[Djemba-Djemba]

SAF was certainly more pragmatic than nostalgia leads some fans to recall. But over the course of his career, Fergie left no-one in any doubt that he loved attacking football.

With Mourinho it feels like we're reverting to last season's safety first football already, at a point when it hardly seems necessary. As I say, last night was as low risk as a competitive football game gets in terms of context, and Benfica were a bit more lively than last time but still very average. Are we only going to go for it in games against completely passive opponents where we also have a full week off after the game? Because entertaining games are going to be very thin on the ground if that's the case.

I just hope that Mourinho has viewed this tricky little run of games between the two international breaks as one of those where its better to just get through it in tact, and we'll see a little more ambition from the Newcastle game onwards.

I think that's a good shout.

We had a run at one point of 6 away games in 7 and going a month without playing at home. And then when we finally are at home again it's a huge game against Spurs who had won something like 8 away in a row up to then.

You'd think once we get some players back and the fixture list eases we'll be better to watch.

 

[Uniquim]

He's only 18 years old, haven't played a single game for United, yet he has 2 goals for us already. I'd say we should look into buying Svilar in January. Those are amazing stats for an 18 year old.

He's the next Rashford.

 

[Gasolin]

He's only 18 years old, haven't played a single game for United, yet he has 2 goals for us already. I'd say we should look into buying Svilar in January. Those are amazing stats for an 18 year old.

He's the next Rashford.

You're evil man... that was harsh .

 

[Offside]

He's only 18 years old, haven't played a single game for United, yet he has 2 goals for us already. I'd say we should look into buying Svilar in January. Those are amazing stats for an 18 year old.

He's the next Rashford.

To be fair the one in Lisbon will 100% go down as a Rashford goal

 

[simonhch]

And he needs to learn how to cook tofu.

That’s funny tbf

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Better tonight than Huddersfield but I don't think we've been anything more than average for about a month(can't agree we were very good against Spurs. In fact haven't seen anyone other than yourself hold that opinion).

This team is resilient, determined and well drilled. So it can get along without doing much for a while. At some point though we have to start playing genuinely well and consistently so. We're playing with fire right now and will start to get caught out otherwise. I don't see this team having the quality to pick and choose when to perform. It needs some momentum.

By brilliant I just mean a really competitive performance full of quality football. I think we've done that at Chelsea a good number of times. We've just had a shit load of bad luck down there.

Any of these D’s and L’s stick in your memory as being “really competitive and full of quality football”? I would honestly struggle to think of a single one. Stamford Bridge has been our kryptonite for about as long as I can remember.

 

[misterredmist]

tbf we won the Europa League last year. I wouldn't say that makes us big dogs or anything, but its not like playing in Europe is a new experience to this group of players, particularly against the quality of teams that are in our group.

Of course, we are not pulling up any trees, however, we've been dog sh*t in the recent UCL group stages, again, against relatively, so called 'inferior' opposition....

 

[redflair]

There's a sterile cloud hanging over the team at the moment.

But at least when the Pink Panther returns we'll get entertainment, individualism, a strut, and perhaps a better playing style.

Him along, with Zlatan - and maybe Ozil - would bring that sorely-needed 'excitement' which would be a welcome corrective to Jose's Jack Dee impersonation.

 

[ice-bionic red]

Why won’t he play martial and Rashford supporting Lukaku? A great chance to do that last night. I think they’d be a devastating front 3

 

[KN5]

"they should have scored so it's a fake scoreline"

"Messing over who takes the penalty was embarrassing"

Genuine quotes from the match thread.

Rudi. If anything the second penalty showed how much depth we have and how willing our players are for even a left back to take a penalty in confidence.

 

[cyberman]

I agree with @Dobbs. We've seem to play well at Chelsea for a few years only for Atkinson to give every 50/50 game changing decision in Chelseas favour.
Its not like Liverpool where we seem to go into our shell.
There was a few years ago when Chelsea were outplayed when Lingard scored and they scored in the 90th minute or the year before that when we actually dominated the play only for Hazard to score from their one chance

 

[Dobbs]

Any of these D’s and L’s stick in your memory as being “really competitive and full of quality football”? I would honestly struggle to think of a single one. Stamford Bridge has been our kryptonite for about as long as I can remember.

I never said the results were good. So not sure why you're quoting them. But we have had plenty of performances where we've matched Chelsea on their own turf only to be scuppered by the ref or just the cruel nature of football.

Both of LvG's games there were good. We deserved to win at least one of them. LvG never stopped going on about it so surprised you've forgotten. Then you look at Moyes' game there. No Rooney or RvP available. Fergie's last game there saw us concede two own goals. 2011 they won with a penalty that never was. Luiz should have been sent off(Not for the first time). Vidic was. I could go on.

I don't normally cite bad luck but we really have been cursed down there. Again I'm really surprised this has never occurred to you.

 

[sunama]

4 wins out of 4, only one goal conceded and we're in a better position right now than any other group leader. One more point from our final two matches wins us the group.

But we aren't playing exciting football and I am bored out of mind every game. Why can't we just lose 3-0 like Chelsea, at least it is entertaining. Am I right?

 

[Klopp_De_Klown]

Quality

We played to keep it tight and we did in the main. Funnily enough we gifted them some sitters which is not like us in general but we got away with it. So whats that, 4 goals conceeded in all comps? Thats a positive we need to bang on about a bit more.

So obvious that Lukaku is jaded he just is lacking the spark he had at the start, in a couple of weeks Zlatan will be able give him a break and rotating all of the front 4 will be normal. Not just Rash and Tony. But for now it is what it is.

Resting Ander Jones Tony V and Young was needed and pity Jess took a knock as he adds a lot of work and pace to our attack when brought off the bench. The Mkhi role is proving a problem when Mkhi loses form as is has at present. However he did seem a bit sharper on tuesday evening. Not his best but at least not as bad as in the last few games.

I know the Fifa/FM brigade aren't too happy but they have hardley ever kicked a ball in anger much less an opponent. Want 4-0 wins week in and out and dont understand sometimes you have to earn the right to play football and have to go through the ugly stuff as teams resort back to not coming out to play against you.

Liverpool got off light as they were at home and we got all the flack when really the onus was on them and its their lack of adventure or risk which nullified the game. They were happy to accept the point at home knowing full well we'd tear em asunder if they opened up and nearly did the smash n grab with Lukakus chance had he of gone near post and not across the keeper. For which sky and others are only too happy to push the lie to the masses. True we could of been braver but thats not the Jose way. Its football by the numbers. Until teams become afraid on sitting deep due to lack of success and decide attack as an acceptable risk to earn 3 points where they will almost certainly lose them anyway.

Again slated against spurs and for what? Absoloutely locking out one of the best teams in europe. And dont go on about the Dele chance, he was held by Mike and closed down by DDG, rushed into the touch and thats good defending. Plus DDG never had a save to make all game. Where we could of had a couple more if a little luck gone our way.

And now Benifca. Missing 5 or 6 from the first 11 yes we were sloppy at the back and in attack which made them look a little better but we were good value for the win without impressing really. All the while looking reasonably solid against a team who had to win and take a few risks.

Yes we are not the finished article yet but we are getting there. In light of the Real result how good was our performance and 3 points against spurs now! Should we do Chelsea on Sunday who can argue we are an altogether better side this year with still the prospect of the return of our wounded. I remember many many tight boring games under SAF and with much less ado about it. But like I already said sometimes you just have to earn the right to play football.

 

[marlowe78]

I just got done watching and I honestly don't know what to think about it. It's another one of many games under Mourinho where the result never looks in doubt but it's hard to find any kind of real positives in the individual or overall team performances. I think on the whole, our entire game was sloppy. I can't even say that our defence was particularly good because De Gea did have to make a couple of very good saves and Bailly, who looked like he was stopping for naps at various points, almost handed Benfica a goal with his careless pass to Smalling in the 2nd half.

Up front, we simply look out of balance in the way we set up. Pogba is obviously a big loss but we also keep playing Mata on the wing even though it's been obvious for a long time now that he can't play as a winger and keeps moving centrally, pretty much taking up the same area as Lingard. The logical thing to do is play Mata as a 10 and put Lingard on the wing where his runs can help stretch the defence and supply an extra man to defend, but we never do that...I think Mata had a decent game overall but if Jose is reluctant to play him where he would be best accommodated, then he should sell him in January and get someone else.

Martial provided the most excitement with his runs at defenders, it was unfortunate that he couldn't quite get the last move right. Also should have done better on the penalty, which brings his performance to about a 6/10 but could've been as high as 8 or 9 with some luck. Martial is about the only attacker showing some kind of form at the moment, except for maybe Rashford. Lukaku is running around like a headless chicken and must feel a ton of pressure to score when he's only seeing a couple of chances per game.

Matic and McTominay were a pretty solid pairing in midfield. McTominay was in and out of the game but he looked composed and made some nice breakups of play. Matic lucked out for his goal but hopefully that gets some of his shooting confidence back because his ability to score can be very valuable for us.

Smalling and Darmian had good games defensively. Blind was wayward with his crossing (if that's what those balls into stands were intended as) but he read the game well and took his penalty nicely. Bailly, I rate him highly but I'd like to know what runs through his head at times. There are stretches where he looks top class and then the next moment he'll pull totally crap moves and nearly cost us. Hopefully that gets sorted out as he matures.

No matter how crap we looked, it was 3 points and we're on to the knockouts ahead of schedule, which is always a plus. I'll gave the performance a 5 out of 10. Mediocre, but 3 points all the same. (Yawn) Come on, United!

 

[Bestietom]

I would rather win Ugly than play great and lose.

 

[Redlyn]

I just realised (though unlikely) that we could have 3 teams on 12 points in our group assuming complete meltdown by us and continued meltdown by Benefica. Wonder if that has that ever happened. To have 12 points and not qualify.

 

[Eli Zee]

I would rather win Ugly than play great and lose.

I would rather win beautifully than win ugly. But also I would rather win ugly than play great and lose. And there’s always a bigger risk of losing when you try to play beautifully compared to mourinho’s defense first approach

 

[Redlyn]

I would rather win beautifully than win ugly. But also I would rather win ugly than play great and lose.

Must be in the minority here with this controversial preference!

 

[Trizy]

I just realised (though unlikely) that we could have 3 teams on 12 points in our group assuming complete meltdown by us and continued meltdown by Benefica. Wonder if that has that ever happened. To have 12 points and not qualify.

Happened Arsenals group in 2013-14. 3 teams finished one 12 points and Napoli lost out on GD.

 

[Redlyn]

Happened Arsenals group in 2013-14. 3 teams finished one 12 points and Napoli lost out on GD.

Ok thanks. That's brutal.

 

[Trizy]

Ok thanks. That's brutal.

Actually it might be down to head to head and not goal difference, I'm not sure. Either way, Napoli had the lesser of the 3.

 

[carlosp]

I just realised (though unlikely) that we could have 3 teams on 12 points in our group assuming complete meltdown by us and continued meltdown by Benefica. Wonder if that has that ever happened. To have 12 points and not qualify.

They would have to score many goals against us for United not to go through.

 

[carlosp]

Why won’t he play martial and Rashford supporting Lukaku? A great chance to do that last night. I think they’d be a devastating front 3

No backup striker then. When Zlatan comes back, it will be a different story.

 

[Android1974]

No backup striker then. When Zlatan comes back, it will be a different story.

Even then, there will remain the question of speed. Won us the Tottenham game.

 

[ice-bionic red]

No backup striker then. When Zlatan comes back, it will be a different story.

I think it’s the pace thing and not the fact there’s no back up striker.
Mata and Mkhitaryan are not blessed with the speed of Rashford and Martial. But I hope you’re right.

Jose telling the press he played them together vs Swansea in the cup is missing the point! The fans want to see them both supporting Lukaku

 

[EyeInTheSky]

Any of these D’s and L’s stick in your memory as being “really competitive and full of quality football”? I would honestly struggle to think of a single one. Stamford Bridge has been our kryptonite for about as long as I can remember.

I remember a handful of shocking refereeing that tip the scale considerably but mostly we were ranging from poor to uninspired.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Any of these D’s and L’s stick in your memory as being “really competitive and full of quality football”? I would honestly struggle to think of a single one. Stamford Bridge has been our kryptonite for about as long as I can remember.

Maybe the 3-3 when we scored our goals in second half. Bar that game, we rarely show up there. It's weird, I have a better memory of the win back in '02 (when I was 11) than I do of any other game since.