingard or James. As it happened, Greenwood's new position playing off the CBs was enough.

I believe Lingard was injured, and James certainly needed a break. I thought all those mentioned had decent games, it was gonna take time in the match for Matic and Mata to get into the game, Martial looked ok, but isolated first half, and Pereira did well I thought. Europa League seems to suit Mata, Matic and Pereira, not so much pace in the game, but even so, we did look vulnerable at times through the middle with Garner and Matic there.

 

[red woppit]

A little disappointed at Martial but assumes that Ole has given him orders to be careful, not hurt himself and save energy for the weekend. Otherwise, it's strange how he can be transformed from deadly to tame in just a few days.

The first half was just as I expected the whole game to be, sometimes it's wonderful to be wrong. It really feels like something very positive is happening in the club now and the next month will be incredibly exciting to follow.

Isolated a bit first half, looked better second half (as all the players did), but nowhere near the finished article.

 

[DoomSlayer]

You're almost reaching the stage where you can give credit without having to add a caveat -

We all agree the first half was terrible stuff, but its not an unusual occurrence. That XI has never played together before and it was a mish-mash of players that didn't complement each other at all. It wasn't surprising that it wasn't 90 minutes of good football.

Also, AZ are actually a very decent team and very astute defensively, as seen by their current league form. The fact we actually scored 4 goals with the 2nd team is very surprising and encouraging.

 

[JJ12]

How has Pereira only got a 6.4 rating for that game. He was brilliant.

 

[mitchmouse]

Good result, some good performances (time for mason to start more often) but let's not get carried away: 10 good minutes was pretty much all it was

 

[red woppit]

Let's not go overboard on the 4-0, we took most of our chances, AZ missed the couple of opportunities that they had. We looked disjointed first half, understandably so, Matic was ponderous, Tuanzebe looked rusty, Garner a bit nervous. Second half when we started to press more and play in their half it was much better, even so, AZ got themselves into several very good positions in our box. Matic certainly improved as the game went on, Mata was buzzing around trying to create things, and with Pereira they managed a few openings. Chong looked better when he came on, than he has previously, as did Jones, and Laird is really good. I think it shows that players like Jones, Matic, Mata, Pereira are more comfortable in a less hectic much slower pace of a game, rather than the hustle bustle of a Premiership match. I hope we stay in the Europa League until the end, that should give many of these players a chance (wouldn't be surprised to see Matic move in January).

 

[troylocker]

Very nice tactics from Ole. Play poorly and sit back in the first half to trick them into thinking they can actually beat us and come forward....
And as soon as they leave some space behind, crush'em like a bug!

Joke aside. B-squad, good result, not risking key players and giving valuable minutes to the youngster. C- first half, B+ second half. Perfect for the occasion!

 

[Gator Nate]

Also, AZ are actually a very decent team and very astute defensively, as seen by their current league form. The fact we actually scored 4 goals with the 2nd team is very surprising and encouraging.

Now I'm interested in the result of the AZ/Ajax tie this weekend; wondering how their defense responds to that 10-minute collapse.

 

[DoomSlayer]

Now I'm interested in the result of the AZ/Ajax tie this weekend; wondering how their defense responds to that 10-minute collapse.

They have only conceded 8 goals in the league this season, it's actually crazy that we scored 4 with basically our 2nd team, bar 2 players.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

Indeed it does. I started responding to that pile of misery but even responding to it was depressing so I decided not to bother.

Me too....why bother with them? Let them wallow.