[Pscholes18]

There were dull games in Fergie era and we won 1-0 at home. Nothing to complain about. That's football. Move on to next!

Difference being that this side has a dull game every fecking week. A lot of you should be worried....you're starting to accept mediocrity as a standard at United.

 

[wolvored]

We had 58% of the ball and had double the amount of shots they had, three times more before we scored. But yeah, we were dominated.

Its what we did with the ball. What were the stats around the penalty box? 4 shots on target according to BBC. A deflected goal otherwise we would have egg on our faces again. It doesnt matter how much you bury your head in the sand, the performance was poor, and if we struggle against the likes of Brighton, then how are we going to win the big trophies?

 

[JohnnyKills]

Firing a manager without a solid plan at all is even more stupid and will just take us backwards.

That's why I said we wait until the end of the season, which gives us eight months to find someone.

 

[Sgeorge]

Another game going in with great expectations but in the end a lackluster performance. Rashford doesn't look like he will be a winger, neither does he want to nor does he has the skill to play there. Jose is still figuring out the best system and also players getting back from injury might need a couple of games to settle in.

Mikhi came on, that was a positive but he still lacks confidence. If he comes good then I think him and Martial should be the wide players. Lindelof was good which was a surprise. Overall the back four played pretty well. Pogba and the front players lacked the dynamism,with Mata and Rash the main culprits. Happy that we won, but performance wise we are still not there.

 

[SachinJ22]

I'm not sure if you're aware, but most managers play differently based on the opposition. We allowed more space to Brighton's attackers because we knew that their attack was not better.

We would not play with that front 4 if we were away from home to a good team. Because their attack would be better and we would be punished. We made the wager that we would play lots of attackers and come out on top.

I know we can't dominate every match but we have to dominate a team which was newly promoted, allowing more space to other team and underestimating their attack is a risky tactic. Lucky we got a deflected goal but the same thing could have happened to them. Our attackers were ineffective, an LB was our best attacker and that says a lot about your team. All our attackers tuck in and want to play in the middle, at one point at the beginning of the game Mata was shouting at Rashford because he was out of position and Mata was in his position on the wings. I know that switching positions between the attackers is also a tactic but I don't know why Mata was shouting at Rashford.

 

[bosnian_red]

Confident that we would've won it even if we didn't get that deflected goal. We were turning the screw more and more as the game went on and they were getting deeper and deeper, and eventually you break through. Not like it was a late goal really anyway. Wasn't a very good attacking performance of course, Martial was quiet, rashford pretty invisible and wasteful when he had the ball, lukaku worked hard but nothing special, pogba decent at best, defence solid. Lindelof did well and is looking much better (confidence does wonders), and Young probably motm for me.

Oh and Mata was shit. He does next to nothing when he plays. Pretty much a waste of space these days, I'd rather play Herrera/fellaini from the start for the added security in midfield and give more license for Pogba to push forward, leave martial and rashford further forward with a bit less defensive responsibility so they can have more freedom. Feel like it'd be more effective. Mkhitaryan when he's on form can be very creative and make something out of nothing and look quality, but he's one of the most inconsistent players I've ever seen and when he's off he is awful. Not too reliable. Mata though just passes the ball back to who gave it to him pretty much.

 

[Afamdi]

A performance that will send shockwaves throughout the league.

You can't be serious

 

[breakout67]

I know we can't dominate every match but we have to dominate a team which was newly promoted, allowing more space to other team and underestimating their attack is a risky tactic. Lucky we got a deflected goal but the same thing could have happened to them. Our attackers were ineffective, an LB was our best attacker and that says a lot about your team. All our attackers tuck in and want to play in the middle, at one point at the beginning of the game Mata was shouting at Rashford because he was out of position and Mata was in his position on the wings. I know that switching positions between the attackers is also a tactic but I don't know why Mata was shouting at Rashford.

A team being newly promoted doesnt mean much. What matters is the qualities of the team. Brighton have a good defensive shape and a solid target man. They are a very english side like Tony Pulis' teams that make it difficult and try to counter attack.

This was not a perfect performance, but I enjoyed the game because even though we were playing poorly we showed a very good response in the second half.

I think that the front 4 of Mata, Martial, Lukaku, Rashford doesnt work. Not enough movement or midfield control. One of them has to be dropped.

 

[Jojo <3 Mou]

We won! Yaaaay!!!
I'm worried though. Today wasn't a one off. We have looked shaky since about October. Pogba was supposed to make it better and today was kinda a new low. We looked shaky in defense, no midfield and impotent in attack.

 

[Sultan]

We'll all forget this game in a few days. With plenty of games coming up fortunately we only have a couple of days for the next match.

 

[K2K]

That's why I said we wait until the end of the season, which gives us eight months to find someone.

Who's suddenly going to spring up in 8 months?

And if we are only starting to look for someone in 8 months that means our whole transfer window is ruined. Also harms our pre-season. If we are to bring in someone, we must have someone in mind now. It's obvious there is no one.

Your plan seems to just fire the current guy and then we will see as it goes.

 

[SachinJ22]

After this match I think this is our best line-up:

Rashford instead of Martial and Lingard instead of Mkhi if either Mkhi or Martial are out of form. Before anyone says Mkhi has been shit, I would like to tell them that anyone who was played in that position has been shit. The players look like they haven't played with each other because too much rotation has been going on in the front 4 expect Lukaku.

 

[Organic Potatoes]

We need to clone Pogba.

 

[breakout67]

Who's suddenly going to spring up in 8 months?

And if we are only starting to look for someone in 8 months that means our whole transfer window is ruined. Also harms our pre-season. If we are to bring in someone, we must have someone in mind now. It's obvious there is no one.

Your plan seems to just fire the current guy and then we will see as it goes.

To be fair thats what the United board seem to do. Going from LVG to Mourinho makes no sense.

 

[Jeffthered]

Difference being that this side has a dull game every fecking week. A lot of you should be worried....you're starting to accept mediocrity as a standard at United.

Absolutely spot on. Aside from a 4-1 against Newcastle (which wasn't terrific, and Newcastle aren't exactly an attacking powerhouse....) we have been dreadful for a few months now. Defensively, we are pretty excellent. But Mourinho hasn't the talent to raise us as an attacking unit. He relies on buying talent, rather than having an attacking strategy unlike Klopp, Guardiola.. even Silva at Watford, and Dyche at Burnley.. at least they have an attacking game plan, you know how they play as an attacking team... We don't have that. Our defence continues to give us a chance. But our attacking play, generally, is rubbish. We lack quality in some of our players, and also seem to lack character(s). Miki, Mata, Martial... struggling to impose themselves on games. Week, after week, after week, after week.

 

[SachinJ22]

That's why I said we wait until the end of the season, which gives us eight months to find someone.

Have you thought about how much time the new manager will take to make the team play according to his tactics and new manager with want to sign new players, these new players will take time to get used to playing with our existing players. All the work which Mourinho has done will go to waste. We also don't have unlimited money to keep changing the manager and to keep bringing in new players like Man City.

 

[wiz4231]

After this match I think this is our best line-up:

Rashford instead of Martial and Lingard instead of Mkhi if either Mkhi or Martial are out of form. Before anyone says Mkhi has been shit, I would like to tell them that anyone who was played in that position has been shit. The players look like they haven't played with each other because too much rotation has been going on in the front 4 expect Lukaku.

Bailly in for Lindelof and I'll agree with that.

 

[SachinJ22]

To be fair thats what the United board seem to do. Going from LVG to Mourinho makes no sense.

Makes no sense? Really? That is the one sensible thing which our the board has done, Mourinho was the best manager who was available at that time.

 

[Lennon7]

We just really need to decide on a solid line up and stick with it for a while.

 

[siw2007]

Very poor game from us and we’re very lucky to get a win. Great work from Young for our goal. Much improved performance from Lindelof with some good tackles, unfortunately can’t say much about the others.

In a way Brighton undid themselves. When they had a player who was on the ground trying to get us to kick the ball out, all it did was wind up the crowd. By the time the contentious corner decision came around the linesman who had no clue was swayed by the riled up crowd. Brighton might have got a goal kick if their player just got on with it and left alone the subdued home support.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

Surely something encouraging like "you didn't deserve to lose". José surely appreciated their efforts and how well drilled they were defensively.

Doubt it. (might have thought it, not sure he'd say it... though he is nicer when he wins).

I reckon it was for the bad lunge on Ibra towards the end of the game.

Possible. Wasn't nice.

He seemed to hold one finger up though?

 

[Kapardin]

We need better attackers.

I'll say what everyone's been thinking. Next summer, we better sign 2 quality attackers, and we better sign them right, with atleast one of them being a lethal goal machine like Salah. Consistent, tireless, dangerous and a game-changer. I am fecking sick of us signing pansies like Mata, Depay, Mkhi in attack for the past 3 years who arrive with a lot of hype but do nothing significant, while seeing our rivals sign these other better players.

 

[BusbyMalone]

You can't be serious

Don't tell me what i can't be

 

[PieCrust]

After this match I think this is our best line-up:

Rashford instead of Martial and Lingard instead of Mkhi if either Mkhi or Martial are out of form. Before anyone says Mkhi has been shit, I would like to tell them that anyone who was played in that position has been shit. The players look like they haven't played with each other because too much rotation has been going on in the front 4 expect Lukaku.

I think the problem with this though is that we really struggle when playing a midfield 2. Especially when Pogba is one of the two since he spends so much time pushing forward, it really leaves Matic exposed far too often. But if Jose wants to get both Lukaku and Ibra in the starting XI, it will have to be a 4231 or 442.

I still think our best formation is 433. It provides balance in both offense and attack, allows Pogba more freedom w/o exposing Matic.

 

[breakout67]

Makes no sense? Really? That is the one sensible thing which our the board has done, Mourinho was the best manager who was available at that time.

You missed the context. Mourinho wouldnt have been available if it wasn't for his horrible season at Chelsea. This tells us that the board had no idea who would succeed LVG and picked Mourinho because he was available.

If the board knew what they were doing, they would have planned to have Mourinho succeed SAF. But they got Mourinho by chance.

 

[K2K]

To be fair thats what the United board seem to do. Going from LVG to Mourinho makes no sense.

I can see the logic in that.

They simply wanted to a top manager in charge. Its Van Gaal that made no sense, as his football didnt match any of our squad at all and that led to that massive clearance by LVG that was a monumental waste of money.

 

[Sentient Meat]

I don't know why so many are scapegoating Mata, he had a few slightly errant passes and got dispossessed a couple times but he's still one our best technical players and it wasn't his fault all their defenders were stacked in the penalty area. Both he and Martial need space to do their magic and it was like a scene from the Walking Dead in their 18 yard box.

Lukaku is more of a concern than anyone, it makes me think we should have got Morata instead, especially to pair with Ibrahimovic, but I'm guessing Zlatan only has another year left in him maximum so in the long run it should be fine.

Lindelof did seem better except he was reckless with that tackle and lucky to get away with it. Maybe Valencia didn't seem as effective is usual, I was surprised to see one of the Brighton defenders out run him once and dispossess him.

Like everyone else, I was disappointed with the football, but then again the American announcers said this was the first time since 1994 we had won our first 7 home matches, so how bad can it be? It only feels poor because City is playing at a historic pace.

 

[CM]

We need better attackers.

I'll say what everyone's been thinking. Next summer, we better sign 2 quality attackers, and we better sign them right, with atleast one of them being a lethal goal machine like Salah. Consistent, tireless, dangerous and a game-changer. I am fecking sick of us signing pansies like Mata, Depay, Mkhi in attack for the past 3 years who arrive with a lot of hype but do nothing significant, while seeing our rivals sign these other better players.

Players like Salah would be shite in this system. I imagine Mkhitaryan would be held in much higher regard if he played in a similar setup.

 

[Kapardin]

Players like Salah would be shite in this system. I imagine Mkhitaryan would be held in much higher regard if he played in a similar setup.

We need to stop blaming the system and accept the fact that we have some average players. Jose is not responsible for him playing like a pub player.

 

[JoaquinJoaquin]

Difference being that this side has a dull game every fecking week. A lot of you should be worried....you're starting to accept mediocrity as a standard at United.

And to think people used to laugh at Liverpool fans for that.

We still have the right man for the job in Jose, but the lack of game plan is a major concern. Fergie always had a game plan, even if we had games in which we were poor.

 

[BeforeKeanetherewasRobson]

After this match I think this is our best line-up:

Rashford instead of Martial and Lingard instead of Mkhi if either Mkhi or Martial are out of form. Before anyone says Mkhi has been shit, I would like to tell them that anyone who was played in that position has been shit. The players look like they haven't played with each other because too much rotation has been going on in the front 4 expect Lukaku.

I want Pogba pushing forward (very little defensive work) and Matic defending (support back four, simple passing). A midfield 3 allows that.

With a midfield 2 (whether 4231 or 442) they have to have support both ways around them, not sure they'd get much support from Zlatan, Martial or Mkhi.

Know what you mean about Mkhi position but I wouldn't have Mkhi anywhere near first XI regardless of formation (and that's not jumping on the bandwagon, not been a fan (as posted) since start of the season).

Think it's 4-3-3 (4-5-1) until we get another MF and wide/creative player.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We need two attacking fullbacks plus a proper attacking wide man for the right.

 

[CM]

We need to stop blaming the system and accept the fact that we have some average players. Jose is not responsible for him playing like a pub player.

He hasn't been playing well but neither have many of the very good players around him. It's easy to bemoan not signing players like Salah, Mane and whoever else but we don't play football in the way Liverpool do.

 

[Oakie]

Well chavs vs pool Draw should show what an important win it was today 3 points and only us on citys tail

 

[Pscholes18]

Players like Salah would be shite in this system. I imagine Mkhitaryan would be held in much higher regard if he played in a similar setup.

This....it's hard to Mkhi when the rest of the team just stands around ball watching. Alot of talented attackers would struggle in this side.

 

[Z2United]

Another game another 3 points. I guess thats the good news. However our recent games are the most lackluster ones i have watched in a long long time. Last season i felt we were unlucky not to get more points out of our performances and that was a frustrating feeling. This season i feel we are very lucky to have the points we do have.

There is very little enjoyment from watching the games atm :/

 

[Robbo's Shoulder]

Not a bad day now is it?

 

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

You guys know that there's a big difference beetween "accept mediocrity" and "try to understand the state of the team after three years of piss poor decisions made by the board/last two managers", right?

I mean, no one is saying that United are currently playing like Brazil'86. There's a long way to go, a lot of rectifying to do, but, hey, I rather see this team build itself towards something than the shitefest from LVG and Moyes.

 

[Random Task]

With Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool all dropping points today (plus I fancy Huddersfield to get a result against City) a hard earned 1-0 win against the battlers of Brighton is looking rather sweet. Perspective and all that.

 

[Leftback99]

We aren't that much better with Pogba than without. We still struggle to pass the ball in the opposition's half. Fortunate win today, worrying signs for the 3 games coming up.