[PaulRich]

I'm actually pretty upbeat about things - we are actually looking like Manchester United in the entertainment stakes. We create plenty - sure our finishing is our Achilles heel at the minute but I'm sure JM will chop and change - hes known for showing patience and not making a knee jerk reaction but that's a few chances Zlatan has missed now so I'm sure his beady ones are watching. Tom Heaton had a worldy. Clattenburg had his usual but we need to consider our most clear cut chances occurred when we were already down to 10 - no good blaming that.

 

[catmandeu]

Being completely honest, i believe jose will drop zlatan at sone point due to his fitness . . Maybe then we will see more of martial, rashford and mikhi patner together. Today the subs were alright i think, but memphis should have been called a bit early. He is very good taking on players , who knows he might have drawn a foul in crucial areas. I think jose should look into drawing fouls by takibg players one v one by players who can do such thing, like martial or mata or memphis.

 

[minoo-utd]

Still feel so sick cause of it.

 

[Bobcat]

Best we have played in a long time, some amazing play around the box and Heaton was immense.

I don't get the comments talking about crisis - under VG we played boring fotball and had like 1 or 2 shots on target. Today we were as dominant as I can remember and it was v bad finishing combined with Heaton & bad luck.

I have faith, muh more so than in recent years. We will steadily rise up the table over the season - I don't think we'll win the PL but we will make top 4.

Exactly. We aren't getting the results currently, but the football in display is 10 times better than the depressing shite we served up last season.

With City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham and now Chelsea looking really strong i honestly think top 4 is going to get tough this year, but our team performances have been much better already

Today and vs Stoke we were absolutely robbed, and with a bit more luck we would have won those, sitting at 19 points.

 

[Parma Dewol]

I found the game really frustrating, perhaps more so than Chelsea last week. I can kind of understand it when we have an off-day and the opposition is really at it - sometimes you just get beat and have to face it.

But to completely dominate a game and not be able to win, ugh, few things are more annoying. Same happened against Stoke. The top sides have a way of winning these games. I hate to say it but City, Arsenal and even Liverpool would have found a way to cut Burnley open and finish them off.

 

[Kraftwerker]

I found the game really frustrating, perhaps more so than Chelsea last week. I can kind of understand it when we have an off-day and the opposition is really at it - sometimes you just get beat and have to face it.

But to completely dominate a game and not be able to win, ugh, few things are more annoying. Same happened against Stoke. The top sides have a way of winning these games. I hate to say it but City, Arsenal and even Liverpool would have found a way to cut Burnley open and finish them off.

Well Burnley beat Liverpool, and Arsenal only scraped past them in the last minute with a dodgy goal.

We're just not getting the same rub of the green at the moment.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I found the game really frustrating, perhaps more so than Chelsea last week. I can kind of understand it when we have an off-day and the opposition is really at it - sometimes you just get beat and have to face it.

But to completely dominate a game and not be able to win, ugh, few things are more annoying. Same happened against Stoke. The top sides have a way of winning these games. I hate to say it but City, Arsenal and even Liverpool would have found a way to cut Burnley open and finish them off.

We did cut them open, what we didn't do was the last most important thing, put the ball in the net. If we had it would have been a slaughter. They would have had to open up and we would have picked them off even more. He needs to sort that front line out.

 

[Crimson King]

He didnt have the benefit of video replays like the rest of us do.
Didn't think that was a pen to be honest,did he leave his leg after he won the ball as I havent seen those replays online ?

No Darmian wasn't looking for it in that sense, although the ref could argue he went down easily. I've still seen softer penalties given though, and the 2 ex-pros on the stream I was watching (I forget their names) both thought it was a pen at HT.

I'm more livid about Herrera's red to be honest, that just felt really unjust and I can't help but feel we may have got the breakthrough with him still on the pitch, him and Mata were playing really well.

That's the kind of shit a ref really shouldn't be getting wrong, and I feel we have every right to call him out on it.

 

[devips]

Zlatan's recent predicaments remind me of Suarez of 2011-12(probably) when most of his shots used to hit the crossbar. That changed the following year, and Liverpool almost won the league.

 

[mitchmouse]

The result probably (with the Stoke one) annoys me more than the Chelsea one. But the major plus is our passing was, at times, brilliant and we crated lots of really good chances. Of course, the negative is we missed them: in my opinion the worst offenders were Zlatan and (one from) Mata; not Rooney as some were saying on the match day forum (no surprise, though). Beginning to think we should go back to a 4-4-2. It's a while since teams used this so it might spring a surprise on opposition teams. I do wonder about Jose's subs: no Carrick was crazy; Fellaini added nothing, and it's time to gibe Miki another chance. At times I felt Burnley might do us and grab a goal but looking at the game, I'm not sure DDG touched the ball ever (ha ha). Disgraceful from Clattenburg: so clear that Anders slipped for second yellow although not entirely sure it made a difference: we might not have scored if we were still out there now

 

[Lentwood]

I would 100% rather watch that every week and come 5th than play dreadfully and scrape into 4th

Remember, we aren't trying to build a team to finish top 4, we are trying to build a team to win the league. Add a world class striker and we win that game as many as we like yesterday

Top 4 is gone though. Not because we can't make the points up but purely because Zlatan has proved we still dont have a 30 goal a season striker

 

[Jazz]

One thing I hate about drawing or losing a match is that the press goes OTT and creates a crisis and more pressure. It's not the greatest environment to build a team for any manager we have. The external factors call for our team and coaches to have super mental strength - it really is not easy. I peaked at the headlines and it's so depressing.

We might be better off just publicly saying we're building our team and accepting we'll have good and bad results in the meantime, but we know at the end of it, we'll be back stronger. That we're taking it one game at a time. I don't know, something to get people off our backs.

 

[noodlehair]

We have a striker who scores 0 goals and creates 0 goals every week, and consistently messes up easy chances to score or set up a goal for someone else. We play him every week regardless instead of dropping him, and then claim it's bad lluck when the teamm struggle to score.

If you have about 30 chances in a game and can't put a single one in the net, that isn't bad luck, it's incompetence.

At the moment it seems like massaging Zlatan's massive ego is more important than the need to score a goal once in a while. He's the only player in the team who consistently cannot do his job and who hasn't been dropped...and that IS having an impact on our results and performances.

When the one player in the team who's only there to make goals happen, can't make a single goal happen, or put the ball into the net from less than 6 yards out, that's obviously going to have a very negative impact on your ability to win games.I've not seen anything at all from Zlatan to suggest he's going to get better. Even when he was scoring his alll round performances didn't exactlly instill you with confidence in him.

 

[Irrational.]

Chicharito would've fit into this system like a hand into a glove. Chances galore for a specialist finisher.

Fecking LvG

 

[DomesticTadpole]

One thing I hate about drawing or losing a match is that the press goes OTT and creates a crisis and more pressure. It's not the greatest environment to build a team for any manager we have. The external factors call for our team and coaches to have super mental strength - it really is not easy. I peaked at the headlines and it's so depressing.

We might be better off just publicly saying we're building our team and accepting we'll have good and bad results in the meantime, but we know at the end of it, we'll be back stronger. That we're taking it one game at a time. I don't know, something to get people off our backs.

This is where Jose, like SAF builds the us and them siege mentality. That the players pull together and protect each other. Best thing we can do is ignore the daily papers and I will not be listening to Talksport. They are seriously getting on my nerves. They are all desperately trying to create a 'We told you so situation'.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Chicharito would've fit into this system like a hand into a glove. Chances galore for a specialist finisher.

Fecking LvG

Yep. That is so true. Honestly think RvP would have grabbed a couple yesterday as well.

 

[Kraftwerker]

Yep. That is so true. Honestly think RvP would have grabbed a couple yesterday as well.

Scratch that, fecking Jermain Defoe or any half decent finisher would've bagged at least a brace.

 

[Jazz]

This is where Jose, like SAF builds the us and them siege mentality. That the players pull together and protect each other. Best thing we can do is ignore the daily papers and I will not be listening to Talksport. They are seriously getting on my nerves. They are all desperately trying to create a 'We told you so situation'.

I agree. I'm just fearful this latest result will have even Jose questioning himself. Whatever he feels, he needs to stay positive for the team - for an emotional man under serious pressure, that's not going to be easy.
The next thing he needs to do is remove the dressing room leakers, as with them around, you won't have all the players pulling and protecting each other - that's a big problem as well.
I think he's trying, but this dressing room environment is so tricky - needs sorting out.

The above makes me anxious.

 

[Xaviesta]

One thing you can't put down to bad luck is that United have now gone goalless for three consecutive Premier League games, one goal in four matches. Something is not right there finishing wise.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I agree. I'm just fearful this latest result will have even Jose questioning himself. Whatever he feels, he needs to stay positive for the team - for an emotional man under serious pressure, that's not going to be easy.
The next thing he needs to do is remove the dressing room leakers, as with them around, you won't have all the players pulling and protecting each other - that's a big problem as well.
I think he's trying, but this dressing room environment is so tricky - needs sorting out.

The above makes me anxious.

As you say hopefully he can weed out the ones leaking stories. What happens in the club should stay there and be dealt with internally. Problem now is social media and people thinking everyone wants to know absolutely everything, when in fact most of us aren't interested at all.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

One thing you can't put down to bad luck is that United have now gone goalless for three consecutive Premier League games, one goal in four matches. Something is not right there finishing wise.

That's putting it mildly. We are creating chance after chance, so cannot fault anyone for that, but for goodness sake put the ball in the net.

 

[Jazz]

One thing you can't put down to bad luck is that United have now gone goalless for three consecutive Premier League games, one goal in four matches. Something is not right there finishing wise.

They need to work on their finishing, plus Jose needs to put Ibra on the bench if he's continually missing chances. Bring him on towards the end of a match we're winning where there's no pressure, to help him get back into scoring mode.

Another thing is, because we're not scoring as we should, when we get opportunities, the players are probably 'snatching' at these chances. That's all down to anxiety - the more you push sometimes, the more you miss. Happens in all sports.
The coaching team really needs to address the psychological aspect of this asap.

My suggestion is get SAF in to have a chat with the team. He understands the pressure of United, and he's the greatest motivator. No need to hire anyone else for that aspect.

 

[iHicksy]

Watched it live and didn't think the second penalty shout on Darmian was a pen, he quite clearly got the ball first - if it's the same one i'm thinking of.

 

[OneUnited24]

That's putting it mildly. We are creating chance after chance, so cannot fault anyone for that, but for goodness sake put the ball in the net.

Sums it up for me. But as SAF always used to say he would be worried if we werent making chances. Under Moyes and LvG we barely looked like scoring because we hardly created anything in games so theres definite progress there... It might sound like im clutching here but i honestly think we are on the right track, just a few minor touches required.

The front three atm is the problem. Ibra looks like he needs 5 chances to put one away. Martial has looked out of sorts and Rashford is wasted on the wing. We dont have any depth either, Memphis did nothing when he came on yesterday, Rooney/Young/Lingaard are hardly prolific. I'd give anything to have Hernandez here right now

 

[David Court]

That's putting it mildly. We are creating chance after chance, so cannot fault anyone for that, but for goodness sake put the ball in the net.

That's because you lack creativity.

You don't have a Coutinho, Ozil, Eriksen or Silva.

I remain unconvinced that Pogba was what you needed. If you are spending that sort of cash, you might have done all you could to get a Griezmann.

As for Zlatan. Despite being a former great player, at the age of 35, he was always going to struggle with the intensity and physicality of the EPL over a full season and his recent dip in form seems to confirm that.

 

[Jazz]

As you say hopefully he can weed out the ones leaking stories. What happens in the club should stay there and be dealt with internally. Problem now is social media and people thinking everyone wants to know absolutely everything, when in fact most of us aren't interested at all.

Yes, it's difficult with social media. You can ask the players to ignore that stuff - I peak on the headlines but don't open and read the articles - but doubt you can stop players from doing so. Truly they need to ignore that stuff as you and I do - but apart from Mata, these boys aren't going to go and read a book instead.

I'm just hoping we don't hear the players are unhappy shit this week - that's going to piss me the feck off.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

That's because you lack creativity.

You don't have a Coutinho, Ozil, Eriksen or Silva.

I remain unconvinced that Pogba was what you needed. If you are spending that sort of cash, you might have done all you could to get a Griezmann.

As for Zlatan. Despite being a former great player, at the age of 35, he was always going to struggle with the intensity and physicality of the EPL over a full season and his recent dip in form seems to confirm that.

We are creating though, what we are not showing is composure in front of goal, which you would think Ibra would have. I think for one in his life he is suffering a bit of a confidence dip.

 

[Verbalkint]

Hopefully we won't break David Moyes' brilliant losing streak. Very possible though, at this rate.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Yes, it's difficult with social media. You can ask the players to ignore that stuff - I peak on the headlines but don't open and read the articles - but doubt you can stop players from doing so. Truly they need to ignore that stuff as you and I do - but apart from Mata, these boys aren't going to go and read a book instead.

I'm just hoping we don't hear the players are unhappy shit this week - that's going to piss me the feck off.

Not sure the players are unhappy at all. In fact I think that after yesterday they are feeling badly done to. If that comes out this week, I would not believe a word of it.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Hopefully we won't break David Moyes' brilliant losing streak. Very possible though, at this rate.

We didn't lose yesterday, what I am worried about is us drawing too many games that we should be winning. We need to turn those draws into win.

 

[Cooksen]

We will play a lot worse in the future and win.

That game was just one of those games where everything goes against you need to move on and focus on the next game

 

[Jazz]

Not sure the players are unhappy at all. In fact I think that after yesterday they are feeling badly done to. If that comes out this week, I would not believe a word of it.

I don't think the majority are. Just the few who love going to the press when we have a bad result and obviously only care about themselves. That kind of stuff is disruptive, hence my argument that players not 100% committed need to be shown the door asap.

 

[Green_Red]

Anyone who listened to Sean Dyche on radio 5 lives podcast during the week wont be surprised. Sounds like is instilling a seige mentality in his side and is very focused on fitness being the key way to try to nullify the gap in technical ability between his side and the other sides in the league. Hes doing well considering most of us never heard of him up until about 8 months ago.

 

[Rampant-red]

Just one of those days. Another time we would have scored 6.

 

[Rory 7]

Almost 24 hours later and I'm still struggling to come to terms with the fact Zlatan let me down on a massive accumulator win. And yes, I know it's the wrong thread but I am suffering from Post United v Burnley stress.

 

[Catt]

Almost 24 hours later and I'm still struggling to come to terms with the fact Zlatan let me down on a massive accumulator win. And yes, I know it's the wrong thread but I am suffering from Post United v Burnley stress.

I'm usually over it quickly but this was a hard one as we should've won by a big margin.

 

[Rory 7]

I'm usually over it quickly but this was a hard one as we should've won by a big margin.

We should. It is one of the tougher pills to swallow for sure. The only silver lining I see is that we are capable of winning 7/8 on the bounce. If we do that in this league we might win it.

 

[Ixion]

I am actually OK with the result, basically over it already. The Chelsea game bothered me for days but this we did everything right.

 

[acrebo]

A very frustrating day but it's so much better than 12 months ago, so we're heading in the right direction.

Ibra's form is concerning, even though he's doing everything right up to the point of finishing. That's a confidence thing, not ability, so I'm quite relaxed he'll find it again.

Mata is really finding form so I'm a bit surprised he was taken off, even if he was the logical choice after Herrera's red. Rashford seems to be struggling playing full 90 minutes at the moment so I think he needs to be on the bench for a couple weeks.

Maybe Martial up front and Mkhi in for Rashford for a couple games? Keep Lingard wide right and Mata central. Pogba and Herrera / Schneiderlin is how I'd go I think.

The goals will come, we need to just get comfortable with the truth that we can't just fix 3 years of damage in a few months.

 

[Zlaatan]

That's because you lack creativity.

You don't have a Coutinho, Ozil, Eriksen or Silva.

I remain unconvinced that Pogba was what you needed. If you are spending that sort of cash, you might have done all you could to get a Griezmann.

As for Zlatan. Despite being a former great player, at the age of 35, he was always going to struggle with the intensity and physicality of the EPL over a full season and his recent dip in form seems to confirm that.

No, it doesn't seem to confirm that and can we please stop with these BS arguments? His problem is that he can't get the ball into the back of the net and his touch is letting him down at times.

Can you give me an example where the intensity and physicality made him struggle?
Btw, which game this season has been more intense and physical than what an "old guy" can cope with?